Review: Karen's Brothers by Ann M Martin

Karen Brewer is back and, predictably, a misunderstanding leads to an over-the-top reaction on her part, which in turn causes a whole lot more trouble. This time around Karen is having a rotten old weekend. On Friday at school, the boys refuse to let her join in on their game. Then, when she and Andrew go to stay at the big house, her stepbrothers and some of their friends exclude her, Andrew and David Michael from a trip to the movies. This leads Karen to decide that she hates all boys, and will, henceforth, not be talking to any boys at all. Ever. And that includes all pets. Then, at school on Monday, Karen and her friends form the We Hate Boys Club. And then ...

This novel starts out with an interesting, albeit over-the-top premise which soon fizzles out and falls flat. To be honest, I am a little surprised that the publishers decided to do a reprint of this one at all, as there is so little substance to the story. The resolution with the Brother's Day party seemed silly, particularly as no one seemed terribly upset by Karen's antics in the first place, or even took that much notice of her. And while the novel had the perfect set up for a moral about misunderstandings and talking to a grown up about feeling lonely and left out, there is none. Or maybe I am just feeling old and grouchy today.

Not the most solid book in the series, but plenty of nostalgia in there for old fans.

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