The True Meaning of Cleavage

The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) ISBN: 0-689-85092-1

Plot Summary

Sari and Jess are best friends.  Sari, though, is hot.  And Jess is interested in science fiction novels, horror movies, and drawing.  Jess sees herself as a nerd with no prospects for a social life beyond her relationship with Sari.  Sari has grander aspirations: she has a crush on David Cole -- the most popular boy in school and one half of Eldridge Alternative High School's power couple (with his better half Thea).  Sari relentlessly pursues a relationship with David.  Something happens between them at Erica's New Year's Eve party in the bathroom (Sari says it isn't sex, but it's more than kissing).  Sari starts disappearing every Thursday to do "stuff" with David.  But David is still very publicly dating Thea.  Sari and Jess begin to move apart as it becomes apparent that Sari could move about in the world of popular students.  Jess struggles with her classes, attempts to draw portraiture,  and the emotional distance emerging between her and Sari.  Rumors start to circulate about Sari (she gets tagged as a slut), and Jess inadvertently (our out of spite and jealousy) lets slip that something is happening between David and Sari.  Can Jess survive high school?  Can her relationship with Sari be repaired?  Can Sari's reputation?

Critical Evaluation

The most compelling aspect of Fredericks' take on the typical high school romance is the point of view we see the story from.  Jess is the friend left behind.  She doesn't fit in as easily as Sari and is thus outside not only of the novel's main relationship, but also outside the social circle/system in which that relationship takes place.  This distance lends ambiguity to Sari and David's relationship.  Ultimately, David admits to having cheated on Thea on New Year's Eve, but says it was a one time occurrence.  Sari suggests that they've been meeting much more frequently than that, but no character ever corroborates that.  So, questions remain about whether or not the relationship was real or imagined.  Since we never see Sari and David's intimate moments, we can't see how seriously each takes the relationship.  We can't be sure if David is a total jerk who is using both Thea and Sari; if Sari took advantage of a drunken David and then imagined the rest of their relationship; or if David is conflicted/confused and truly has feelings for both girls.  It's an unusual position; we aren't given full details and so our feelings remain mixed and unsettled.  Ultimately, Fredricks is able to recreate the feelings we have about high school gossip that can't be fully proven or debunked.  The sense of scandal and that the stakes are life-or-death is strong throughout.  The novel is able to drudge up feelings that adults aren't commonly forced to recall but that teens reckon with on an almost daily basis.

Reader’s Annotation

Jess feels her friendship with Sari slipping away.  She already feels like an outsider because of her interests in art and science fiction.  What will she do if she loses her only strong friendship?

Information about the author

From the author's webpage:

I was born and raised in New York City. I went to a school quite like Eldridge Alternative, except they called it the Calhoun Learning Center. The school had no walls, but remained standing nonetheless. Later, I attended Vassar College, which did have walls.  

I’ve never lived anywhere else, but I’ve visited Lenin’s Tomb in Moscow and other famous places with dead people in them. (When visiting Grant’s Tomb, I asked them to open it, but they refused.) I’ve had a lot of jobs, and most of them involved books. I’ve reviewed books, shelved books, and sold books. Writing books is definitely the best job I’ve had so far. Not only can you get up late in the morning, you have your dog to keep you company and sort out the odd grammar problem. (Most businesses do not permit basset hounds on the premises which is probably wise.) (Fredericks 2013)
 

Genre

Romance/Coming of Age from the perspective of a sci-fi obsessed third person observer.  While Jess's relationship with her friend Danny becomes closer, it is never clear if it is a friendship or more than that.  So, the book offers a different perspective on the high school romance novel from the point of view of the best friend.

Curriculum Ties

There are no obvious curricular ties.  The book is an easy read and might hold the interest of some teens who feel alienated or lonely, so it might be appropriate for reluctant readers or students who are having trouble adjusting to high school life.

Booktalking Ideas

1) The narrator is interested in art -- fan art and portraiture.  This will be a way to connect with some teens.
2) The book's narrator is a fan of horror and science fiction novels, some teens will relate to this.
3) Other teens may just be interested in the issues of friendship and romantic relationships.

Reading Level/Interest Age

The characters are freshman in high school and the author is careful to never say just what it was Sari did in the bathroom with David, but it was clearly sexual and there is discussion about sex -- this might suggest the reading level is 9th grade an up.  The book is likely to appeal to students transitioning from middle school to high school.  The interest age is likely 7th grade and up.

Challenge Issues

While Jess abstains from alcohol and sexual activity, other characters drink and there is implied sexual activity.

I would openly greet any patron who presented a challenge to the work, giving them ample time to detail their complaint.  I would listen attentively.  To respond to these challenges I would have some reviews of the work on hand.   I would be prepared to explain that as a public institution libraries "cannot limit access on the basis of age or other characteristics" (ALA, 1999).  I would have copies of the library's collection policy on hand.  I would be prepared to politely discuss that parents can control what their children are exposed to by coming to the library with them and examining books they check out.  If the Teen Advisory Group had written reviews of the book I'd have them handy.  While it may be of little comfort to certain parents, I would also be prepared to discuss my staunch support of intellectual freedom and abhorrence of censorship.  As a last resort, I would be sure to keep copies or a reconsideration form on hand.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?

It had a prominent and positive blurb review from Meg Cabot.

References

American Library Association. (1999). Strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips

Fredericks, M. About me. Retrieved from http://mariahfredericks.wordpress.com/about/