Westminster Abby (S.A.S.S.) [Paperback]

Micol Ostow (Author)

Book Description

Series: S.A.S.S. | Publication Date: May 5, 2005

Abby has always considered herself to be a little vanilla—sweet, plain, but not very exciting. So when she finds herself flying across the ocean to London, trying to forget her problems with her cheating ex-boyfriend and her overprotective parents, she figures her semester abroad is her chance to become one big hot fudge sundae. And she isn’t disappointed. London boasts a plethora of funky pubs and shops, drivers on the wrong side of the street, French fries called chips, and a very charming Brit named Ian. As Abby moves closer to the vision of her wild child self, she realizes that sometimes leaving what you know best actually brings you closer to what you best know—yourself. This S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) novel is one of the first two in our new study abroad fiction series. Teen girls will latch onto these books as they’re enmeshed in the lives of characters just like themselves, who are experiencing new cultures, new friendships, and new worlds through study abroad!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–After Abby's controlling parents learn that their normally honest, obedient daughter has lied to them about a boy, they punish her by sending her to study in London over the summer. There the organized, studious, and "terminally boring" 16-year-old learns to be a little more daring and to trust her own judgment. Readers will get the vicarious thrill of being in London with Abby–seeing the sights, making friends, and dealing with a surprise visit from James, the cause of her stay in England. Having gained the affection of two boys, Abby decides finally to favor neither one and to take time to learn more about herself and what she wants from life. Slight in conflict, this book will appeal to teens, and perhaps especially those whose lives are similarly sheltered and somewhat economically privileged.–Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Like Peggy Guthart Strauss' Getting the Boot (2005), Ostow's novel is part of the S.A.S.S. (Students across the Seven Seas) series. The series name sounds a little staid, but, actually, it's a fresh idea. The S.A.S.S. program brings American students to foreign shores. In this book, Abby, a 16-year-old from an overprotective family, has a chance to let loose in London. The big question is whether she will take back her boyfriend, James, who cheated on her, when he shows up in London, or stick with Ian, the Brit from Manchester--even though their relationship will be super-long distance, once she goes home. This is as much as a travel book as a romance, and, for the most part, Ostow does a good job of fitting all the sights, sounds, and smells into the story. Considering the price, this is decent chick lit on the cheap. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Speak (May 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142404136
• ISBN-13: 978-0142404133
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Micol Ostow is half Puerto Rican, half Jewish, half editor, half writer, half chocolate, half peanut butter. When she is under deadline, she is often half asleep. She believes that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts except in the case of Chubby Hubby ice cream. She lives in New York City, where she practices liberal consumption of coffee, cheese, and chocolate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars London Here I Come!, July 22, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Westminster Abby (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

Sixteen-year-old Abby Capshaw has always been the quiet girl. The one who spends her time studying, or hanging out with a couple of close friends, as opposed to the party girl who goes through guys like candy. Basically, she's miss boring, the kind of girl who may be sweet, but not very exciting. That is, until she finds herself chosen for the Students Across the Seven Seas Program, and is quickly in a plane leaving New York City, and heading for London, England, where she'll have the chance to spend a semester away from her over-bearing parents, living on her own in a marvelous new country. This is her chance to change herself from plain vanilla, into a wild hot fudge sundae, and she's not at all mistaken. London is home to funky pubs, splendid shopping, and a cute little bloke named Ian, who definitely likes Abby. But suddenly, as Abby begins trying to embrace this wild child side of her personality, she realizes that sometimes leaving behind the true you shows you the thing you know best - yourself.

I've always adored the idea of studying abroad, especially in such a fabulous place as London, England, which is why I went wild when I came across Micol Ostow's WESTMINSTER ABBY on a recent trip to the bookstore. Abby is a cute character whose fabulous personality will appeal to readers of all ages. The wonderful people she meets in London are dabbed in throughout the book, and really make you feel as if you are right there along Abby and her pals as they explore the wonderful streets of London. Filled with e-mails between Abby and her parents, her best friend from home, and her ex-boyfriend, WESTMINSTER ABBY brings to life the idea of living on your own for the first time, and getting swept up into overseas romance. A wonderful quick read.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start to The Series for Me..., June 18, 2006

By 

TybaltTino "Tino" (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Westminster Abby (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

I started the S.A.S.S. series with this book about a year ago, and this one was actually a really nice start. It interests you and makes you want to go to London yourself and experience what Abby did. I think that if you want to start the series, you should go with this one, and then decide for yourself if you want to continue. Great and easy-to-read books! :)

4.0 out of 5 stars i wasnt sure when i picked this up but all in all a pleasent read, April 20, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Westminster Abby (S.A.S.S.) (Paperback)

i bought this book at a thrift store and i wasnt sure about its quality but i wasnt really looking for that great of a book at a thrift store. I was surprised because it acually sparked my intrest in some parts! the love triangles and the usual teenage stuff appealed to me! this is a good book for teenage readers