ttyl by Lauren Myracle

The reason I am reading this book is a discussion of intellectual freedom because it has been the most frequently challenged book since 2007.  In the Fall of 2004 (the year of copyright which also matches the dates) Maddie, Angela and Zoe start the 10th grade.  They’ve been friends for four years and in just part of a semester they talk about relationships, deal with betrayal and all of it is blunt.  There is drunken exposure at a frat party, intimate moments with a teacher even mention of female ejaculation.  These are the reasons people like to ban books, but I have no issue with it, though I do think the recommendation of Grades 6-10 might be a bit young of a start for this.  Though I think the real reason for that age range is only middle schoolers would believe this.

It might help if I give some perspective.  In the Fall of 2004 I was starting my senior year in high school.  I was only 2 year older than the girls in the book.  You might say it’s probably a different part of the country but I don’t think that different.  The clothes, the slang and many other parts that seem like their supposed to be modern seem more like Dr. Frankenstein mixed the last 50 years.  When I truly laughed out loud was when the girls had to get offline to make a phone call and I exclaimed out loud, “Oh! Dial-up!”  I swear it’s not just the format, because of that the pain is actually quite brief.  This is more of a high school cliche than any other YA I can remember reading in my life.  The other thing that kept nagging at my mind is the fact that reading is supposed to help vocabulary and writing skills; so won’t this book make what is already an issue worse?

Perhaps it is just not my cup of tea.  I mean I hear great things about Lauren Myracle so maybe her other work is where I should have started.  Anyone willing to tell me what they love about this book?