earthgirl

This unusual novel written partly in blog format (complete with comments posted by the earthgirl’s followers and detractors) takes the cutting-edge form of an online confessional. The story follows the eco-evolution of 16-year-old Sabine Solomon. When she’s blindsided by a driver whose thrown-out McDonald’s leftovers leave her covered in plum sauce, Sabine throws the garbage back, causing a clash that’s captured on her friends’ videophones. Quickly the footage is shown on YouTube, and Sabine finds herself at the center of a heated eco-debate. Inspired to greater global consciousness, she goes to work for an organic food co-op and meets charismatic, idealistic eco-warrior Vray Forest. Mesmerized, she vows to change her life and influence others, much to the dismay of her meat-eating family and shopaholic friends. But when Vray’s activism takes a dark turn, Sabine must face some difficult decisions. Jennifer Cowan’s first book presents an endearing, funny, modern heroine — at once smart, curious, self-mocking, and self-righteous — whose story riffs on universal teen dilemmas of peer pressure, first love, and trying to do the right thing.