Reference: Ewing, Lynne. Party
Girl. Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1998. 259 pg.
Party Girl is a
novel written by Lynne Ewing that depicts a 14 year-old girl’s reaction to the
gang life. Kata and Ana are inseparable
friends deeply entrenched in the gang life of Los Angeles. One day, after walking home from a go-go
dancing competition, Ana is killed in a drive-by shooting by a rival gang. Kata, devastated after losing her one friend
and the unborn child she was carrying, plots to enact her revenge on her
killer. However, some people around her
show her there is a choice in her life, and she does not have to continue the
life of a gangbanger. In the end, Kata
learns about herself and leaves the gang life behind.
This novel is a shorter read and it is not a difficult
reading level. However, it does deal
with some themes and issues that may not be appropriate for younger
readers. It would be hard to teach this
novel to a grade level lower than seventh grade. The novel deals with issues of gangs, alcohol
abuse, sex, and teenage pregnancy. Party Girl was very engaging, but the
issues of the novel may be inappropriate for younger ages. However, the novel may be applicable to some
of the students’ lives.
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