How to Survive Absolutely Anything

Gr 6–8—Best friends Bonnie and Jen, who have survived everything from "getting picked on by head cases" to "extended periods of severe klutziness," start a blog to advise fellow sufferers. Becker uses blog entries, diary entries, IM conversations, and third-person narration to follow these Canadian teens through the trials and tribulations they endure during their first year of high school, focusing on the challenges of complex family dynamics (Jen's mom has a drinking problem and Bonnie must adjust to life with new stepsiblings) and dating woes (keeping track of who likes whom, etc.). The plot ties up too neatly, and some of the technology jargon and slang may quickly date the book, but readers will root for these thoughtful, every-girl protagonists to overcome the realistic obstacles they face.—Gesse Stark-Smith, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR