My Life Next Door

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Dial, New York, 2012. ISBN: 978-0803736993

Plot Summary

Samantha Reed’s mother has told her to stay away from the Garrett family: easier said than done, seeing as how they are next door neighbors. The Garrett’s are total opposites from the Reed’s—loud, messy, and loving. Samantha’s family on the other hand, is quiet, polite, and emotionally distant, especially now that Ms. Reed is running for senate.  Despite her mother and her friends telling her to stay away from the Garrett’s, Samantha still watches them and wonders what life would be like over there.

One night, gorgeous and caring Jase Garrett sees Samantha watching his family, and comes over to her bedroom window. Their friendship turns into romance, and Samantha finds herself spending more time with the Garrett family.  Soon, Samantha is babysitting the younger Garrett siblings, and changing plans with her old friends, in order to spend time with the Garretts.

As her mother grows more distant and spends more time with her own boyfriend, Samantha uses the family next door to escape her dull life. But when a tragic event strikes, Samantha is forced to keep a secret from the Garretts and from Jace. When her life and heart is with both families, how will she choose what to do?

Critical Evaluation

The characters and the writing style in “My Life Next Door” is what makes the novel stand out.

Samantha is a strong and likeable heroine, and it’s easy to identify with her.  Her relationship with Jase will bring up memories of reader’s first crushes and relationships. While Samantha does have a rocky relationship with her mother, she still  tries to understand her and comes to her aid when need be. The Garrett family also has their own strong personalities that leap off the page. Fitzpatrick gives each of the characters their own interests and voice, without any of them coming across as stereotypical or clichéd. Even Samantha’s mother who at times comes across as selfish and distant, makes choices that show she really does care for her daughter, even if she doesn’t fully agree with all of her choices.

The writing style in the book reminded me of other YA ‘chick lit’ novels, such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Calleti’s works. It’s easy to read, and has a ‘summer beach read’ feel. While the plot is breezy, the choices the characters must make are heartbreaking.  While “My Life Next Door” doesn’t have the angst or tragedy found in many YA novels, it has emotional depth and characters that remain with the reader.

Reader’s Annotation

Samantha Reed has always been told to stay away from the family next door. But what if life over there is better than the life she’s always known?

About the Author

“I was lucky enough to be born to parents who read every kind of written material with interest and enthusiasm, and let me do the same. From the start I searched for books that let me fall in love…with the story and with the boy.

I figured out early that stories were what made sense of the world when it was confusing and made the best moments permanent. I was shy and nearsighted but good at anything that involved reading and imagining, so quickly decided the only logical career to pursue was writing. To this end my father gave me a typewriter (it was a long time ago), a package of Lucky Strike cigarettes, a bottle of Scotch and a note advising me to "Be Bold, Be Bold, Be Bold."

For my tenth birthday.

I passed on the Scotch and the smokes, but kept writing. My first completed story involved a family with twenty children who lived by the ocean. The parents were twenty-two. Some things have never changed for me: my love of family, beaches, and my shaky grasp of math…

Now I live on the coast of Massachusetts with my six remarkable and eccentric children and encouraging husband, all of whom put up with me holding up my hand traffic-cop-style, saying, "I just have to get this down" and dashing to my computer. Or pulling over on the shoulder of the road to jot a note in lipstick on the back of an ATM receipt. They also let me pick their brains on what is currently cool and what always matters. “

(About Huntley. Retrieved September 27^th, 2014 from www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com/huntleyfitzpatrick.html

Genres

Romance

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss the importance of family in the novel and differences between the two families.

2: Similar titles/read alikes (Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, Jenny Han)

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

Sexual Situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included this novel, because Fitzpatrick’s writing style reminded me of one of my favorite YA authors,  Sarah Dessen. I think “My Life Next Door” would be perfect for teen girls looking for a breezy summer read. The characters and the emotional depth in the novel also won me over.