I am reading The Implosion of Aggie Winchester (G.P. Putman’s Sons 2011) by Lara Zielin.  It is a realistic fiction book.

The main characters are very believable.  Aggie began to dress and act Goth after being bullied her freshman year in high school.  She hopes that putting on a tough image will keep her from being hurt again.  It doesn’t hurt that her best friend Sylvia is also Goth and one of the toughest girls in school.  Aggie also struggles to get along with her parents.  Her mom is the principal at her high school and has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Aggie’s parents are worried about her because of the choices she makes to skip school and go to parties.  Then Aggie learns that Sylvia is pregnant.

The setting is also believable.  It takes place in a small town in Minnesota, mostly at Aggie’s home and high school.  The students are excited about the upcoming prom.  It definitely takes place in the present because Aggie has a cell phone, and the issues at her high school are similar to issues at schools today.  Some kids are popular, and some kids are picked on.

The plot involves problems that face high school students today:  getting along with parents, being dumped by friends, working out boyfriend/girlfriend issues, and getting pregnant.  Through it all, Aggie is trying to figure out who she is and how she fits into the world.

Lara Zielin made up Aggie’s story, but it is certainly believable.  I think many of you will relate to Aggie and enjoy this book.