Undercover [Paperback]

Beth Kephart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2009

Like a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, Elisa ghostwrites love notes for the boys in her school. But when Elisa falls for Theo Moses, things change fast. Theo asks for verses to court the lovely Lila—a girl known for her beauty, her popularity, and a cutting ability to remind Elisa that she has none of these. At home, Elisa's father, the one person she feels understands her, has left on an extended business trip. As the days grow shorter, Elisa worries that the increasingly urgent letters she sends her father won't bring him home. Like the undercover agent she feels she has become, Elisa retreats to a pond in the woods, where her talent for ice-skating gives her the confidence to come out from under cover and take center stage. But when Lila becomes jealous of Theo's friendship with Elisa, her revenge nearly destroys Elisa's ice-skating dreams and her plan to reunite her family.

National Book Award nominee Beth Kephart's first young adult novel is a stunning debut.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Readers will fall easily into the compelling premise and Elisa’s memorable, graceful voice, and have no trouble recognizing the teen’s quiet courage as she leaves her comfortable isolation, claims her own talents, and embraces the people who matter most.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“(An) intelligent, multilayered love story…Neatly balancing action and contemplation, Kephart offers a plethora of images, ideas about literature and even some well-known poems along with a plot that will speak to many teens.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

“A beautifully written, engrossing tale…This is a book that no serious-minded teen will want to miss, and high school English teachers may also take note as it has a well-crafted and highly teachable text.” Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library (School Library Journal (starred review) )

About the Author

Beth Kephart was nominated for a National Book Award for her memoir A Slant of Sun. Her first novel for teens, Undercover, received four starred reviews and was named a Best Book by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Amazon.com. In 2005 Beth was awarded the Speakeasy Poetry Prize. She has also written Into the Tangle of Friendship: A Memoir of the Things That Matter; Still Love in Strange Places: A Memoir; Ghosts in the Garden: Reflections on Endings, Beginnings, and the Unearthing of Self; Flow: The Life and Times of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River; Zenobia: The Curious Book of Business; and House of Dance. She lives in Pennsylvania with her family.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; Reprint edition (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061238953
• ISBN-13: 978-0061238956
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > School & Sports > Girls in Sports

More About the Author

Following the publication of five memoirs and FLOW, the autobiography of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River, I've had the great pleasure of turning my attention to young adult fiction. UNDERCOVER and HOUSE OF DANCE were both named a best of the year by Kirkus and Bank Street. NOTHING BUT GHOSTS, A HEART IS NOT A SIZE, and DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS were critically acclaimed. In October YOU ARE MY ONLY will be released by Egmont USA. Next summer, Philomel will release SMALL DAMAGES. I am at work on a prequel to DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS, a novel for adults, and a memoir about teaching. Please visit my blog: http://beth-kephart.blogspot.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Talents and Loneliness, January 26, 2008

By 

Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

The Cantors were once a happy family, but now they are drifting apart. The mother and older daughter, Jilly, match, with their gleaming smiles and shiny blond hair. The father is often out of town on business, sending her postcards from other cities. The youngest daughter, Elisa, would rather be alone with her thoughts than gossiping with her classmates.

Elisa has a talent for writing and poetry. At school, she secretly writes love notes for boys to give to the girls they like - the kind of girl she will never be - the kind of girl she has no desire to be. After taking her mother's old skates down to a frozen pond, she discovers a new talent: ice skating. She tries to keep these talents hidden and stay undercover, but, bit by bit, a classmate, a teacher, and her family discover them - discover her.

Written in lyrical, descriptive prose with occasional poems and quotes from Cyrano de Bergerac, Undercover is like Elisa: quietly beautiful, artistic, and hopeful.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story + great blog too, October 20, 2007

By 

Jennie Nash (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

As the mom of a 'tween and a teen girl, I wanted to stand up and cheer for this story. The best thing I can say is that it's REAL. It feels like the real thoughts of a real girl living a real life, and in this world dominated by High School Musical I think that's something we desperately need. And FYI: Beth Kephart has a great blog at
http://beth-kephart.blogspot.com/

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Writing, November 15, 2007

By 

Dale R. Niemeier (Southern USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Undercover (Laura Geringer Books) (Hardcover)

As a secondary level instructor, I am always seeking well written novels for my students to read. Undercover, by Beth Kephart, is written in a beautifully descriptive tone throughout. She never misses a beat. Elisa, the heroine, is a girl whom most students can easily admire and desire to emulate. This novel helped my students understand why it's necessary to work on their language skills in order to have the power to communicate their feelings, hopes and desires.