Now & Then: A re-read of All-American Girl by Meg Cabot

I'm starting a new feature - "Now & Then" reviews. In these I'll review a recent re-read of a book that I first read at least 5 years. They'll probably mostly be books that I read as a teenager, but won't be limited to YA novels. I'll compare my original impressions with my latest thoughts.

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The original hardcover

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot
Young Adult Chick Lit/General Fiction
HarperTeen; 1st edition (August 20, 2002)
ISBN-13: 978-0060294694
256 pages

Synopsis from Amazon:

TOP TEN REASONS
Samantha Madison
IS IN DEEP TROUBLE

10. Her big sister is the most popular girl in school

9. Her little sister is a certified genius

8. She's in love with her big sister's boyfriend

7. She got caught selling celebrity portraits in school

6. And now she's being forced to take art classes

5. She's just saved the president of the United States from an assassination attempt

4. So the whole world thinks she is a hero

3. Even though Sam knows she is far, far from being a hero

2. And now she's been appointed teen ambassador to the UN

AND THE NUMBER-ONE REASON
Sam's LIFE IS OVER?

1.The president's son just might be in love with her

What I felt then (2002): Sam is a cool heroine - one that I could totally see myself befriending. Is she best friend material for me? No, but I think she's funny and interesting. She's silly when it comes to David. I kind of just want to slap her so she'll wake up, but then the novel wouldn't be half as hilarious. Her sisters are outrageous and I can't help but sympathize with her about them. I picked up this book because I love the Princess Diaries series and I'm glad that I did. Meg Cabot's teen girls are so realistic, I swear that I've met them before. I love her pop culture references too. Not only do they add to the humor, they also make Sam and her story feel even more realistic.

Grade: A-

Most recent edition

What I think now (2010): I still really like Sam, her friends, family and story. Meg Cabot knows how to make her teens feel utterly real - from the way that they talk to the decisions that they make. I found myself laughing aloud several times and, despite some of the dated pop culture references, it retained a fresh feel. Mind you, this novel is only eight years-old. In a few more years a lot of these pop culture mentions will fall flat. Eventually, they may have to pull a Sweet Valley High/Nancy Drew and update some things. Fortunately, the humor found here isn't completely reliant on pop culture. Just reading through Sam's thought process, actions and rationalizations are a riot.

New Grade: B+

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