Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras [Paperback]

Cathy Hopkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2001

A turning point is exactly what Lucy Loverling does NOT want. Everything is changing around her, and suddenly she has to make all sorts of decisions. Everyone else knows who and what she wants to be except her. Izzie has become friends with the glamorous Nesta, and Lucy isn't certain she likes a threesome. Nesta and Izzie look sixteen, but Lucy, at fourteen, can still pass for a twelve-year-old.

But then one day Lucy sees the most wonderful boy crossing the street, and things do start to change -- in all areas of her life...

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9–Lucy, the main character in Cathy Hopkins's novel (Simon Pulse, pap. 2003), will remind listeners of Georgia in Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series (HarperCollins). The story here is told in the first person, but not in the scatter-shot diary format favored by Georgia. Fourteen-year-old Lucy is more introspective, less self-centered, and less superficial than Georgia, if not quite as laugh-out-loud hysterical. There is plenty here on the subject of boys, appearance, and changing friendships, and there's also is a fair dose of humor. Lucy displays a sensitivity and concern for her place in her family, her friendships, and her world. Amanda Hulme's rendition reflects the voice and phrasing of a young teen very well. She also subtly but convincingly distinguishes between the other characters. As Lucy struggles with looking younger than her friends and defining what she might like to do in the future with her particular talents, she meets her dream boy and she must seriously consider what it means to grow up and to find her own way. Fans of Georgia Nicolson will enjoy this well-rounded look at another young teenager working her way through the transition from young teen to adulthood. This thoughtful novel belongs in all audio collections serving young teens.–Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Cathy Hopkins' Mates, Dates, and Cosmic Kisses.

Gr. 6-10. These two titles join the recent British invasion of funny, on-the-mark novels that read like a junior Bridget Jones' Diary. Centered on a trio of high-school friends, each book is told from a different character's point of view. Cosmic Kisses is Izzy's story, and she describes her first painful obsession over a boy. Luckily, her concerned pals are waiting when she comes to her senses, and she moves on. Inflatable Bras is narrated by Lucy, who, at 14, feels flat-chested and immature in comparison to Izzy and Nesta, her two gorgeous best friends. A what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up assignment exacerbates Lucy's identity crisis, but she finds direction and confidence (and even a cute guy) when her friends encourage her sewing talents and fashion flair. Both novels fly along with pitch-perfect details and slapstick humor that is deepened by sharp insights into real issues: friendship, insecurities, growing independence, and family conflict. Teen girls will devour these whole; they'll easily see themselves in each girl's struggle. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Piccadilly Press Ltd (February 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853406333
• ISBN-13: 978-1853406331
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,388,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!, January 3, 2003

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras (Mass Market Paperback)

Lucy is 14, yet looks like a 12-year-old. Boy that is. She's flat chested, short, and she just doesn't have the looks that she wants. Her two best friends, Nesta and Izzie, are the complete opposite of her. They are both 14, yet looks 16. Lucy decides, after falling in love with a guy at first sight, that she's going to change. She needs a makeover. Only she didn't realize how badly the makeover would turn out. Has she destroyed her looks even more than she thought they originally were?

This is a hilarious books, with 3 characters that readers will be able to relate to instantly. Fans of Jacqueline Wilson's "Girls Trilogy" will relish in the likeness between the 2 series, and the similarities between the 3 characters. The supermodel-type, Alanis Morisette-type, and the left-out-type. This is a must read for everyone. Especially girls who LOVED "Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging", and the "Girls trilogy." I give this series 2 thumbs up.

Erika Sorocco

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Make a "Date" with this Book: Light and Sweet; just right!, June 14, 2003

By 

"liaden" (Somewhere Over the Rainbow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras (Mass Market Paperback)

Okay, my initial reaction to the title of this book was that it was a total rip-off of Louise Rennison's novels, and I was determined to read it, and then leave a scathingly honest review about it right here, revealing it to be a scam.

Alas, you can see that this is not how it ended up. See, despite the main character resembling Rennison's Georgia (both are joke-prone English 14 year olds) she is completely unique and with different goals that her counterpart. I ended up enjoying every last word of this delicious novel.

Lucy Loverling's life is coming undone. Suddenly, everyone is telling her to make descisions about her life she doesn't even want to think about yet. It seems like everyone else she knows, knows exactly what they want to do with their lives. Her best friend Izzie is apparently being stolen away from her by beautiful and poised Nesta, and she has to deal with her crazy and slightly poor family. Not to mention the gorgeous boy she falls for at first sight--who turns out to be Nesta's brother!

A cute story about finding your identity and finding your friends. A happily ever after with fun characters who are well-rounded and geared for sequels to come. 4 stars because it was sweet and fun and meaningful, but it lost the fifth to unoriginallity. I can't wait to read the sequel!

Have fun reading this feel-good novel and look out for future novels to come! Happy Reading!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Read!, July 10, 2005

By 

Melinda Howard (Lennon, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book! It was very funny and good to read when you just want to escape from the real world. This book is about a young girl who is in love with her friends older brother and even though her friend says that he has hurt alot of girls and broken alot of hearts she still doesnt stop hopeing that they will end up together. I loved this book even though it was kinda sort and i read it in about 2 hours! Overall a good read for teens.