Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink

July 9, 2012
Libbyâan enthusiastic student of fashion, the past, and fashions pastâventures from her Minnesota home to intern at an 18th-century living history museum in Maine for the summer before her senior year. A fan of Jane Austen, Libby dreams "of a time of true love, courtly manners, and real gentle-man," but her problems (namely an overzealous, cat-loving roommate named Ashling) begin as swiftly as her romantic interludes. Buff sailor boy Cam recites Shakespeare to Libby as she prepares to teach open-hearth cooking, needlepoint, and other domesticities to eight- to 10-year-old girls. Another boy, Garrett, shows up to report on the camp's alleged ghost for the local newspaper, and Libby joins him on the lookout for the paranormal. Debut author Strohm fills her novel with cute historical factoids and even cuter frocks, sometimes at the expense of character development. Even so, she turns a strong heroine and a few surprises into a clever, tightly written book that will keep readers wondering who will become Libby's true Mr. Darcy. Ages 12âup. Agent: Amanda Lewis, Doe Coover Agency.

April 1, 2012
Readers willing to put aside literary qualms will find themselves set for a summer afternoon with this undemanding romance. History-obsessed fashion maven Libby is thrilled at the prospect of spending her summer at the Camden Harbor 18th-century living-history museum in Maine. But her insane roommate never leaves character, and electronics are forbidden, so when a museum employee is needed to chaperone a cub reporter investigating ghost sightings on one of the museum's ships, she jumps at the opportunity. Garrett may be a Star Trek-loving nerd, but she'll be able to use her cell phone when she's off duty. Libby enjoys her job as counselor for Girls of Long Ago Camp, and she loves the attention she's getting from hot demo sailor Cam. References aplenty to Jane Austen and Scooby-Doo will clue readers in to the resolutions of both the romance and the mystery, but it's a breezy ride despite the total lack of suspense. Strohm has a good sense of slapstick and an ear for one-liners. In describing her Fourth-of-July costume, Libby remarks that "[i]t looked like America had thrown up on me." While Libby's air-headedness never quite jibes with her professed love of history, she is nevertheless likable, if pretty one-dimensional. Good fun for readers willing to surrender to it. (Chick lit. 12 & up)

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May 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Quirky and naive history buff and fashionista Libby Kelting disappoints her stereotypically gay BFF Dev by turning down an offer to go with him to NYC for a "Devil Wears Prada" summer job and instead becomes a historical interpretation intern (aka glorified camp counselor) at an 18th-century seaside village in Maine. As Libby parades in designer shoes past her khaki-clad fellow interns and researchers, her sunny optimism and voluptuous figure attract the attention of the muscular crew of "Squaddies" working on Camden Harbor's restored ships. Before she knows it, her heart is taken by Shakespeare-quoting, handsome Cameron. Although Libby finds 18th-century cooking to be pretty disgusting, she truly enjoys working on colonial domestic arts with her adorable group of eight-year-old campers. In a desperate attempt to get away from her toxic roommate, Libby offers to bunk with geeky rookie newspaper reporter Garrett, which represents the only majorly contrived and absurdly unlikely note in this otherwise charming and clever debut novel. Though there is a mature scene in which underage drinking occurs at a beach party, Pilgrims will be enjoyed by fans of romantic comedies; it's as sweet as a piece of seaside taffy but with the earnest message that true love is deeper than a pretty face spouting sonnets.-Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Grades 7-10 Teen Libby Kelting is spending her summer churning butter in a corset at a living-history museum in Camden, Maine. A fashion-loving history buff, Libby rocks her 1791 garb at the museum's Girls of Long Ago Camp, where she teaches eight-year-olds how to bake over a hearth. Throw in a ripped-from-a-romance-novel love interest, and nights spent with Star Trekobsessed Garrett in the fo'c'sle of a ship, and you've got a fairly entertaining summer. Interesting historical facts are woven throughout ( Different shoes for right and left feet weren't invented until 1818 ), but, mostly, Strohm's debut is breezy beach readingit'll go down as easily as Libby's Colonial Caramel Apple Pie.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)