ARA Review by shelljack24 of The Wonder Year

[shelljack24]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, The Wonder Year.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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The Wonder Year


Lucia is from Spain and her story entails of unbreakable bonds, challenges, life changing experiences, unforgettable love and life lessons. Lucia always had an eagerness to learn English. At the age of 14, her parents sent her to Ireland for the summer. There she would live with a host family in Ballina and attend classes. At the the age of 17, she received an opportunity to be an exchange student in America. This would be a one year term. She would be staying with a host family in Pennsylvania. She was excited and wanted to enjoy the experience to the fullest. She soon realized that she would have to take English language more serious.


Lucia began to see the difference between the two cultures. She travelled with her host family to Vermont, New York, and North Carolina. When it was time for High School to start, she was rather thrilled but nervous at the same time. The food was better, variety of classes, and she made new friends. She participated in all activities of an American school girl, including prom, senior pics and driving lessons. She got her first part time job and knew she hated dissecting frogs in Science class. The year went by faster than she had anticipated, unfortunately her English was not improving.


Steve was her first crush. She found herself unable and afraid to let go of what she knew was a temporary love. Lucia placed too much of her focus on Steve. She held on for far too many years. They lived too far apart and long distance relationships are hard to hold onto. It came time for graduation and returning home. She was leaving her host family with "heavy heart. She returned and passed her entrance exam into college.


I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars. The story was to be about Lucia's journey as an exchange student, but yet, sounded more like a Lucia & Steve journey. I must agree with her it sounds "never ending" when it comes to Steve. Lucia has definitely had an experience as an exchange student from Spain.

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