Thirteen (plus one)

      Thirteen (plus one) is another good book by Lauren Myracle I read this summer. It's the latest book in the Winnie series after Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen. When the author came to Paideia to talk about writing, she mentioned that she wasn't going to be able to name her next book Fourteen because then they would of put it in a different place on the shelves at store and library than the other books in the series.
     In this book, Winnie and her two best friends, Cinnamon and Dinah, are all at a summer camp at the beach that teaches them about sea turtles and how to try to save them. During the book, Cinnamon and Dinah both fall for different boys at the camp, even though Cinnamon has sworn off boys after her last relationship. Winnie and her boyfriend back home, Lars, get in fights over the phone and Winnie feels like things between them haven't been right after her birthday came with disappointment towards Lars. On top of that, why is this boy at camp flirting with her? Winnie feels overwhelmed with boys this summer in Thirteen (plus one).
     Perhaps a little to much, if you ask me. I think this book is a little to 'boy themed'. It doesn't really show any 'girl power' and makes it seem like all girls think about is boys. I'm not saying Lauren Myracle isn't a good writer, I think she's an amazing one, but I think that she could of pushed the book towards the importance of friendship, not having a boyfriend.
     Still, I thought this book was really good. The ending was soooo sweet, and the turtle camp seemed like the kind of camp that a lot of people would want to go to. One thing I love about Myracle's writing is that all her books are based in Atlanta, since thats where she grew up. It's a nice thing to relate to and makes her books have a connection to you (if your from Atlanta).
     I would give this book a 7.
     It was good, and I would read it if you like Myracle, but it could of been better.