Customer Reviews

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What a great piece of literature. This book speaks to all ages, but was written especially for young adults (teen). It is a fast moving delightful story of two young people who fall in love during their summer together. The story of Caliope and Eliot, told in the first person, and moves with touching power as each of the main characters speak in individual chapters. Light, yet so moving...bringing one to tears as it is read.

Good literary quality, as well as a great read. Thank you for bringing our young people good literature and a delightful storyline.

After reading a good book I have this fear of reading another, knowing it won't be able to top the one before. I finished Harry Potter 7 and this happened, then I read Eclipse and there was good month pause before I was able to find a book that I could really get into and feel good about. Scrambled Eggs at Midnight was this book.

I loved the witty narrative through out the book and I found it hard to not laugh out loud during class. I could easily relate to both characters (my dad leaving me and my mom being extremely religious but rather hypocritical about it.)

Through out the book I was trying to find some sort of fault and although I did find some (see below) they weren't the typical: this book is so predicatable. Although you know from the reviews on the back cover that it is going to be a happy ending, you aren't exactly sure how that is going to be. It was the first teen romance book that I've read in a long time that wasn't extremely predictable. It was definately a nice change.

Also, although it does follow the typical Romeo and Juliet plot format it was still original, the family dynamics and setting and side plots were something new to me. I loved how the authors kept the side plots going (Eliot's parent's problems) but didn't let it over power the main plot. Generally when I see a side plot the author brings it too much into the story, but that isn't really how the case is when you are so consumed in love like Eliot and Cal. (Or at least I assume.)

My only gripe about the book is that the characters seemed really young (15) and even though they were young they talked even younger at some points. I don't think any 15 year old would call someone 'goober.' But maybe that's just me. Also, some of the references to having a sexual relationship seemed off for 15 year olds a month into a relationship

I recommend this book to anyone who likes the plot, not just young teens. I'm a freshman in college and I still found this book wonderfully written.

I got this book for my birthday, because people always give me books, and this was my favorite of all the ones I read this summer. I told my teacher about it hoping we can read it for class. It is really funny and you really like all of the chracters. Cal and Eliot are both funny and they seem like real people by the time you finish the book.

I personally thought this book was amazing. The dynamics of the characters were well thought out and honest to reality. I've become so sick of reading teenage novels because of the trash that is out there, but this book is really different. The characters remind me of me and my friends and the types of things we'd say and do. For the people who find this book boring I have one thing to say. Books don't have to involve sex, explosions, or people with magical powers to be entertaining. If you are looking for an honest, small town characters romance novel, this is the perfect read.

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it! This book was absolutely amazing.If you love Sarah Dessen's books (and I do!) read this one.

I really enjoyed Scrambled eggs at Midnight. I found the story unique and almost intensely honest. I could connect so completely with the thoughts, wishes and dreams of both characters. I even put my plans for my day on hold so I could finish the story.

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight is quite a wonderful book. Told in alternating chapters by two sad and funny fifteen-year olds, it's smart and touching. Cal and Eliot inhabit a post-modern America of Jesus Fat Camps and Renaissance "Faires," which they describe in satiric detail. Wry observers of their parents' foibles and failures as well, both characters are haunted by loss and longing. The plot is deft, if unsurprising, but it's the fine observation, humor, emotional honesty, and especially the quality of the writing that raise the book high above the formulaic.

Calliope is a normal teenage girl. Well, she wants to be. Unfortunately, her chance at a normal life is overshadowed by the reality of her mother's job, which is that of a wench. "My mother is a wench. It says so right on her W-2." Consequently, the opening at the Asheville Renaissance Faire prompts Calliope's mother, Delores, to pack up and move to North Carolina for employment at the largest Renaissance Faire in the country. And, once again, Calliope is uprooted and whisked away on another one of her mother's whims.

Eliot also wishes to take a stab at normalcy. He is the son of a religious pioneer, otherwise known as "The Dad", who founded the Sonshine Valley Christian Camp, which is a fat-camp filled with Christ. "The Dad" recently expanded his religious marketing horizon to include books and a television channel dedicated to serving the Lord and losing the weight. Eliot, however, is lost in all of the fanaticism, and reminisces on the memories of his family before his father became obsessed with his work.

Then one day Calliope meets Eliot, and they are both fascinated with each other. Their friendship grows and strengthens, and soon their relationship, which both Delores and "The Dad" disapprove of, becomes all-consuming for both parties. But for once, they both feel like what they have is normal.

Sadly, their relationship is threatened by many factors, including Delores's hopes to move once again, and "The Dad" being suspicious of Calliope's theological beliefs. Will Calliope and Eliot's determination to stay close persevere in the end?

SCRAMBLED EGGS AT MIDNIGHT is, for the most part, a light-hearted read. The characters deal with situations somewhat out of the norm, but their personalities and conversations will be easy to relate to for most readers. I recommend this book to readers of all ages, but mostly to teenagers, who will more readily identify themselves with the characters of Calliope and Eliot.

Reviewed by: Emylee

Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler have created an amazing tale! I find this novel to be a refreshing change, and one that should be on the bookshelves of every middle- and high-school library. Cal and Eliot are believable, well-developed characters that any teen/young adult should be able to identify with on some level. The rich descriptions of the first feelings and twinges of love are magnificent, and a certain innocence is intricately weaved throughout making the reader actually "feel" these emotions. This is a book that every young adult should have the opportunity to read. I'm not quite sure where the few off-colored reviews are coming from, but they are certainly not from anyone who has read this novel with appreciation for the wonderment of teenage love in mind.

Brad and Heather were at our school this week. They read part of this book to us and taught us about writing. I bought a copy from them and had them sign it. It's AWESOME. They are great too. Really nice. I told all my friends to buy this book.