Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
ISBN: 978-0-06-085198-9
Cabot, M. (2006). Queen of babble. New York: William Morrow.
Plot Summary
Lizzie Nichols is newly a college graduate going to visit her boyfriend in London. But, Lizzie did not really graduate (she still has to finish her thesis), and her boyfriend is a guy she has not seen in three months. It will all work out great, right? Lizzie arrives in London only to find that Prince Charming Andrew is not really Prince Charming. She quickly takes a train to the south of France to join her best friend Shari and Shari’s boyfriend Chaz as they help cater a wedding at Chateau Mirac. On the way over Lizzie sits next to an incredibly handsome man, Luke, and quickly falls in love and embarrasses herself. Turns out Luke is the son of Chateau Mirac’s owner and Lizzie will be seeing him for the next few weeks. Lizzie’s blabbermouth rubs Luke the wrong way and he basically hates her. Andrew turns up wanting money, Lizzie is still trying to finish her thesis and finally graduate, and needs to figure out a way to make Luke fall in love with her.
Critical Evaluation
Meg Cabot is a Queen of Chick Lit. Perhaps best known for the Princess Diaries series, Cabot is just as adept at writing adult novels. Characters are playful, quirky, humorous, and looking for romance. The setting is every female college grad’s dream, a French chateau. The love interest is every female college grad’s dream, a handsome, wealthy, and educated man with an accent. Though a fluffy novel without too much substance, fans of Cabot will eat this up and enjoy it. The problems and antagonists are not earth shattering, or even particular evil or horrible. It is clear one is supposed to support the protagonist, her friends, and quest for love, but it is not necessary to hate anyone who gets in her way. Handsome man’s girlfriend is spoiled, but appears like a caricature of perfected mean girl-ness. The setting adds some needed element of surprise and the idea that anything can happen. It is only Cabot’s light-hearted writing, and her likeable characters that make any kind of impression. There is nothing particularly outstanding in Queen of Babble, and a happy ending is essentially predetermined, but that does not prevent readers from enjoying the ride.
Reader’s Annotation
Lizzie Nichols has found the love of her life, but he hates her. How is she going to make Luke fall in love with and finish her undergraduate thesis on time?
About the Author
Meg Cabot’s first published book was Where Roses Grow Wild at age 30 and was written as Patricia Cabot. Before moving to one publisher, Cabot also used the pen name Jenny Carroll. She is a prolific writer with twelve series, even more stand-alone novels, and contributes frequently to anthologies. Cabot’s most well-known works are probably the Princess Diaries books that have sold over 20 million copies, translated into 38 languages, and made into two movies by Disney.
Meg Cabot was born in Indiana in 1967. She attended Indiana University at Bloomington, IN and studied studio arts. Cabot always enjoyed writing, but was dissuaded from majoring in creative writing because a guy at a party said majoring in writing would suck the love of writing out of you. Years later Cabot was reintroduced to the guy and ended up marrying him. She worked as an assistant residence hall director at New York University, and uses some of these experiences in her Heather Wells books. Cabot now lives with her husband and two cats in Key West, Florida.
Genre
Romance/Humor
Adult Crossover
Curriculum Ties
History of Fashion
Booktalking
Imagine you’re at a French chateau with your best friends and a gorgeous guy. Lizzie Nichols doesn’t have to imagine, she’s living it.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 9th grade and up/adult
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include sexual relationships. I probably would not include in a school library.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Meg Cabot has had movies based on her book, and is a well-known author of contemporary novels for teens and adults. I felt she is an excellent example of an author whose books might be written for adults, but are also read by teens (and vice-versa). I actually enjoy many of her adult books more than the young adult ones.
Others in the Series
Queen of Babble in the Big City (Book #2)
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (Book #3)
References
Cabot, M. (2013). About meg cabot. Retrieved from www.megcabot.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-085198-9
Cabot, M. (2006). Queen of babble. New York: William Morrow.
Plot Summary
Lizzie Nichols is newly a college graduate going to visit her boyfriend in London. But, Lizzie did not really graduate (she still has to finish her thesis), and her boyfriend is a guy she has not seen in three months. It will all work out great, right? Lizzie arrives in London only to find that Prince Charming Andrew is not really Prince Charming. She quickly takes a train to the south of France to join her best friend Shari and Shari’s boyfriend Chaz as they help cater a wedding at Chateau Mirac. On the way over Lizzie sits next to an incredibly handsome man, Luke, and quickly falls in love and embarrasses herself. Turns out Luke is the son of Chateau Mirac’s owner and Lizzie will be seeing him for the next few weeks. Lizzie’s blabbermouth rubs Luke the wrong way and he basically hates her. Andrew turns up wanting money, Lizzie is still trying to finish her thesis and finally graduate, and needs to figure out a way to make Luke fall in love with her.
Critical Evaluation
Meg Cabot is a Queen of Chick Lit. Perhaps best known for the Princess Diaries series, Cabot is just as adept at writing adult novels. Characters are playful, quirky, humorous, and looking for romance. The setting is every female college grad’s dream, a French chateau. The love interest is every female college grad’s dream, a handsome, wealthy, and educated man with an accent. Though a fluffy novel without too much substance, fans of Cabot will eat this up and enjoy it. The problems and antagonists are not earth shattering, or even particular evil or horrible. It is clear one is supposed to support the protagonist, her friends, and quest for love, but it is not necessary to hate anyone who gets in her way. Handsome man’s girlfriend is spoiled, but appears like a caricature of perfected mean girl-ness. The setting adds some needed element of surprise and the idea that anything can happen. It is only Cabot’s light-hearted writing, and her likeable characters that make any kind of impression. There is nothing particularly outstanding in Queen of Babble, and a happy ending is essentially predetermined, but that does not prevent readers from enjoying the ride.
Reader’s Annotation
Lizzie Nichols has found the love of her life, but he hates her. How is she going to make Luke fall in love with and finish her undergraduate thesis on time?
About the Author
Meg Cabot’s first published book was Where Roses Grow Wild at age 30 and was written as Patricia Cabot. Before moving to one publisher, Cabot also used the pen name Jenny Carroll. She is a prolific writer with twelve series, even more stand-alone novels, and contributes frequently to anthologies. Cabot’s most well-known works are probably the Princess Diaries books that have sold over 20 million copies, translated into 38 languages, and made into two movies by Disney.
Meg Cabot was born in Indiana in 1967. She attended Indiana University at Bloomington, IN and studied studio arts. Cabot always enjoyed writing, but was dissuaded from majoring in creative writing because a guy at a party said majoring in writing would suck the love of writing out of you. Years later Cabot was reintroduced to the guy and ended up marrying him. She worked as an assistant residence hall director at New York University, and uses some of these experiences in her Heather Wells books. Cabot now lives with her husband and two cats in Key West, Florida.
Genre
Romance/Humor
Adult Crossover
Curriculum Ties
History of Fashion
Booktalking
Imagine you’re at a French chateau with your best friends and a gorgeous guy. Lizzie Nichols doesn’t have to imagine, she’s living it.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 9th grade and up/adult
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include sexual relationships. I probably would not include in a school library.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Meg Cabot has had movies based on her book, and is a well-known author of contemporary novels for teens and adults. I felt she is an excellent example of an author whose books might be written for adults, but are also read by teens (and vice-versa). I actually enjoy many of her adult books more than the young adult ones.
Others in the Series
Queen of Babble in the Big City (Book #2)
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (Book #3)
References
Cabot, M. (2013). About meg cabot. Retrieved from www.megcabot.com
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