When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.
**
### From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-While the premise of Going Vintage appears to be the usual run-of-the-mill romantic fodder-girl is wildly in love with her boyfriend, boy cheats on girl, girl seeks to find herself-it becomes evident from the opening chapter that Leavitt is exploring new romantic territory here. When Mallory discovers that Jeremy has been cheating on her with "Bubbleyum," a girl he is "married" to in a virtual simulation game, she declares him to be a "tool" and swears off all 21st-century technology. She finds a list her grandmother made during her junior year of high school, in 1962, to guide a personal journey of self-discovery. How hard could it be to sew a homecoming dress, "find a steady," and become Pep Club secretary? Since Mallory can't sew, recently dumped her boyfriend, and doesn't even know what a Pep Club is, she ropes her sister and grandmother into helping her complete the list. Filled with humor and style, this title will capture teens' attention from the first page to the last. The characters are relatable, as are Mallory's situations. It's refreshing that the protagonist's resolve not to let Jeremy back into her life does not waiver and that she doesn't jump into another relationship to get over the old one. A quick, enjoyable read and an enchanting addition to the chick-lit genre.-Tammy Turner, Centennial High School, Frisco, TXα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
### From Booklist
Mallory breaks up with her boyfriend, Jason, when she learns he has a “wife” on the website Authentic Life. This betrayal, along with the discovery of a to-do list her grandmother wrote when she was a 16-year-old, gives Mallory the idea to give up modern technology and other contemporary accoutrements until she can check off all the things on Grandma Vivian’s list. Start a pep club! Sew a prom dress! It isn’t easy, but Mallory throws herself into her project and learns more about herself and her family than she ever expected. Leavitt has found a fine hook on which to hang her story. The differences and similarities of two very different eras will intrigue readers, though it will probably be the interpersonal relationships—especially the one between Mallory and Jason’s cousin, Oliver—that will keep them turning pages. Mallory’s bond with her sister is also sweet and true. Told in Mallory’s amusing first-person voice, the story has a lot going on, but everything, from both time periods, gets neatly tied. Grades 7-10. --Ilene Cooper
Description:
When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.
**
### From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-While the premise of Going Vintage appears to be the usual run-of-the-mill romantic fodder-girl is wildly in love with her boyfriend, boy cheats on girl, girl seeks to find herself-it becomes evident from the opening chapter that Leavitt is exploring new romantic territory here. When Mallory discovers that Jeremy has been cheating on her with "Bubbleyum," a girl he is "married" to in a virtual simulation game, she declares him to be a "tool" and swears off all 21st-century technology. She finds a list her grandmother made during her junior year of high school, in 1962, to guide a personal journey of self-discovery. How hard could it be to sew a homecoming dress, "find a steady," and become Pep Club secretary? Since Mallory can't sew, recently dumped her boyfriend, and doesn't even know what a Pep Club is, she ropes her sister and grandmother into helping her complete the list. Filled with humor and style, this title will capture teens' attention from the first page to the last. The characters are relatable, as are Mallory's situations. It's refreshing that the protagonist's resolve not to let Jeremy back into her life does not waiver and that she doesn't jump into another relationship to get over the old one. A quick, enjoyable read and an enchanting addition to the chick-lit genre.-Tammy Turner, Centennial High School, Frisco, TXα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
### From Booklist
Mallory breaks up with her boyfriend, Jason, when she learns he has a “wife” on the website Authentic Life. This betrayal, along with the discovery of a to-do list her grandmother wrote when she was a 16-year-old, gives Mallory the idea to give up modern technology and other contemporary accoutrements until she can check off all the things on Grandma Vivian’s list. Start a pep club! Sew a prom dress! It isn’t easy, but Mallory throws herself into her project and learns more about herself and her family than she ever expected. Leavitt has found a fine hook on which to hang her story. The differences and similarities of two very different eras will intrigue readers, though it will probably be the interpersonal relationships—especially the one between Mallory and Jason’s cousin, Oliver—that will keep them turning pages. Mallory’s bond with her sister is also sweet and true. Told in Mallory’s amusing first-person voice, the story has a lot going on, but everything, from both time periods, gets neatly tied. Grades 7-10. --Ilene Cooper