Weetzie Bat
by Francesca Lia Block
Paperback, 128 pages
Published July 6, 2004 by HarperTeen (First published in 1989)
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance
Series: Weetzie Bat #1
Awards: Phoenix Award, 2009
MLA: Block, Francesca Lia. Weetzie Bat. New York: HarperTeen, 2004. Print. ISBN-13: 978-006073625. Paperback, $7.99.
Find it in your local library!
Weetzie Bat, her friends Dirk and Duck, and her paramour My Secret Agent Lover Man explore love, friendship, and heartache in this modern day fairy tale set in the lush landscape of 1980s Los Angeles.
Verdict
I’ll be the first to admit this book is not for everyone – you have to be open to a lot of unconventional ideas about the meaning of family, friendships, and what it means to truly be yourself. Author Francesca Lia Block’s writing is lush and poetic with lots of fun slang words that you’ll find yourself using long after you’ve finished the book. She creates a shimmering world where anything is possible, and love always wins in the end. Weetzie Bat is a classic that changed the YA landscape, opening the door for many of the modern fairy tales we read and love today.I would definitely recommend Weetzie Bat for older teenagers (14 and up) who are looking for a fun, original book that also tackles important themes.
Check out my Pinterest board dedicated to all things Weetzie Bat!
I started to make a WB playlist, but I found this one by the lovelies over at Rookie (who happen to love Weetzie too!) and theirs is too awesome not to share.
You can also find some discussion questions for Weetzie Bat here.
