Block, Francesca Lia. Weetzie Bat. Charlotte Zolotow Books, 1989. $7.95 113 pages. ISBN: 0064408183 (pbk).
Plot
Summary:
When Weetzie’s best
friend, Dirk’s grandmother gives her a magic lamp inhabited by a magic genie
she uses her three wishes to wish for true love for herself and Dirk and a
house for them both to live in. Even
though all of Weetzie’s wishes come true, life is still unpredictable in many
ways, which Weetzie finds out when she wants to have a baby, but My Secret
Agent Lover Man does not. Weetzie find
another way to get her baby, but never thinks that My Secret Agent Lover Man might
be upset by her actions. Weetzie is left
with baby Cherokee who she loves very much, but she still aches from losing My
Secret Agent Lover Man.
Critical
Review:
Weetzie Bat is a postmodern
fairytale (happily ever after). Weezie
is a loving girl who embraces life.
Together with her friends Dirk, Duck, and My Secret Agent Lover Man,
Weetzie confronts life in Los Angeles head on with all its ups and downs. She always have a shoulder to cry on in her
circle of friends and in turn always is there when other need a shoulder. Weetzie finds the power to pull through grief
and abandonment from love she receives from her friends and family.
Though the reading
level and length of this book may appeal to younger readers there is subject
matter that is more appropriate for older readers.
Genre:
Fantasy
Interest Level:
Grades 10 and up
Similar
Books:
I was a Teenage Fairy Francesca Lia Block
I was a Teenage Fairy Francesca Lia Block
Series
Information:
Weetzie Bat Series:
Weetzie
Bat
Witch
Baby
Cherokee
Bat and the Goat Guys
Missing
Angel Juan
Baby
Be-Bop
Necklace
of Kisses
Subjects/Themes:
Love
Friendship
Wishes
Nontraditional families
Los Angeles
Awards/Honors:
ALA Best of the Best
Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens) 2001
Parents’ Choice Award
1989
Parents’ Choice Award
2002
Parents’ Choice Award
2003
YALSA Best Books for
Young Aduts 1990
Author’s
Website:
Annotation:
Weetzie
learns about the unpredictable nature of life and love in this postmodern
fairytale.
Book Talking Ideas
I would
recommend this book to teens like strong female protagonists and urban
fantasy. This is also a great book for
readers who prefer fast paced and/or romantic storylines.
Why I chose to include this book:
I chose
to include Weetzie Bat because it is
a story is unlike any other fantasy I have read with a wholly original heroine
who is not afraid to grasp for what she wants.
Weetzie embraces life fully with love and sadness and everything in
between.
Potential Challenges:
Parents
may be concerned that the sexual subject matter and inclusion of homosexual
relationships is too mature for their child.
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