Bibliographic Information:
- Title: Field Notes on Love
- Author: Jennifer Smith
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Copyright Date: 2019
Genre: Novel, Teen, Romance
Awards or Honors: None
Reading Level: Teenager
Plot Summary: This book follows the love lives of Hugo and Mae as they travel together. Hugo’s girlfriend Margaret Campbell breaks up with him in England the summer before she goes to Stanford. Hugo already had tickets for a cross country road trip across America. The tickets are in Margaret’s name, so Hugo hatches a scheme to find another girl named Margaret Campbell, which leads him to Mae. He and Mae go on a cross-country trip on a train to all the places Hugo planned to go with Margaret. Along the way, Hugo and Mae talk about their lives and what they have planned after the summer. While they may start as strangers, they grow closer after learning more about each other. They travel throughout the United States and end up in the Bay Area. They say goodbye to each other and go back to their lives in England and New York City, but they realize the trip has changed them and their perspective on life. Both face decisions on their future that they have been putting off for a while.
Author Background: Jennifer Smith has written many books during her career. Some books include Field Notes of Love, Windfall, The Geography of You and Me, This is What Happy Looks Like, You are Here, The Comeback Season, and Happy Again. She has also worked in public relations. She has a degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She currently lives in Los Angeles. Many of her character’s situations come from her experiences in life. Her advice for those who want to write a book is to read and write a lot (Smith, 2020).
Critical Evaluation: The writing is clear and decisive and makes the reader feel part of the story. The writing gives the reader a clear insight into the main character’s thoughts, helping to empathize and relate to them. The chapters are told from the perspective of Hugo and Mae, usually alternating every chapter. The different perspectives provide us with both characters’ thoughts during their journey and give us an understanding of their growth. The writer conveys themes teens will understand, including finding voice and identity, dealing with difficult parents, relationship issues, and making mistakes. Teens will like the book and identify with some of the characters.
Creative Use Library Program: I would use this book to create a travel itinerary library program. The book characters go to different places in America throughout the book. Many teens haven’t had the opportunity to travel across America, particularly without parents. While they may not be able to yet, we can start planning and figure out what cities they might be interested in visiting. Teens can discuss what cities they want to visit and decide if any of the cities in the book are interesting to them. We can work with them to figure out how they can visit and what precisely they want to see or experience.
Book Talk: Hugo and Mae have not had the best summer. Hugo’s girlfriend broke up with him before going to Stanford, putting his plans for a trip to America in question. Mae didn’t get into film school at USC, causing her to question her future as a filmmaker. Hugo’s tickets to America are in the name of his girlfriend Margaret Campbell, leading him on a search for someone with the same name. When he finds Mae, he convinces her to go on his trip with him, changing their lives forever.
Potential Challenge Issue: Potential challenge issues might exist over Mae’s two dads in a relationship. Same-sex marriages occur worldwide and are an accurate portrayal of many families across America and a normal part of life. I would argue many other books portray same-sex marriages and are accepted in most areas around the country.
Reason for Inclusion: I included this book because readers highly recommended it from my library’s online page. I thought the plot seemed interesting, and teens might be interested in the plot’s romantic aspect. I read the first few pages and thought the writing and pace were fast enough teens would want to read the book. I liked the plot and thought it would be something I would want to read as a teen.
About. (2020). Jennifer E. Smith. Retrieved on December 1, 2020, from https://www.jenniferesmith.com/about
Smith, J. (2019). Field Notes on Love. [eBook edition]. Delacorte Press. https://dalycity.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2748310076?active_tab=bib_info
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