ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award finalist - Young Adult Fiction 2005
"Today . . . I want . . . I . . . I want to be loved."
On a gray Valentine's Day, fifteen year–old Carmen's world is turned upside down. She must give a presentation in class, and her fear of public speaking is making her sick. To make matters worse, Carmen is convinced today is the day she'll die of shame. If only she hadn't put that note in Simon Krasinski's locker asking him to the school dance!
Instead of going to school, Carmen runs the other way into an adventure she could never have imagined. When she meets a local rock star at a laundromat, Carmen is propelled into a journey of self-discovery where maybe, just maybe, she'll find the elusive love she so desires.
Reviews
"A powerful, poignant novel that should resonate with teen readers."
-- Quill & Quire
“The novel is hypnotizing; from the first line to the last page.”
-- Calgary Herald
“..[a] quirky, disarming novel . . . a journey that Fréchette charts with an all-seeing eye, a pitch-perfect ear and a voice that will resonate with readers.”
-- The Globe and Mail
“Carmen is a mature, wistful narrative that captures the nuances of an adolescent girl’s angst about love and identity. Highly Recommended.”
-- CM Magazine
“This slim volume is full of angst and self-discovery. Fans of Laurie Lalse Anderson’s Speak will relate to this layered character.”
-- School Library Journal
"Fréchette has crafted an entertaining coming-of-age story that is both funny and poignant."
-- The United Church Observer
Carole Fréchette has won many awards in Quebec. She is also a widely celebrated dramatist, winning such prizes as the Governor General’s Award.
Susan Ouriou is a Calgary-based translator and writer who has translated from both French and Spanish. She has been nominated for two Governor General's Literary Awards for her translations of The Road to Chlifa and Necessary Betrayals.
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