Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Rennison, Louise. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. Harper Tempest, 1999. ISBN 0-06-447227-2

Think Diary of a Wimpy Kid for tweens, without the illustrations, and one can pretty much have an accurate idea of what this book is about. Although critically acclaimed and with awards to its name (http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Angus-Thongs-Full-Frontal-Snogging-Louise-Rennison/?isbn=9780064472272) I would personally re-title this book "Diary of a Petty, Shallow Tween."

Now, don't misunderstand me. I laughed out loud at portions of the story, and most definitely felt as if I was reading the actual diary of quite a few of the tweens and young teens I work with regularly. However I would argue that the narrative is a reflection of a popular perception, but in reality a narrow representation of "tweendome" as we know it today.

Set in England (with a glossary in the back for us "American-type chums"), the character of Georgia Nicolson can be summed up in the following quotes:
1. "I have no friends. Not one single friend. No one has rung, no one has come around...I may as well be dead."
2. "I love my life! Jas has just phoned to say we've been invited to a party..."
3. "the only way I will believe in God is if something really bloody great happens to me soon."

The emotional rollercoaster of a protagonist alternates between highs and lows, detests her family most of the time, is obsessed with boys and "snogging" (aka "kissing" -- even to the point of visiting a professional snogger in order to learn the art) and is completely self-absorbed in an immature, comedic way.

Which, in reality, does describe the life of a typical tween. However, although every tween girl surely does experience these emotions and will be able to identify with the character, the extreme level of Georgia's shallowness will frustrate many. Young girls with socially conservative or religious backgrounds (who see relationships between the opposite sex as a serious matter, not something to be traded around like a baseball card), or girls who are involved in sports, the arts and academics (giving them a goal to strive for rather than finding their identity solely in their popularity) may not enjoy this book.

Over-all, a good look into the life of a tween, being an enthralling read for tweens that may identify, and the laugh-out-loud hilarity give it high marks, but there are also tweens (and parents) who may strongly dislike the loose morals and shallowness of the main character.