Fifteen

by Beverly Cleary

Book Overview

With her usual warmth, perceptiveness, and humor, Newbery Medal winner Beverly Cleary creates the joys and worries of a young girl's first crush.

It seems too good to be true. The most popular boy in school has asked Jane out--and she's never even dated before. Stan is tall and good-looking, friendly and hard-working--everything Jane ever dreamed of. But is she ready for this?

Suppose her parents won't let her go? What...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380728044
• ISBN13: 9780380728046
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Classic from a Simpler Time

I was so happy when I saw that preteen girls are still reading this book! I didn't think it could still be as sweet, as heartwarming, as absolutely perfect in this modern day of bras at 8 and significant others at 12."Fifteen" was my hope when I was a gawky preteen girl, positive that I would never have a date in my life. So thinks Jane Purdy, our heroine, a nice, ordinary (in her eyes) babysitter who gets good grades and has a reasonable enough life--except at 15, she has yet to date, yet to be kissed, yet to unlock the mysteries of just what one is supposed to do on a date!Along comes just about the most popular boy in the entire class, Stan, who not only asks her out, but who TAKES her out. Jane is excited beyond belief, but so nervous, she is sure she has flubbed her chances of every seening Stan--or any boy--again. I could relate completely when I was a preteen, and even now, Jane's anguish rings so true!I won't give away the ending, but suffice to say that it is absolutely perfect. If there is a young girl in your life, buy her this book. She might make noises about "old-fashioned" and "in YOUR day..." but I'll bet she reads it--and loves it.

Fifteen Review

I first read this book when I was only 11, and at the time, I had never read a romance book before. I absolutely loved it! The book is about a 15-year-old girl who meets a guy named Stan who is cute, responsible, has a great smile, and can drive! She is thrilled when he asks her out on a date, and the rest of the book goes from there. I am 14 now, and have read this book 8 times! I think part of the reason I love it so much is because it is very realistic and I can completely relate to Jane. Her thoughts and worries are often like my own. Plus, romance novels always effect me, because dating and guys are a part of a teen girl's life, and I am a teen girl. This book does not have sex or heavy kissing in it, which was quite refreshing since all of the teen novels these days contain that. That was nice because it showed there was a much more important aspect to Jane and Stan's relationship than sex (plus, at their age, they are WAY too young to be doing that anyway). If you are a teen girl, you will be able to relate to this book, especially if you have had a first date. The experience is scary, thrilling, joyful- so many emotions. The book shows this, through the lovable character Jane. So you will be able to relate! Plus, I fell in love with Stan and you will too! Besides being good-looking, he is courteous, kind, respectful, polite, funny, and responsible- every girl's dream. Also, it was quite interesting for me to read this because the book was set in the 1950s, so I got a glance at what life was like back then. All of the girls wore dresses all the time and did different things for fun. You will be so curious to know the ending. I know I was! I recommend it to anyone over the age of 10. This is truly my all-time favorite book! If you haven't read Fifteen, honestly, you are missing out on a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful experience! Please do yourself a favor and read it! :)

For the "Hopeless Romantic" in each of us

"Fifteen" takes us back to 1959 - back when milk was delivered to your door and dogs ate horse meat and girls didn't call boys on the phone. Babysitter Jane Purdy resolves that "Today, I will meet a boy." And, by golly, she DOES! Stan Crandall, doggie meat delivery boy, strolls into her life as she's having a nightmarish time babysitting an eight-year-old monster (actually, I know kids like that one -- not much has changed since the fifties). How many 16-year-old boys today can date a girl for months without even asking for a kiss? How many 16-year-old boys today (or 30-year-old men, for that matter) are gentlemen enough to wait for the young lady to be seated before sitting down himself? Stan is perfect. And after some miscommunication and misunderstandings, they finally connect. And it's absolutely beautiful. A "must read" for all romantics, ESPECIALLY the hopeless ones.

One of the Best Young Adult Books Out There

I read this book when I was in the third grade, and it made a huge and lasting impression on me. Even though "Fifteen" was written in the 1950's, its themes of a girl longing for romance and feeling awkward about herself are timeless and relatable issues today. Some reviewers have commented that the book is too dated for teens because it doesn't deal with such current subjects as sexual pressures, etc. In my case, however, "Fifteen" defined perfect love. And since I read it when I was so young, I spent my teens waiting for someone who was as worthy of my affections, a guy as worthy as Stan was for Jane. I would recommend this book to girls under the age of 12 in hopes that it will give them an alternate view of what real romance is all about.

A Classic

This book is a story of the humorous adventures of a nice normal girl who wants to be someone with more sparkle. It takes a normal boy, some crazy mishaps, blunders & time to realize she's perfect just being herself. My mother read this book as I child. I've read this book more times that I can count. We have shared this book & the story it holds. I hope to someday share it with my daughter. I would recommend this book to any woman - mother or daughter - who has ever tried to impress a man by pretending she was someone other than herself. Mothers - if you read this book as a teen, do your daughter a favor and share this great book with her -- she will thank you for it. If you didn't read it then, start now!