It took me a while to start enjoying this book back in freshman years because I think it had something to do with the fact that it's so...1950's! Jean and Johnny isn't a classic "first love" teen novel. Jean didn't end up with Johnny. The story didn't portray Johnny as Jean's love of her life either, which was a nice bit of perspective.What was most interesting about the book was the glimpse it gave of American life in the late 1950s, and particularly the economic realities of a single-income, working-class family at the time. Jean Jarrett and her family live in a two-bedroom house too small to allow a private conversation. They watch every penny so literally that Jean is concerned about spending the money to buy cookies and whipped cream to make a special dessert for a guest one night. The girls make all of their own clothes, while their mother works Saturdays at a fabric store. The idea of buying a ready-made dress is a dream that finally comes true in the course of the story.One fascinating example of class difference is Jean's awareness that Johnny, who's clearly from a well-off family, has five different plaid wool shirts that require dry cleaning. It's highly significant to her, since it's mentioned more than once. Jean is also slightly ashamed that her family buys milk in paper half-gallons, rather than having it delivered in glass bottles, and butter in whole pounds rather than quarter-pound sticks... also to save money. It seemed to her that "quartered butter and milk in bottles always looked so elegant in a refrigerator". Also, I couldn't really understand why Johnny was disliked by all of Jean's family. I guess they had different ideas about what makes a jerk in the 1950s, because for most of the book, I had no idea why Jean's family was wary of Johnny. He seemed like a nice person to me. I guess that I could kind of see what they were talking about, but not that much.Nonetheless, I think gathering books like this to read as a way of learning about life in the recent past seems nice. I'd think it would be more informative than historical fiction about a similar period. Or perhaps it would be fun to compare the two. Hmm. So, I don't know...I had mixed feelings about this book. At parts, I liked it, at parts I was kind of bored. It was a solid 3.5 stars.
Fifteen year old Jean is shocked when handsome and popular Johnny picks her out of a crowd at a dance and asks her to dance. Jean hasn’t given much thought to boys but ever since that dance, Johnny is all Jean can think of. As the school year progresses, Johnny pays more and more attention to Jean. Even though Johnny is a senior, Jean believes he really, truly likes her. Jean finally works up the courage to ask Johnny to a school dance and is over the moon when he accepts! But, doubts creep in and suddenly Jean isn’t so sure she wants to go with Johnny anymore. Is this just a first crush or something more?This was a sweet, quick read of a young girl’s first crush. It took me back to those years when I was first interested in boys and the antics my friends and I contrived to be around those boys more often. There was lots of giggling and covert plans. I love the important lessons that Jean learns about herself and others and how we see her self confidence emerge in the end. This book is classified as YA (15-25). The content is innocent enough that I’m putting this book right into the hands of my 13 year old.
What do You think about Jean And Johnny (2003)?
This books is so sad, and yet so heartwarming, that it was a favorite as soon as I read it. I'm not usually into chick-lit, but this one is so sweet, and so simple, that I couldn't put it down. I could really relate to Jean, even though I don't have all the problems of being short. I could see myself doing all of the silly, cute things before Johnny comes over, and I can see myself acting like a spy to find out his name and address. I must admit, I find a certain aspect of this book just CHARMING, though I don't think many other people will understand it. I think that the way Jean's family is poor, and the thrifty things they do to save money and make the best of it, is so special to this book! Whenever I'm feeling upset, I like to read this book, and then I feel happy because I'm lucky to not be in their situation. Whatever is wrong with me, at least I don't sew my own clothes. Maybe that's just an obnoxious little trait of mine, but... it makes me feel better about my life.I would recommend this book to girls from 9-up.Read on, bookworms!
—Grace Meredith
You DON'T read a book like this for its action packed story line. You DO read a book like this for a slice-of-life look into the world of a teenage girl smack dab in 1950s America. In other words, it's literary time travel. For that reason alone, I found it worthwhile. And though times have changed quite markedly for a 15 year old girl, some themes from the book strike a chord even today. Being a glasses-wearer since junior high, I loved that Jean wore them. I could relate to her insecurities about them! I also loved what Jean learned from Homer about the popular kids and being herself. I enjoyed Johnny's character as well. There will always be Johnnys in this world, and perhaps there are more now than ever. Overall, this book was a just really a fun little jaunt back in time. 3.5 stars{p.s. The best of Cleary's young adult books set in the 50s is Fifteen. If your have to choose one -- read it! I loved it as a teenager, and still do.}
—Sherri
No change except a further appreciation of the Jarretts' tough economic situation.4-3-10 review:I take back anything I ever said about this being my least favorite of the Cleary YA books. It's certainly the one that makes me cringe the most, but that's only because it reminds me of my time wasted chasing after a not-good-enough. But good for Jean for learning her lesson and for wearing a killer dress to spend an evening with pigeons. Cleary's books are always rich with home details that forever fixate in the mind. For me, this one has Jean drying dishes and discovering a speck of food on her plate, but being considerate enough to not bother handing it back to Sue for a re-wash. Last read: 3-11-06
—Susann
