No and Me

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan. Bloomsbury, New York City, 2010. ISBN:  978-1599904795

  

Summary

Lou Bertignac isn’t like most thirteen year old girls. She rather people watch at the train station then go to parties, and she’s skipped two grades in school. She lives a rather sheltered, naïve life, so she’s surprised more than anyone when she decides to do a final project on the homeless. She’s also told her teacher she’s interviewing a young homeless woman—but Lou hasn’t found anyone to interview, at least not yet.

Enter No. She’s eighteen and has been living on the streets for a while. When she first approaches Lou for a cigarette, Lou is amazed by this beautiful young woman who doesn’t care what others think of her.  Lou decides to interview No, and through weekly meetings at a local café, she finds out more about No’s life—at least, what No is willing to share. During a harsh winter, Lou decides to ask her parents if No can stay with them and surprisingly, they say yes.  While No first seems like the older sister Lou never had, both girls realize that separating No’s past homeless life to a new one is easier said then done.

Critical Evaluation

No and Me’s main theme is friendship, beautifully depicted by the opposites attract friendship between Lou and No.  No is really the first person that understands Lou, despite her quirks. And Lou is willing to look beyond the physical appearance and moodiness of No.

Lou is a quirky character, wise and thoughtful beyond her years. While she at first only observes the homeless for her project, she quickly becomes dedicated to their cause once she meets No.

And while No first comes off as an abrasive, rude character, her actions are slowly explained by her back story. She too, changes her outlook on the outside world when she starts living with Lou’s family.

Translated from the French, the French countryside and cafes add a nice element to the setting. While it may first come across as far-fetched that Lou’s parents would allow a homeless girl to stay with them, it is a heartfelt gesture that brings the family closer together. Readers looking for a friendship story with charity and heart will enjoy No and Me.

Reader’s Annotation

Sheltered Lou begins to look at life differently when she asks a homeless girl named No to live with her.

About the Author

“Delphine de Vigan is French and lives in Paris. She has published several novels for adults. No and Me was awarded the Prix des Libraires 2008 (The Booksellers' Prize) in France.”

(Delphine de Vigan.  Retrieved September 15th, 2014 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/981703.Delphine_de_Vigan)

Genres

Coming of Age

Contemporary

Friendship

Curriculum Ties

Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas

1: Lou and No’s friendship.

2: How the homeless are treated in our community.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?  

I included No and Me for its beautiful writing and the theme of friendship.