Zigzag By Ellen Wittlinger

Wittlinger, E. (2003). Zigzag. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 0689849966

Plot Summary:Robin is a junior in high school and her boyfriend Chris, is a graduating senior who will soon be attending Georgetown. With Chris being her first and only boyfriend, Robin is absolutely dreading the day he leaves even though they have the whole summer together. Soon, Chris finds out that his parents are offering him a summer program in Italy. Devastated, Robin decides to take up her Aunt Dory’s offer to drive across the country with her and her two bratty cousins. In result of the recent death of her aunt’s husband, the family is overrun with emotions. Although her two cousins, Marshall and Iris, are nearly impossible to deal with, Robin builds a strong bond with her relatives. They experience an incredible growth that changes their lives drastically. Although Robin never had any desires to leave her hometown, traveling across the United States made her discover the never-ending possibilities.

Critical Evaluation:When I first began reading the story, I found Robin’s character to be quite needy and annoying. Her endless complaints about her boyfriend’s departure were constant and frustrating. Readers will truly feel as if they are in the middle of the relationship with the constant complaints. When her Aunt Dory invites her to go on the cross-country road trip along with her two stuck up cousins, Marshall and Iris, the story doesn’t seem like it will take a turn for a better. Considering Dory’s husband and passed away just seven months prior, the family was in emotional turmoil. However, throughout the trip, readers will see an incredible growth in both Robin and her cousins that was completely unexpected. I loved how her relationship with her cousins evolves from extreme dislike into a deep friendship. They all experience the beautiful features of various states and enjoy the simple way of living.

Information about the Author: Ellen Wittlinger is an author of several young adult novels. She was born in Belleville, Illinois and has lived in various states throughout the country. After having two kids and becoming a children's librarian, she decided to begin writing novels for young adults.

Annotation:Having difficulty dealing with her boyfriend’s departure to Italy, Robin decides to take a road trip from Chicago to Illinois with her aunt and her two spoiled cousins. Little does she know how this trip will change her and her family.

Genre: Road travel and romance

Curriculum Ties: United States Geography, health education

Booktalking Ideas: : Imagine taking an incredible zigzag road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. You would get to meet new people, see exciting places, and experience new perspectives on life. Now imagine that you have to do this with your two selfish, bratty, rude, and ungrateful cousins whose father just died. This is what Robin had to deal with on her cross-country road trip after finding out her boyfriend will be in Italy for the summer. But find out how her trip ended up with hidden surprises.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: : Sexual innuendos, bulimia
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Reason for Inclusion: The story of family relations is quite touching and eye-opening. The author has a great reputation for her other YA novels. Wittlinger received the Printz Honor for the book Hard Love.