So far in reading the book dear Julia there is a girl named Elaine who has always wanted to be like Julia child. Ever since she was a child she would write letters to Julia child bur never sent them because she was to shy. When she was six she was already making French inspired dishes. There s also another girl named Isadora but she didn't like her name so she changed it to a font on her computer named Lucida San. Lucida has to moms and has always wanted to be rich and famous. One day while at a festival Elaine and Lucida meet. Then Lucida invites Elaine to dinner at her moms house. And that's were there friendship starts. This was one of the quirkiest little books I'd read in awhile. Since I genuinely love to read "foodie lit," I'd wanted to read this one for quite some time. The references to sauces, pastries, and meat preparations were glorious, and made me a bit jealous that such a young girl could master them! Elaine was truly an introvert. Her likes and dislikes so different from other teenagers, that it was hard to even say she was a teen. Her best friend in the story, also a big eccentric, really brought Elaine to a place where she could actually see her dreams of attending culinary school in France. There is this interesting blend of foodie knowledge and YA angst that makes this novel especially interesting. It has the feel of other young adult novels that deal with really quirky teenagers, with their masked and bottled insecurities and their hopes all kept under wraps. I really liked Elaine though, and wanted her to find herself and showcase her amazing talents! It was truly a fun read that was completely out of the ordinary from anything I'd read before. You do get a sense for how it might end, but the story itself feels strangely new. I really enjoyed the book, and although thought the characters were real oddballs, I enjoyed watching them take their insecurities and oddities and showing their value to society. Just a great little book that is out of the norm!
What do You think about Dear Julia (2008)?
This was a fantastic book! Very unique! Thank you Ellen for the recommendation.
—sky
This was slow in the beginning, but it got better. I liked it alright.
—chapis
Fun young adult novel--at least it appeals to me as it involves food!
—Graybear
