Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Popular Aussie writer Jaclyn Moriarty, author of the smash debut, Feeling Sorry for Celia avoids the notorious sophomore slump with this bouncy epistolary follow-up that is brimming with self-confidence and charm. In The Year of Secret Assignments, a tenth grade English teacher attempts to unite feuding schools by launching a pen-pal project. Best friends Cassie, Emily and Lydia initiate the correspondence, and are answered by Matthew, Charlie and Seb. Emily and Lydia are more than pleased with their matches, but quiet Cassie has a frightening experience with Matthew. When Lydia and Emily discover that Matthew has threatened their fragile friend, the Ashbury girls close ranks, declaring an all-out war on the Brookfield boys. Soon, the couples are caught up in everything from car-jacking and lock-picking, to undercover spying and identity theft. Moriarty’s captivating comedy of manners reads like a breezy 21st century version of Jane Austen--with no end of ridiculous misunderstandings, angst-ridden speeches, and heartfelt make-ups. Female teen fans of Ann Brasheres' The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts will waste no time swapping copies of The Year of Secret Assignments, with all their best buds. (Ages 12 and up) --Jennifer Hubert |
Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Hilarious., Apr 3, 2023
This book is great. I love the way the book is set out, made up of letters and diary entries and Lydia's "Note-Book". I also loved Em's way of mixing up her expressions and completely changing the meaning of her sentences.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Awesome, Mar 31, 2023
As the companion novel to Feeling Sorry for Celia, I had my hopes set high for this book. It did not dissapoint me. Moriaty develops three tenth grade characters very realistically, although in an unrealistic situation. It is a bit too cliched at the end, which is what sets this book back from a 5 star rating, however the rest of the book is completely enthralling for teens and it is difficult to put this book down. It is written through a number of media, including letters, diaries, transcripsts, and notes, and the variation in style from one chapter to the next is what keeps the reader going. Not as good as Moriaty's first novel, but certianly deserving of it's 4 stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Great, Mar 15, 2023
This book was excellent. It was funny and well-written. However, at times, it is a little confusing to keep all of the diaries, notes and letters straight. Also, there are many characters ( the main girls, then some of thier friends and each of thier penpals.) However, overall, this is a very funny and fun-to-read book. I really enjoyed it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
FANTASTIC!, Mar 5, 2023
This book was just absolutely amazing. It's made up of letters, notes, diaries, and emails. Two rival schools are doing a pen pal program. As you get further into the book, you see each person's relationship with their pen pal develop-or worsen. This book was very entertaining, but it does have some adult language. You should still read this book!!!!!
3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
WARNING to parents, Feb 15, 2023
Although this book is well written, and the story is engaging, I have significant concerns for tweens and younger teens. The consequences that these 10th graders receive for their escapades are minimal, and the potential for more serious consequences not even mentioned. In particular, when one of the girls decides to meet her pen pal (whose letters to her have been menacing), she arranges the meeting in a desolate area, where a rape could easily have gone unnoticed. No mention of this potential consequence is made. In addition, I found the "pen pal" assignment somewhat peculiar to encourage in the era of internet predators, particularly since the pen pals were all boy/girl pairs. Also of concern are the episodes of school vandalism and pranks. These included destruction of property, a false alarm requiring the school to be emptied and emergency personnel to be called, disruption of testing, and skipping school. In many of these situations, there are no consequences. In comparison to these issues, the crude language, references to sex (particularly oral sex), alcohol and drug use can even seem trivial despite their presence on the majority of pages. I do believe it would have been possible for the author to be more responsible and still not jeopardize the literary value of what was otherwise an enjoyable story.
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Based on 51 reviews.