Read This Book…

Izzy is a sixteen-year-old high school student who has a running monologue of what she really thinks going on in her head at all times. She doesn’t dare actually voice her opinions, though. Between a busy and high-powered family always overlooking her and a boyfriend who always talks over her, Izzy knows its better to keep her true feelings to herself. Until one day she accidentally crashes a stand up comedy open mic, and finds herself on the stage. In her panic, she bursts forth with all her real opinions, and to her shock, she gets a few laughs. Suddenly, Izzy is hooked on comedy, and she even has some new friends who are helping her tighten her routines and encourage her to go out for a showcase. The only problem? They all think Izzy is in college.

I really loved this book because, and this might sound super obvious here, it’s really funny! Comedy is hard to pull off, and humor is very subjective, but I was laughing aloud multiple times throughout this book, especially as Izzy had to balance the awkwardness of accidentally lying about her age and trying to pass herself off as a college junior rather than a high school junior. These comedic moments are countered with some much more serious stuff, such as Izzy’s unhealthy relationship with her controlling boyfriend, and her sense of not quite belonging in her family. Henry understands that humor isn’t used to write off the bigger, scarier, more complex realities, but it can be used to help explore them and more sense of them. Izzy uses humor to find her voice and her courage, and to connect with the people she’s struggled to talk to, for better or worse. This is such a funny, charming, and really heartfelt coming-of-age story with a quiet but realistic plot!