Edna in the Desert

I really enjoyed this book. I like the way the author gave Edna self respect, by having her use some restraint when it came to Johnny. The book left me with a deeply good feeling, and I would want to read the sequel.I wanted to be angry with the author because she would suddenly switch point of view within one paragraph, which felt awkward, but it did help me to understand what Johnny was feeling when Edna acted the way that she did.The book shows how 13 year old Edna grows in patience and understanding of other people, as she grows in her ability to quietly contemplate the world and not impulsively react to everything. I found Edna to be a most likable character. I was left wanting more.

Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Edna and were very sorry to have it end. We understand a sequel is in the works and would like to have our names at the top of the list when it’s released.We are still laughing about Edna’s stroll into the desert to die a dramatic death so all would deeply and guiltily mourn her - except she didn’t have pen and paper to write her last communication. So funny! And hanging her underwear to dry helter-skelter in the pantry - priceless.What I really admired, though, was the way the author conveyed Edna’s development over the summer. I could just feel her emotional growth and awareness of a world that didn’t center on her. Edna will certainly look back and very much miss her time with her grandparents.This author is extremely talented for her years. To be able to portray the characters so vividly, to be able to know how the story should progress, to be able to choose the perfect words … what a gift!

I enjoyed this book. I can't remember if it was a first person narration, but I do remember enjoying the main character's path to self discovery and the roll of the grandparents in her life.

Loved this sweet trip through a teenage girl's summer. Edna's changed relationship with her grandfather made me cry at the end.

Great read. Very enjoyable. I am not the most likely reader of a book about a 13 year old girl but a friend insisted I try this because I can't stand this generation of kids glued to their phones (this book is about a kid who has no phone or computer or TV for a summer). Gives me hope! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Solid story, simple, no magic. Like an old classic, ie Little Women of Anne of Green Gables, but modern times. Only thought is it could have been longer, and now I have to go to the desert!

I started Ms. Lederman's novel at 9:30 a.m. & finished it (with interruptions) at 5:30 p.m. An excellent book that allows the reader to follow a young girl through a transforming summer. The author displays literary maturity in her subtle, nuanced & patient treatment of Edna's movement from self-centered to other-centered.I recommend this book to all - not just the YA group & I hope to read other books from this author.

I live in the area described so it was fun to recognize the various locales, but I knew everything that was going to happen by the end of the first three pages. The story line was ridiculously predictable. It was as bad as one of those Lifetime (& other so-called women's networks) made for TV movies. And the writing was colorless, which given the poetic beauty of the desert where the story is set - was kind-of pitiful. The bad plot might have been bearable if the language was transcendent, but it was just perfunctory.

This was a wonderful story for any age group. You immediately get fully engrossed in the characters and the story that they have to tell. I look forward to Maddy Ledderman's next book!