YA Poetry: MAKE LEMONADE by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Wolff, Virginia Euwer. 1993. MAKE LEMONADE. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805080708

LaVaughn is a driven teen who is determined to make it to college, despite her circumstances. To earn money, she takes a babysitting job for Jolly, a teen girl with two young children, who just can’t seem make things right. Jolly has lost yet another job and relies on, if not takes advantage of, LaVaughn’s generous nature. Though Jolly appears to be irresponsible, she is determined to make it on her own, refusing to accept welfare. LaVaughn learns much about life and herself through her interactions with Jolly’s family, and the guidance of her tough but caring mother, all while guiding Jolly to helping herself through education and support. 

This novel in verse provides a profound and uplifting, though rough, experience for the reader. LaVaughn tells the story through her eyes and memory, as she states in the beginning with this comparison, “It’s like a bird. One minute it’s picking up something off the sidewalk and you recognize it all together as a bird eating. The next minute it’s gone into the traffic on the street and you try to remember how that bird was, how its point feet were strutting and its neck was bulging back and forth but it’s gone and you’re the only one can tell it was there in front of you. This is like that” (Wolff 3). Though LaVaughn’s situation and problems can be fairly specific, some are more general and relatable to many. Her worries about qualifying for and affording collage, overcoming one’s situation in life, when to help and when to look out for yourself, and determination to achieve goals are things many issues many teens deal with. “This word COLLEGE is in my house, and you have to walk around it in the rooms like furniture” (Wolff 9).

 LaVaughn is a strong and interesting character whose realistic kindness, sensitivity, and integrity is refreshing in a sea of overly flawed YA literature characters. Though the circumstances and situations in the story are tough, the title rings true with the story being overall positive, making lemonade. “These girls could be from more than one ethnic group and almost any inner city--the setting is deliberately vague; but their troubles--explored in exquisite specificity--are universal. Hopeful--and powerfully moving” (Kirkus Reviews, 1993). The setting is integral to the story, though not overly described, with the exception of Jolly’s apartment. The vivid descriptions of the filthy state of the place help to emphasize Jolly’s helpless circumstances. The overall theme of overcoming obstacles is appropriate and appealing to teens, and presented in a non preachy way. “That education is the bridge to a better life is the unapologetic, unmistakable theme, symbolized by the sprouting of the lemon seeds LaVaughn plants for Jolly's children. At once disturbing and uplifting, this finely nuanced, touching portrait proudly affirms our ability to reach beyond ourselves and reach out to one another” (Stephanie Zvirin, Booklist, June 1993). The stream of thought style of writing and language used lend authenticity to the thoughts and actions of the characters.  

Classroom Connections:

-        Pair with another book, especially nonfiction, about teens in inner city life

-        Use in conjunction with a college research project, students can reflect on their own goals for college or other further education after high school

Best Books:

Best Books, 1993 ; Parents Magazine; United States
Best of the Best Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens), 2001 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars, June 1993 ; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1993 ; American Library Association; United States
Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Twelfth Edition, 1995 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1993 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
English Journal Honor Listing, 1994 ; English Journal; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, 1993 ; United States
Lasting Connections, 1993 ; American Library Association; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 1994 ; NCTE Children's Literature Assembly; United States
Notable Children's Books, 1994 ; Association for Library Service to Children; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 1993 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 1993 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books for Young Adults, 1993 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Fifteenth Edition, 1997 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Teachers' Choices, 1994 ; International Reading Association; United States
Top of the List, 1993 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 1994 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1994 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Golden Kite Award, 1994 Award Book Fiction United States
Reading Magic Award, 1993 Winner United States
Thumbs Up! Award, 1994 Winner Michigan