CLARA IN WASHINGTON

CLARA IN WASHINGTON   by Penny Tangey   (LWH)

The main reason for wanting to read this new release YA novel was because it was written by the daughter of one of our teaching staff, Marilyn Tangey (who is currently on leave and teaching in East Timor). This is not Penny's first novel but as I hadn't ever read one of her novels I thought I'd give it a try, especially being a young Australian writer.

Clara, who has just finished VCE and has decided to travel with her mother to Washington and spend the Summer holidays rediscovering herself and to be someone else other than 'a studious geek' which some of her friends describe her. Clara's mum was always working long hours so Clara, who is sick of staying indoors watching TV, decides to don the gloves and scarf for the chilly Winter weather in Washington, to venture out on her own in a new and strange country, where at times she is fearful and very nervous getting around on the subways by herself, and constantly scared she may be mugged. She decides to overcome her fear of leaving the apartment and visit a few museums and do some 'tourist' thngs.

She eventually decides to join a few charity groups to get to know people and stop from getting board. She helps serve breakfast at a women's homeless shelter each morning and makes a few friends, and joins a group called 'Reading Beyond Bars' which sends books to prisoners. Through this group she meets Campbell, falling head over heals for him, and can't wait for the next time they can meet. He is a member/leader of an anarchists group and Clara is swayed into their teaching and ideas, mostly to impress Campbell and his friends. Clara has to comes to terms with what she really believes and what really matters to her.

It wasn't a bad read but I got a little bored with it. It is a 'coming-of-age' story I guess, which I think based was on the author's personal experiences in Washington. Clara wanted an adventure and thought moving to the other side of the world would do that for her but she didn't have much confidence and everything became very overwhelming to her. It was interesting when she joined the Anarchists group and was determined when her VCE results came not to open them as that would put labels on her. I don't think I could've left the envelope unopened if it was me waiting for results. Most YA would identify a little with Clara I suppose so it's worth a read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   CLICK HERE to read an interview with Penny and Tristan Bancks and learn more about her writing.

Penny's first YA novel 'Loving Richard Feynman' was shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Award for older readers and shortlisted for the WA Premier's Book Award for Young Adults. Penny lives in Melbourne.