What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Bibliography:

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon Pulse, 2003. ISBN 9781442493858

Plot Summary:

Sophie is 15 and she is really into boys, as are most girls at this age. This book covers all the things teen girls typically going through: boys, friends, fights with mom, and growing up in general. Dylan is Sophie's first boyfriend in the story and he is perfect. Then Sophie starts to notice things about Dylan...that she doesn't like. He tells her she shouldn't mention that she is Jewish when she meets his mom. His mom uses the phrase "everyone kept trying to Jew her down on the prices" and this didn't seem to bother Dylan at all, but it bothered Sophie. He is too short; his hands are like a little boy's. He tells her he loves her and all she wants to do is cry. She breaks up with Dylan. She then meets Chaz online and is in love...again! They chat online for hours until he tells her that he likes to "jack off in libraries" and that's the end of that brief relationship.

She goes to a dance with her friends in a dress her mom doesn't approve of and dances with a "masked man." While waiting for her mom an older boy in a group of boys grabs her breasts and she is very upset. She forgets to change her dress and her mom discovers her deceit. Mom rips up the dress at home and becomes very depressed...Sophie feels guilty about causing her sadness. She accidentally meets her friend Murphy (homely Murphy) at the museum and they have fun...they start hanging out. They have lots in common and she likes him more and more. But they are just friends, right?

Critical Analysis:

Sones uses free verse to tell Sophie's story and it is quite effective. The poems or chapters are typically one to three pages long; some are quite short and others ramble on a bit. This alternating rhythm makes the novel a quick, enjoyable read. The poems read easily and flow well from one to the next. It feels like a story or a diary, but without a lot of extra details. Occasionally, there are a few e-mails and chat conversations mixed in within the poems.

The language used by Sonya Sones fits the typical teen girl. Sometimes Sophie is mature and wise beyond her years; other times she is childish and bratty. The inclusion of chat conversations and e-mails adds to the interest of the book and is very appropriate for teens. It is something they do themselves and it helps them to relate to Sophie even more.

Some of Sonya Sones' books are somewhat controversial and maybe some parents don't agree with everything that is in them. However, I feel that What My Mother Doesn't Know sends a great message to girls about listening to your inner voice, being strong, and trusting your feelings.

I know from being a junior high school librarian that Sonya Sones' books are very popular in the library, I could not keep them on the shelf. Girls love them...even some boys read them too!

Excerpt from What My Mother Doesn't Know:

I Wish

I wish I could drink a magic potion and
shrink way down till I was small
enough to fit right into his shirt pocket and live
there tucked near to 
his hear listening
to it beating in
rhythm with
mine every
minute of
every 
day

Review Excerpts:

• From Booklist (starred review) "Fast, funny, touching."
• From Publishers Weekly-"With its separate free verse poems woven into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending, Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A verse experience that will leave readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction."
• ALA 2003 Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• ALA 2002 Best Book for Young Adults
• Booklist Editors' Choice 
• Listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books (2204, 2005, 2010, 2011) 
• 2003 International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice
• 2003-2004 Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice 

Connections:

Gather other books written by Sonya Sones to read such as:
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies ISBN 9781442493834
What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know ISBN 9781442493841
Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy ISBN 9780064462181
To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story ISBN 9780689876042

Have students write a poem or a short story in verse form.

Visit Sonya Sone's website to learn more about her and her other books: http://www.sonyasones.com/index.htm.

Have students tell about a week in their life through verse form, share with class.

Tell students about the little illustrations in the bottom corner of the pages towards the end of the book, it's a tiny flip book by Sonya Sones! When you flip the pages, the couple kisses. Sones used to be an animator...very interesting.