P.S. Longer Letter Later

by Paula Danziger, Ann M. Martin

Overview

The beloved collaboration between legendary authors Ann M. Martin and Paula Danziger, telling the story of two inseparable best friends who are suddenly separated... and must try to stay in touch.

Twelve-year-old best friends Elizabeth and Tara*Starr continue their friendship through letter-writing after Tara*Starr's family moves to another state, in a complex and emotionally rich novel about two friends coping with overwhelming change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546119128
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	07/02/2024
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	619,247
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Award-winning and beloved author, Paula Danziger died on the afternoon of July 8, 2004 at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City after complications from a heart attack at age 59. Danziger is best known as the author of The Amber Brown series and the modern classic, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Set to celebrate its 30th anniversary this fall, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit quickly established Danziger as one of America's most popular authors for young adults.
Ann M. Martin is the creator of The Baby-sitters Club, which has more than 190 million books in print, making it one of the most popular series in the history of publishing. Her novels include A Corner of the Universe (a Newbery Honor Book), Belle Teal, Here Today, A Dog's Life, On Christmas Eve, and the Main Street and Family Tree series, as well as the much-loved collaborations P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More with Paula Danziger. Ann lives in upstate New York.

Editorial Reviews

If Danziger and Martin had been childhood pen pals, their correspondence might have read much like this strikingly insightful epistolary novel. Each known for a finely tuned ear to her audience, the venerable authors here do a splendid job of creating a story based on the letters exchanged between 12-year-old best friends, one of whom has just moved to another state. The authors' distinctive voices give the collaboration a rare spontaneity and realism. Impulsive, outgoing Tara*Starr streaks her hair purple, can't resist a pun, pens an irreverent column for her school paper and fancies creme-filled, frosted doughnuts with sprinkles. The whole-wheat variety is the doughnut of choice for quiet, thoughtful Elizabeth, who enjoys cross-stitching, launches a poetry journal at school and isn't quite ready to pierce her ears. Tara's life, which had been chaotic prior to her move, hits some unanticipated twists: her mother and father (who had Tara at 17) begin acting like parents for the first time (taking steady jobs, setting rules around the house) and her mother becomes pregnant. Elizabeth, meanwhile, whose life was quite predictable and steady, faces cataclysmic change when her spendthrift father loses his job, struggles with alcohol and abandons his wife and daughters. Her crises spawn some moving passages, including her response to Tara's ironic complaints that her life is "a shambles" because snow postponed the school play; "It better turn around soon," writes Elizabeth, "Your life is the only good one I have." Readers will also readily identify with Tara's confessions of inadequacy about how to console Elizabeth (e.g., "Zounds! Zounds! Zounds!/ A million times Zounds!/ I don't know what to say. Your news is soooooooo awful!"). Even when the girls argue and the time between letters grows, readers can appreciate what goes into the erosion and rebuilding of friendship. Given Danziger's and Martin's penchant for continuing story lines, readers can only hope that this will be an ongoing correspondence. Ages 10-13. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

(Gr 5-8) - Two adolescent girls try very hard to sustain their "best friend" status despite geographical separation. The protagonists have very different personalities, yet there is a strong bond between them. Tara*Starr is a creative, flamboyant youngster while Elizabeth is more introspective. This contrast adds liveliness to the narrative. Both are bright and imaginative. Their story is told in alternating voices via their correspondences after Tara*Starr moves to Ohio. Danziger and Martin know how to speak in these young voices and manage to capture many of the nuances of their relationship. The feelings the girls share about new friends, separation, and adjustment ring true. Of course, the two authors cram a great deal into this book. Elizabeth's family is upper-middle class while Tara*Starr's parents, who are only in their late 20s, have been struggling to grow into their "adulthood" financially and emotionally. In a reversal of fortunes, Elizabeth's family situation begins to fall apart as greater security develops for Tara*Starr. Both girls remain there for one another despite temporary misunderstandings. The authenticity of the well-drawn characters gives life and vitality to the story. Changes occur in both girls, and though they keep their friendship alive, it changes as well. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this fast-paced read. Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

School Library Journal