Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me - Julie Johnston

Johnston, J. (1994). Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me. Toronto: Stoddart.

Summary 

Fifteen-year-old Sara Moone has been in the foster care system for most of her life. When she turns sixteen, she will be able to leave foster care, and she plans to head north, the most remote location she can think of. Her final placement is on a farm in Ontario, with the Huddleston and two other foster sons. As she counts down the days until her sixteenth birthday, she writes about her daily life on her only friend, her computer.

Evaluative comments
Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me is well written, with very developed characters. It is given a voice through Sara's narration, and the honesty and cynicism that show through her entries into her computer help achieve an impressive balance of humour and seriousness. Many readers will be able to relate to Sara's sense of isolation.

Suggested audience 
Grades 7-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms -  character-driven, leisurely paced, amusing, bittersweet, moving, reflective,                       sarcastic, conversational, 
Read-alikes - Pinballs, Betsy Byars; Alice, I Think, Susan Juby

Booktalking hook 
Read the passage where Sara is explaining why she has no interest in finding her birth mother and her own future plans (p. 27)

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - 1994 Governor General's Award; 1995 CLA Young Adult Book Award

Category 
Canadian, Realistic, Award-Winning