WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW by Sonya Sones

Bibliography

Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. ISBN 0-689-84114-0

Plot Summary

Through a series of poems, the teenage narrator, Sophie, tells the story of her first experiences with love. Focusing on universal experiences of adolescence, she discusses her relationships with family, friends, and boys as she struggles to reach adulthood. This free verse, quick read, is very realistic about the power of peer pressure, and very touching.

Critical Analysis

WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW is an honest and heart touching book about a girl being true to herself, trusting her friends, and having the strength to love what makes her heart happy. Sones's lovely poems are wonderfully written. Sones captures the nervousness of dating a guy, the way friends can get jealous, the sorrow at realizing that you just don't like him anymore, and finding the strength to love what makes your heart happy. We should all be so brave.

Review Excerpts

International Reading Association Young Adult's Choice 2003

2001 Booklist Editor's Choice

American Library Association 2002 Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

American Library Association 2002 Best Book for Young Adults 

Connections

Chose any of the following story starters or use the following as journal topic entries.

• If I were in this story, I would/wouldn't have...
• I really admire the character of __________ because...
• I realized...
• I can't really understand...
• I did/didn't like the way...
• The character of _________ reminds me of myself when...
• I know the feeling of ...
• I began to think of...
• The biggest thing that the character of ________ learned in this story was...
• The most important lesson that I, the reader, learned in this story was...