Title: The Espressologist Author: Kristina Springer
ISBN: 9780374322281 Pages: 184
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2009
ISBN: 9780374322281 Pages: 184
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2009
Readers Annotation:
As a hobby, coffee barista Jane Turner keeps a journal that matches personalities with coffee orders. When her boss finds out, he comes up with a matchmaking idea that puts Jane's talent directly in the spotlight.
As a hobby, coffee barista Jane Turner keeps a journal that matches personalities with coffee orders. When her boss finds out, he comes up with a matchmaking idea that puts Jane's talent directly in the spotlight.
Author Information:
Kristina Springer has a master's degree in writing from DePaul University. She began her writing career as a technical writer for a software company, and continued on to freelance writing in 2000. The Espressologist is Springer's debut novel for young adults. Her newest book Just Your Average Princess is due to come out in the Fall of 2011.
Kristina gained her inspiration for The Espressologist from her own experience in people watching at coffee shops. She currently lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband Athens and her four kids Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin.
http://www.kristinaspringer.com/bio.html
Kristina Springer has a master's degree in writing from DePaul University. She began her writing career as a technical writer for a software company, and continued on to freelance writing in 2000. The Espressologist is Springer's debut novel for young adults. Her newest book Just Your Average Princess is due to come out in the Fall of 2011.
Kristina gained her inspiration for The Espressologist from her own experience in people watching at coffee shops. She currently lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband Athens and her four kids Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin.
http://www.kristinaspringer.com/bio.html
Plot Summary:
Seventeen year old Jane Turner is a high school senior in her last semester. All that remains to complete her high school degree are a few easy classes. She's also enrolled in a couple of college courses at Anthony Carter Community College, and works as a barista at Wired Joe's. Jane loves her job at the coffee shop, as she works with her best friend Em and is able to earn money for college. What Jane has noticed while working there is that people's personalities fit with the drinks they order. She even keeps a record of personalities and drink types, and begins to match compatible personalities and drinks.
One day, Jane's manager catches her writing in her journal and demands to know the content of her entries. She tells him her theory of Espressology, and he decides that her matchmaking abilities would be a great holiday promotion for his shop. Before she knows it, Jane becomes an overnight wonder, making many successful matches. After a while, Jane wonders if she can find a compatible match for her own large iced nonfat mocha, no whip.
Seventeen year old Jane Turner is a high school senior in her last semester. All that remains to complete her high school degree are a few easy classes. She's also enrolled in a couple of college courses at Anthony Carter Community College, and works as a barista at Wired Joe's. Jane loves her job at the coffee shop, as she works with her best friend Em and is able to earn money for college. What Jane has noticed while working there is that people's personalities fit with the drinks they order. She even keeps a record of personalities and drink types, and begins to match compatible personalities and drinks.
One day, Jane's manager catches her writing in her journal and demands to know the content of her entries. She tells him her theory of Espressology, and he decides that her matchmaking abilities would be a great holiday promotion for his shop. Before she knows it, Jane becomes an overnight wonder, making many successful matches. After a while, Jane wonders if she can find a compatible match for her own large iced nonfat mocha, no whip.
Critical Evaluation:
This light and humorous novel is a quick and enjoyable read. Though the plot is not complex in nature, the book's premise is extremely clever and entertaining. Coffee lovers will especially be intrigued by this original novel set in a coffee shop. The variety of coffee flavors and mixtures, alongside the descriptions of personalities, create amazing imagery for the reader. The reader will find that the characters are lovable and entertaining, albeit somewhat flat and underdeveloped. Still, the reader will love the romance and matchmaking theme that laces the story line. Reminiscent of a B grade chick flick, this predictable but sweet story will enchant all audiences.
This light and humorous novel is a quick and enjoyable read. Though the plot is not complex in nature, the book's premise is extremely clever and entertaining. Coffee lovers will especially be intrigued by this original novel set in a coffee shop. The variety of coffee flavors and mixtures, alongside the descriptions of personalities, create amazing imagery for the reader. The reader will find that the characters are lovable and entertaining, albeit somewhat flat and underdeveloped. Still, the reader will love the romance and matchmaking theme that laces the story line. Reminiscent of a B grade chick flick, this predictable but sweet story will enchant all audiences.
Genre: Realistic fiction
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Jane is working as a barista in a local coffee shop in order to earn money for college. When you get to college, will you have to earn money to pay your own way?
2. Will comes into the coffee shop a lot, and gets free coffee from Jane after pretending to like her. Has someone ever similarly taken advantage of you?
1. Jane is working as a barista in a local coffee shop in order to earn money for college. When you get to college, will you have to earn money to pay your own way?
2. Will comes into the coffee shop a lot, and gets free coffee from Jane after pretending to like her. Has someone ever similarly taken advantage of you?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+
Challenge Issue: none
Why I chose this item: As a coffee lover myself, and because realistic fiction is popular among young adults, I decided this book would be a great addition to my collection. Additionally, being a quick read, I felt it would do well for reluctant readers.
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