The Year of Secret Assignments

Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
Title: The Year of Secret Assignments
Number of Pages: 340
Publication Date: 2003
Genre: YA
Synopsis: "The Ashbury-Brookfield pen pal program is designed to bring together the two rival schools in a spirit of harmony and "the Joy of the Envelope." But when Cassie, Lydia, and Emily send their first letters to Matthew, Charlie, and Sebastian, things don't go quite as planned. What starts out as a simple letter exchange soon leads to secret missions, false alarms, lock picking, mistaken identities, and an all-out war between the schools--not to mention some really excellent kissing."

The first few pages of The Year of Secret Assignments were a bit awkward with the switching between Lydia's notebook, Cassie's journal, and the letters between the two schools, but after awhile I finally got used to the format.
 I did enjoy the friendly yet slightly crazy banter that went on in the letters from Emily to Charlie, and the ones between Lydia and Sebastian. Although I couldn't believe that Cassie kept writing to Matthew even though he was obviously deranged, until you find out the "possible" reasons for why she continued sending letters to him (I won't say anymore about that part).
  For favorite character I'm torn between Lydia and her crazy schemes, Charlie simply because he comes off as a nice guy and Sebastian because of his obsession with soccer (which I love). Em and Cassie were Ok, but don't make my favorite character list for the book. While Matthew Dunlap earns the award for the male character that I would like to cause severe pain to.
  Best part of the book the pranks and secret assignments that they partook in. I can't think of any part of the book that I would dub as t he worst part, so I guess there wasn't one.

I would definitely recommend The Year of Secret Assignments to anyone who likes books filled with the occasional prank and revenge.

The Year of secret Assignments earns 4 out of 5 pineapples.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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