Customer Reviews

I Was a Teenage Popsicle

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A great introduction to young readers about 21st century science and the exciting field of cryonics.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I don't think the writing or the plot was particularly remarkable, but there was something in it all that drew me in. I wasn't flipping pages manically or anything like that, but it was interesting enough that I wanted to keep reading. I think the whole futuristic world that the author created was a little far-fetched, but it was just wacky enough to be fun and entertaining to read about. The unitards, sked-pets, and hover blades probably won't happen in the next ten years, but there's a thing about the future world that is undeniably drawing to me. You know how your parents told you stories about how things were so much different in their childhood? It'll be cool to see the stories we're telling our children in 20 years. Will they be as appalled at our ruggedness as we were by our parents'? I think that single aspect of the book was what drew me in. Because really, other than that, there wasn't anything hugely amazing about the story. The plot was predictable as was Taz and Flo's relationship, and the ending was perfect and happy. There needed to be lots more excitement, but I think the book did fine because of its actual subject matter. So although I Was a Teenage Popsicle wasn't terrific, it wasn't horrendous either. I'd recommend it and I myself will try to get to reading the sequel, Beyond Cool, soon.

Imagine waking up ten years later and finding out, while your friends are now young adults, you've still a teenager.

I WAS A TEENAGE POPSICLE by Bev Katz Rosenbaum is about Floe, a sixteen-year-old, who wakes up ten years later after being 'vitrified', or frozen until a cure comes for a rare disease. If that's not bad enough, she has to live with her now 'older sister' and try to fit in her high school where the Star Trek look is all the rage. Her parents are still 'chilling out' and might not be awaken if this one congressman has his way.

Funny and upbeat, I found myself turning the pages wanting to know how Floe will deal with the Mean Girls of the future and still find a way to save her parents. I think teens will enjoy this book and relate with the issues Floe and her guy friend Taz go through while readjusting to life.

Imagine getting sick, falling asleep, and waking up to find out an entire decade has passed in the blink of an eye. That's what happens to sixteen-year-old Floe Ryan in I Was a Teenage Popsicle. Floe grew very sick very quickly, afflicted with the same horrible disease that attacked her parents, who opted to be vitrified (frozen) until a cure was found. They froze Floe also, wanting their eldest daughter to be saved too. Ten years later, Floe is thawed out. She discovers that her younger sister is all grown up and that her parents are still vitrified. While her life was suspended, it completely changed.

It sounds heavy, but it is actually a very light read. A comedy suitable for middle school and high school readers, Popsicle has plenty of laugh-out-loud licks. Though there are spots of science, the book is set not too far in the future and is more about family and friends than sci-fi and experiments. The book's central plot -- saving the cyrogenics center where her parents are, er, residing comfortably -- makes the story more about social action, and the main character's main concerns are fitting in, being accepted by her new classmates, and reconnecting her family. These universal themes, funny bits and hip Southern California setting are sure to make this Popsicle irresistible to teens.

Taz'll definitely make you melt! And warning -- be nice to your kid sis!! Can't wait for the sequel. Bev's my new must-read author. Hope she's thinking screenplay. Popsicle -- the movie. I'm first in line!!

As I've always said, books that attract me are the ones with really clever, original plots ... and this is definitely in that category. Actually, it's so unique it fits in that elusive category agents and publishers are constantly seeking: HIGH CONCEPT.

Author Katz Rosenbaum has created a teen character (Floe Ryan) who is frozen (cryonics) along with her parents because of some rare disease they carry. Now it's ten years later and she's unfrozen, so must learn to cope with all the changes that have taken place during that time. One of the hardest problems is the trauma that comes from being different in the eyes of her classmates. Equally hard on Floe is that her younger sister is now her older sister. And what teen can't imagine the consequences that could arise from a "combustible" sibling situation like that?

Unfortunately, her parents are not thawed yet, and when a problem arises at the Cryonics Center, it's up to her to help solve it. Adding to the intrigue is a hottie boyfriend, Taz, who ... But that's enough of the plot; don't want any spoilers here. You'll have to RFY (read for yourself).

This is a hip book set in a hip California clime, a book that you won't want to put down until the satisfying ending. Chick lit at its best ... with an exciting touch of sci-fi to add to the broader appeal.

Congratulations to Ms. Rosenbaum on an awesome job of structure, characterization, dialogue, description and all the masterful writing that creates a terrific book.

SIDENOTE: You may have noticed that Amazon has made some changes to its website. If it looks the same to you right now, look out for a new format that will be rolling out gradually in the weeks to come. If you can see the changes, especially the review format, I'd like to know what you think. Please leave me a comment with your opinion.

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I loved this book. The characters were so real and interesting. The plot was very unique and creative. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book, Beyond Cool.

I wasn't sure what to expect when starting this book. I really enjoyed it.

It was a little bit science fiction mixed with your typical teen lit teenage drama. Ther characters are all entertaining. What I really enjoyed was seeing how the author portrayed the future to look like. It was really amazing.

I'll definitely be reading the sequel!

The only thing that may separate Floe Ryan from being an ordinary teenager is how she was a popsicle. Well, not the ones you eat, more like the popsicle that is used to describe someone who has been frozen. That is correct, Floe was frozen--or the better term may be vitrified.

At the age of sixteen, Floe and her parents had unfortunately caught an unusual disease, which doctors then did not have a cure for. They were introduced to vitrification, or the process of being frozen until doctors or scientists find a cure for the problem. Luckily for Floe, she was cured from her disease along with the ultra cool Taz, a skater boy whom was also frozen because of catching the same disease.

The only bad thing for Floe finally being thawed out is that it took ten years. So now everything around Floe has changed. People are starting to skate in the air, not on the ground. And her once little sister, who was the only one in the family to not be frozen, is now Floe's older sister. Not only that, but the hope for her family to reunite may not even happen since her parents are still frozen and the chance of them being thawed out is slim to none. The Venice Beach Cryonics Center, where Floe and her parents were vitrified, is now being sued and could most likely close down.

So now Floe has to find a way to save the center and her parents. Adjust to her new life and surroundings. Get used to her little sister now being her older sister. Make new friends who are literally ten times younger than she is and to deal with the typical guy problems. Floe may have some problems, but she can deal with them, right?

Don't let the title I WAS A TEENAGE POPSICLE throw you off. Sure, it's a little weird, but the plot is most definitely original and the novel includes characters that will keep you on your toes. Bev Katz Rosenbaum does an awesome job to paint what the future may look like in your head, and does an even better job to create an awesome cast of characters. The sequel to I WAS A TEENAGE POPSICLE, titled Beyond Cool, will release on August 7, 2007. It can not come soon enough. Another great read from the Berkley Jam titles.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen