Plan B (Surviving Southside) Paperback – January 1, 2011

My low level reader 8th graders like this series because they get to carry around a book with a cool cover (yes, they do judge the books by their covers) instead of another third grade level "baby book."

I love this book even though it leaves you on a cliff hanger it is just because we don't know if she is really pregnant and we don't know if it is a boy or a girl

Lucy, a junior in high school, is dating Luke, a star athlete with hopes of a full-ride scholarship to college. His life plans and her dreams are disrupted when Lucy discovers she is pregnant. More appropriate for high school due to described sexual contact. But the Plan B of the title is not described--the story ends with the teens going to the first prenatal appointment without making a decision what to do with their lives and the pregnancy. A realistic look at the choices teen make.

I am on the fence about this book. Yes it was short, alot of people complained about that on their goodreads review, but that is not my issue. I think books can tell a beautiful story in less than 200 pages, but it is very rare. My problem with this book was how realistic it was.I liked Lucy, and even Luke. As characters, they portrayed lovesick teenagers very well. Simon made me remember that time of "first love." What I didn't completely believe was Luke's fast turn-around from reluctant dad to Mr Dependable. I wish she would have spent more time on the effects and the consequences of unprotected sex. I would have liked some more conversations between Lucy and Luke about how they felt, although I do think she did a good job expressing 'summarized emotions,' I would like to go deeper. I mean, the whole book has been spoiled by the summary, it was a predictable plot. And I love a good open-ended ending, but not when the story was just beginning.Overall, I think Simon did a good job expressing the consequences of unprotected sex, even with someone you love, and she did it without sounding preachy. I just wish there was more to the story. I think this is a good read for all teens though, because it shows anyone can make such a mistake. And it is one that lives you with forever, no matter what you may choose to do after.

*Spoiler Alert* I hate spoiling anything but when the book is only 108 pages, it was really hard not to.It was very well written. It honestly reminded me of the first two episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The dialouge is very specific, detailed and the most important decisions and thought processes are explained well. I think this story can be very usefully in explaining the many different thoughts and attitudes that come from 1) the pregnant girl as she finds out she's pregnant 2) the boyfriend/dad's thoughts 3) the parents of both 1&2 and of course the discussions and decisions that must be made from that point on by all of the above. How it changes your life and others.So *spoiler alert* (but that is ALL it covers). It is only 108 pages so we do not get to see what happens pass these initial thoughts and decisions...and for this particular story things could have turned out way worse. This story perhaps shows the upside or more positive attitudes in this situation.I hope that books like these help show that communication is the key.Although I was anticipating more, I really enjoyed what I got. It was a fast read, but every informative, well written and should be included in all libraries.

I have always found these types of novels intriguing and interesting because I have no idea what I would do if I found myself in that position as I am sure a lot of other's would feel. The instinct is hard to switch off and your heart goes out to the girls who are in Lucy's position because even though they made a mistake or forgot to use contraception because they were too caught up in their lover's arms, it must be such a difficult decision to be left with. I have no idea how anyone would be able to fully make a decision that seems so large and vast but that it also decides what the young parents will have to give up, dreams they have to give up for another. Like I said it is a subject that pulls at the heart strings and makes you consider all your options because at the last moment, like any other, they count the most when faced with such decisions.

Plan B by Charnan Simon deals with a very difficult subject, teen pregnancy. It does so in a realistic manner. It's a quick read that gives the reader a glimpse into the challenges of finding out you are pregnant in high school. The main characters had a seemingly perfect high school love affair, that was greatly tested when Lucy finds out that love isn't as perfect as she thinks it is. She's always a planner, but this hiccup throws an awful blow to her future and her boyfriend's dreams. The story moves along pretty fast and you don't get to spend much time in their relationship before tragedy happens, but when it hits, you are able to see clearly the range of emotions Lucy experiences. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. A quick read that packs a punch of reality.