Review: Hope and Other Punchlines

Hope and Other Punchlines
by Julie Buxbaum

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2019

Julie Buxbaum’s newest novel, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCHLINES, tells the tale of resilient Abbi Goldstein. Abbi is fifteen years old and is desperately trying to get out of the shadow of the “Baby Hope” photo, taken of her on her first birthday, September 11th, as the Twin Towers collapsed in the background. The photograph, invented by the author, became very famous and was seen as a portrait of hope in times of despair. In an attempt to shake off this legacy that has become too much to bear, Abbi decides to be a summer camp counselor where she hopes no one will recognize her. Alas, her summer might not go the way she wanted. Medical concerns, family trouble, blackmail, turbulent friendships, and a boy all stand between her and her perfect summer of anonymity.

This book was a very quick read for me. The dual perspectives of Abbi and fellow camp counselor Noah keep things moving and provide alternate outlooks on the same events. Buxbaum does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life in a very realistic way, and I found myself truly caring about what happened to them. All together, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCH LINES is a poignant and meaningful novel about moving on, accepting your legacy, and the importance of hope. While this was not my favorite book, there is a lot to like about it.

Review: Tell Me Three Things

Tell Me Three Things 
By Julie Buxbaum

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 5th, 2016 

TELL ME THREE THINGS is about a girl named Jessie who has just moved to L.A to live with her dad after her mom's death. Jessie continues to deal with the death of her mother as she adjusts to a new family and school. When SN (Somebody/Nobody), an anonymous student, offers to help Jessie at her new school, she accepts and eventually befriends SN. While parts of this book were predictable, it was not too cliché and it was still enjoyable. Jessie is a smart, sincere, and realistic character that makes her relatable and likeable. There's also a fun cast of characters adding a sense of lightness and humor to the story. It's pretty easy to guess who SN would be but there's still a slight suspense by the end to confirm who they are. I would recommend this to readers that enjoy contemporary fiction, and want to read a sweet, heart-warming story, also for fans of Stephanie Perkins.