Bibliography: Alexander, Jill. (September 2009). The Sweetheart of Prosper County. New York: Feiwel and Friends. ISBN: 9780312548568
Plot Summary: High schooler Austin Gray is watching life go by–literally, standing on the curb watching the town Christmas parade–when she gets an idea–why watch the parade when you can be IN it? But she doesn’t want to be just in the parade, she wants to be a Sweetheart and ride in a big car and smile and wave. But to do that, she has to join Future Farmers of America, and to do that, she needs an animal to raise. Enter rooster Charles Dickens who becomes the focus of Austin and her mother’s world–they don’t know anything about raising roosters, but they are willing to learn. Along the way, Austin makes friends with the reigning FFA sweetheart, Sundi, a quiet (and cute) guy from her class, and manages to not leave her best friend Maribel behind. Adventures with noodling, fireworks, and seeing the town bully get his comeuppance all lead to the climax at the fair: will Charles Dickens win the champion prize?
Critical Analysis: This is a charming and delightful debut from Alexander. She does a great job of making ALL the characters come to life, including a rooster and what is more and more a rarity in young adult literature, a mother who is involved in her daughter’s life and cares deeply about her well being and happiness. What struck me most about this book though, was how universal it was. I don’t mean that teens everywhere decide to raise roosters. But they want to be a part of something, to be accepted and given a place, to show they belong and deserve to be there. And for this reason, this book will resonate with teens everywhere, even if they have never HEARD of FFA.
The setting and the details of the story remind me that small rural agricultural towns are the same everywhere. I was reminded of growing up in Swansea, S.C. Of standing on Main Street and watching the Hay Festival and Christmas parades, of waiting with my mom in the drug store for a prescription, of going with my dad to the feed/hardware store where they sold seeds and nails by the pound. Thank you Jill Alexander for writing a book that recognizes these places and those teens.
Readalikes: I am reminded somewhat of another debut from earlier in the year that features a girl who decides to take control of her life and comes up with a plan to save the family drugstore, My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald. (Laying aside the geographical difficulties, I think this drugstore could be a neighbor of Austin’s mom’s hardware establishment.)
Review Excerpts: “First-time novelist Alexander offers a delightful, funny story about teenagers living in a West Texas farming community….Austin’s year of added responsibility and independence make for a substantive, enjoyable coming-of-age novel that will speak to rural and urban readers alike.”–Booklist
Reviewed from publisher advanced copy.
