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13 Little Blue Envelopes

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

While 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a bit cheesy, it makes a great summer read if you are looking to travel to Europe from your couch. 

Summary
Ginny Blackstone's Aunt Peg took off to Europe three years ago without a word. Aunt Peg brought humor and intrigue to Ginny's otherwise boring, run-of-the-mill life. Besides a few measly postcards, Ginny hasn't received anything from her otherwise booming, outgoing Aunt. Ginny gets a phone call that changes her life, and shortly after, receives the first little blue envelope. The envelope contains $1,000 and a set of instructions. Just when Ginny thought she lost the person who made her life interesting and worthwhile, she is sent on an amazing adventure through Europe, following her Aunt's footsteps. After she picks up the package with the 12 other letters, she commences her crazy journey. The once shy, timid Ginny has now broken out of her shell. One month ago, she couldn't envision herself leaving New Jersey much less running from London to Paris to Rome, finding letters and new tasks along the way. Out of her comfort zone, she must get to letter #13 for a surprise. Will she make it?

Review
This book is definitely an early 2000s book. Although cheesy and predictable, this book does a great job, especially for young readers, painting pictures of new surroundings. Besides and beautiful settings, the clean romances, the ability of this book to take you on a trip from your living room is amazing. It provides perspective on stepping out of your comfort zone. Ginny is shy. She never really leaves her home state of New Jersey, much less her neighborhood. Her adventurous outlet was lost when her Aunt left for Europe; however, she steps into the unfamiliar and learns more about herself and her Aunt than she could ever learn about Parisian architecture and English history. While learning new topics and travelling to new horizons by herself was valuable, she learned to be dependent on herself and rely on her own judgement. She realized you can be adventurous and responsible. I believe an important lesson for young women today is that you don't have to be responsible or adventurous. You can be both. It is such a myth that a young person can only be wild, adventurous, and "fun", but cannot be sensible, responsible, and safe at the same time. Maureen Johnson's book serves as a example for young readers that stepping out of your comfort zone is healthy and matures character. 

Audience: 5th - 8th graders
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date Published: 2005
ISBN: 9780062439109
Format: Paperback
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure/Romance
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