Review: Finally
While eleven year old Rory Swenson is on a field trip, she wanders away from her class and falls and gets stuck in a drainpipe. When an older woman helps her out, she tells her, “You won’t get what you want, Rory Swenson, until you see what you need.” Rory is puzzled at first, but quickly forgets it, because she’s turning twelve – an event she’s been looking forward to for years!
You see, Rory’s parents are a little overprotective, so she can’t do lots of things her friends can. They’ve told her she has to wait until she’s twelve, and she’s been keeping track. Some of the things Rory is looking forward to are:
- getting a cell phone
- staying home alone
- shaving her legs
- going to the mall with friends and no parents
- wearing make-up
- getting her ears pierced and getting contact lenses
As you can imagine, those things don’t live up to Rory’s expectations – she loses her cell phone before she even leaves the mall, she’s allergic to the make-up she tries and so on.
Right after Rory’s birthday, she finds out that they’re going to be filming a movie at her school with teen heart-throb Jake Harrison and she and her friends are busy trying to figure out a way to meet the star. Rory does get his attention, but for all the wrong reasons.
I am way past the target audience for this book, but I absolutely loved Finally by Wendy Mass! I could relate to Rory so much because I was just like her when I was that age – I was the kid who faded into the background and was always anxious to do everything early. Rory’s not popular, but she has several good friends because she’s true and loyal.
I love that Rory’s a good kid, but she’s far from perfect. At times, it seems like everything she tries goes wrong, and I just found myself laughing out loud at some of her antics! I even had to read parts of the book out loud to Carl. If there’s a middle-grade girl in your life, you need to get her this book! I want to go back and read 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass after reading Finally.
This book was given to me by the publisher at the SIBA Trade Show. I am an Indiebound Affliate.
First of, it was so nice to meet you at BEA, even if for a short while 🙂
As far as the book goes, I think my daughter would like it and it might be right up her alley since she’ll be turning 12 in a few months.
I have a lot of her books in the library and this one is on order for next year. Hopefully I’ll have a budget to work with!! 🙂
Wow, her parents let her wear makeup at 12? Sheesh! Sounds like the perfect book for young girls. Have a great weekend.
My daughter has read both of these books (as well as several others by Wendy Mass) and has loved them all. She was particularly interested in this one becuase she IS twelve. Yes, these girls do want to wear makeup at this age, and most of them do have cell phones (not mine, which classifies me as the meanest mom in the world), but based on what Emma was telling me, there are some pretty good lessons in the story.
Hope you had a great time at BEA. I was semi-following the tweets and feeling sorry for myself!
I guess I sort of remember “wanting” to shave my legs, but boy, I sure got over that one! :–)
It sounds like something my nieces would enjoy.
This sounds nice. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds as though it would be an entertaining reading experience…and would get me away from Morganville…but I am set to read all 8 books in a row!!! I just Kindled Book 8…and I will have a rest until November…
This looks like a book my girls would enjoy.
This sounds terrific, funny and engaging! Great review!
I didn’t love 11 Birthdays so I’ve been hesitant to read this one. I did love Every Soul a Star though.
Great review, Kathy! I was like you as a kid so I could relate to what you were saying.
Can’t wait to get this one in my box (nor can Booking Daughter!) Sounds hilarious!
I have a middle-schooler who loved this book. I’ve been hearing a lot about Wendy Mass. I really am going to read one of her books.
My daughter and I loved this book! We thought it was so hilarious. We became instant fans after reading it. Here is my review:
http://libraryofcleanreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/finally-by-wendy-mass.html
Sounds like a fun summer read!
It cracks me up she would look forward to shaving her legs … WHY?????
This sounds like such a fun book. I think I’d be able to relate to Rory too.
I’ve never heard of this book but it sounds really good. I love reading books like this once in a while.
I remember when I wanted to do all those things, especially shaving my legs…now that’s a task I wish I didn’t have to worry about!
This book looks perfect for my daughter!! It’s so funny that when you are that age, you long to be a grown-up, but when you finally get to be one, you long to turn back the hands of time! This book sounds like it would be a fun book for lots of different age groups. Glad you liked it so much!
Sounds like fun–and since I’ve only just had a girl come out of middle school, I’m sure she and I would both be able to relate!
This looks like a good easy read. I am looking for really light books to read in August, when I will be terribly busy, so this is one of the choices I would look to.
This one sounds fun too!
Interesting! I know I hate makeup, that’s for sure. LOL!
The Girl got her first Wendy Mass book at the Scholastic tour, as you probably remember us talking about this author. I’m going to have to read it when she’s done.
–Anna