Review Detail

In This Full House, the final book of the Make Lemonade Trilogy, high school senior Verna LaVaughn returns with the characters from the first two novels. In an accelerated science program, Women in Medical Science, LaVaughn notices startling similarities in mannerisms and looks between her professor, Dr. Moore, and her single mother friend, Jolly. With the help of former classmate, Patrick, whose advances LaVaughn has snubbed, she performs a DNA comparison to determine if they are mother and daughter.

Meanwhile, LaVaughns long time friend, Annie, who is an evangelical Christian, gets pregnant. Its up to LaVaughn and another friend, Myrtle, to help her through. While Annie has forgiven the father who has disappeared, LaVaughn cannot.

Patrick and Jody make return visits, albeit brief ones. But those of you who read the first two books in the trilogy, know it is necessary for a reasonable conclusion.

Throughout the book, LaVaughn deals with her insecurities about getting admitted to college, her motives for the actions she takes, the need for forgiveness (both giving and receiving) and friendship.

It is extremely helpful to have read the first two books in the trilogy because LaVaughn refers frequently to events in those books. Twice the length of the previous novels, Virginia Euwer Wolff penned an engaging but overly long and repetitive story; repetitive in the sense that LaVaughn goes on and on about getting into college and Jody and how she ignored Patrick.

However, readers will get caught up in LaVaughns life and concerns. She fears not getting accepted to college. She is in awe of Jolly, raising two children and getting her G.E.D. While the story line of Dr. Moore and Jolly is contrived, it tugs at the heartstrings. LaVaughn does not need to overcome major obstacles to achieve her goals, however her determination, intelligence and caring are a pleasure to read about. The non-rhyming poetry makes the This Full House fun to read. A must read for Virginia Euwer Wolff fans, this will also attract new fans.