Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle

While Carly puts on jeans and tie-dyed shirts, her mother is always impeccably dressed in brand-name clothing. Though their parents are well-off, neither Carly nor Anna are materialistic. What makes Anna uncomfortable is her changing body, but instead of dressing provocatively and slathering on makeup or going in the opposite direction and covering up in layers, she just keeps wearing her usual clothes, which are pretty mainstream-modest. Carly knows she lives a privileged life, but unlike the equally rich characters in so many books these days, it makes her uncomfortable. Myracle infuses her story with realism, especially when Carly considers and confronts some of the unfair stereotypes in her school and community. Carly doesn't stand for it when people are rude to her or her sister, and she knows how to handle things when adults are condescending or try to pull the wool over her eyes. Myracle's trademark tell-it-like-it-is writing serves her well. She has strength of conviction and a good moral compass. and she worries that soon, Anna will outgrow her.Ĭarly is a great narrator. She wonders what will happen on the day that she can't bail Anna out.

On the very first day of school, Anna gets hit on by a number of boys, one of whom pulls a stunt which accidentally gets her in trouble with the headmaster - and Carly's the one who gets her out of it.

Even though she's barely a freshman, Anna suddenly looks like the older sister. so that she could be in the same gym class as her baby sister.īut when Carly returns from her summer away, she finds that her sister has grown up, not in height or emotional or mental maturity so much as in curves. Anna clearly looks up to Carly, and Carly looks out for Anna. Carly's looking forward to the new school year because Anna will be joining her on the high school campus. Her work outdoors strengthened her body and her mind, and gave her a new appreciation for the world outside of her wealthy town and her prestigious Christian prep school.Ĭarly and her younger sister Anna have always been thick as thieves. After spending the summer working a labor-intensive job in Tennessee with the Student Conservation Association, fifteen-year-old Carly comes back to her home in Atlanta with a new perspective on life, her priorities, and the future.

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle