Rosie and Skate

Rosie is a high school sophomore and her sister Skate (real name Olivia) is a year older. Rosie is boyfriendless and Skates boyfriend, Perry, just went off to Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ. Shes actually living with Perrys mother, Julia. Rosie is living at home with her aunt Angie. You see, Rosie and Skates mother died when they were tiny and their dad is an alcoholic who was just arrested for shoplifting. Rosie goes to group counseling meetings but Skate doesnt. Yes, very complicated!

Skates a free bird, dresses funky, rides her skateboard everywhere, somewhat more worldly than Rosie. Rosies quiet, reserved. Rosies got a crush on Gus, who leads the meeting, but it appears that Nick, another group member likes Rosie.

Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman outlines how the girls react to their life over a period of about six months. They both have parent problems. They both have boyfriend problems. Chapters alternate between Rosie and Skate narrating. The book is very readable, but also very predictable. Rosie and Skate are likeable characters as are some of the secondary characters like Frank and Nick. Youll definitely identify with the boyfriend/girlfriend going off to college/long distance romance thing or the wishing you had a boyfriend thing.

Rosie and Skate is good for a lazy afternoon read.