In Maureen Johnson’s second young adult novel, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, 17-year-old Ginny Blackstone receives a package from her recently deceased Aunt Peg who had left New York City for London without any notice several years before her death. In this package Ginny is given one thousand dollars and 13 little blue envelopes, the first letter instructing her to buy a one-way ticket to London and telling her to open the second envelope on the plane. With a little bit of convincing her parents to let her leave, Ginny begins the journey that her aunt has laid out for her.
Ginny is a relatable character for young women. She is an average girl with low self-esteem who discovers over time that she is worth more than she originally believed and that she can make her own adventures. She is not allowed to have any contact with anyone from home per her aunt’s instructions and has to rely on herself and new friends she meets along the way. Ginny goes on a journey of self-discovery guided by her aunt’s instructions. Even the most confident girls will find a little of Ginny in themselves.
13 Little Blue Envelopes is a page turner. Johnson has a suspenseful style of writing that makes readers want to keep reading to find out what happens next. The highlight of the novel is the letters. Readers will have trouble stopping between letters so that they can find out what the next letter brings. They make the novel a quick read and keep the suspense high. Each letter brings a little bit of life to Aunt Peg and the adventures that she once had before leading Ginny in the same direction.
I would highly recommend this book for all young women. It is an inspiring attention-grabber that is hard to put down that young women will find a lot of themselves in.
Buy 13 Little Blue Envelopes on Amazon.
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