When Irish Guys Are Smiling

by Suzanne Supplee

Book Overview

For seventeen-year-old Delk Sinclair, studying abroad in Ireland means one thing: escape. Delk is tired of hearing about her friends' debutante parties, watching her pregnant stepmother redecorate her mother's house, and having to smile sweetly even though she doesn't think she'll ever get over losing her mother. Ireland is Delk's chance to be happy. With the stunning green landscape as backdrop, Delk revels in all things Irish, from living in a real...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142410160
• ISBN13: 9780142410165
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Another solid entry in the S.A.S.S. series

The S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) series focuses on the lives of several female high school students that are studying abroad for a semester. In "When Irish Guys Are Smiling," Delk Sinclair escapes Nashville for Connemara after struggling with the recent death of her mother and her father's remarriage to a very young (now pregnant) bride who's determined to strip every trace of Delk's mother during the renovation of her house. Delk can't bear the thought of her presentation to Nashville society without her mother to help her, and is tired of her friends' pity and shallow lives. In Connemara, she studies Irish history and culture at Tremain Castle along with several other American students: up-and-coming model Latreece, who's dying to model in Paris despite her mother's wishes, the triplets Lucy, Brent and Trent from New Hampshire, and sports jock Iris. Throughout the story, all of the students are changed by their time in Ireland and their newfound connections with Irish culture, from sheepshearing to pub nights to a camping trip to the Aran Isles. Delk even finds romance in the form of Pather, who's attending college part-time and working on his father's farm. "When Irish Guys Are Smiling" is a quick read that touches on Irish culture, finding independence through study abroad, high school friendships, and issues like the death of a parent and coping with grief in a believable way; I couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of hours. It's a fine addition to other titles in the series like SASS Spain or Shine (S.A.S.S.) and Pardon My French (S.A.S.S.). Penguin's S.A.S.S. website even offers study abroad tips for readers who are considering taking the real study abroad plunge.

When Irish Guys Are Smiling

This book is a great book with some adventure,love,beer and school work. Delk decides to go to Ireland while her step-mum is redecorating the house. She also wants to get away from the Forest Hills Country Club presentation. She knew when she arrived in Ireland that her best friends, back in Nashville, would be buying dresses and organizing parties. I really enjoyed this book but it may be better if there wasn't the kissing.

Read this it's awesome!

This is a great book that any teen girl will relate to. It makes me want to visit Ireland too! Delk is a fun and funny protagonist, trying to please others without trying too hard. It's about good friends, being in a new space, all stuff that teens will understand...

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Delk Sinclair can't wait to get as far away from Nashville, Tennessee, as she can. Her mother passed away two years ago, and her father has remarried someone that is only ten years older than she is. And her new stepmother is going to have a baby. On top of that, it's almost time to start presenting to society. Without her mom by her side, the last thing Delk wants to do is go through the frenzy of debutante preparations. So Delk finds herself in Ireland for the S.A.S.S (Students Across the Seven Seas) program at Tremain Castle. Along with twenty-four fellow students, she will be immersed in Irish culture for the semester. Thus, she will avoid everything at home. Within the first twenty-four hours in Ireland, she befriends Iris, Lucy, Latreece, Trent, Brent, and, most importantly, Pather. Pather is the local farmer's son, and can relate to the loss of a mother. Delk and Pather form an instant connection and their friendship grows. While in Ireland, Delk learns a lot about herself that she never knew. Slowly, by letting her new friends in, Delk realizes that they like her for who she is. She begins to accept that her father is happy with his new wife. And she acknowledges that Paige isn't trying to replace her mother, but to help her heal. Ms. Supplee writes a novel that fits the S.A.S.S. series perfectly. A young student wants to leave their own home for some reason. And while on their own in a foreign country, they will come to learn much about themselves. WHEN IRISH GUYS ARE SMILING is a sweet addition to the series. Ms. Supplee paints a beautiful portrait of the lush landscape that is Ireland. The setting is realistic with the damp cold that the country can be known for. And the reader can get a taste of the drafty castle when the fire goes out. But even with the dreary weather, the reader falls in love with the Emerald Isle and becomes envious of what Delk gets to experience. Reivewed by: Jaglvr

Great book!

I'm 27, but I read books in every age group. This is a great story. I loved the setting in Ireland; that, in fact, is what first drew me to the book. Delk is a great character and her experiences feel real. I have all the books in the S.A.S.S. series, and I think the books are great for teen girls. They inspire adventure and the desire to travel. They teach about many wonderful countries and cultures; the characters make new friends and learn valuable lessons that can be applied to their lives. Those are great qualities about which young girls can read. They need excitement and encouragement to be smart, independent, and adventuresome and these books inspire that. I'm thinking of teaching high school English and if I do, I could easily recommend this series to my students.