Subway Girl

P.J. Converse
HarperTeen (2011)
ISBN 9780061575143
Reviewed by Theresa La (Age 16) for Reader Views (7/11)


At first glance, this title may bring to mind the image of a popular fast food chain, Subway, or of a popular mode of transportation used mainly on the East Coast of the United States.  The latter image is much closer to the story, though it does not hint at the full story. This novel is about a teenage love relationship. It shares some similarities with other teenage love stories such as the girl falling in love with the wrong boy, a problem that the girl and her “wrong” boyfriend go through together that cements their relationship.  However, there are also some characteristics of this story that are not often found in other teen love stories, such as the two teenagers being of different ethnicities, a problem that many other stories don’t face and the solution that the girl takes. “Subway Girl” is a very interesting story, with interesting twists but definitely an ending that is similar to many stories of this genre.

Amy, the female protagonist of this story is an American girl of Chinese descendant who moves to Hong Kong with her mother and brother as the result of family issues.  In Hong Kong, Amy’s mother finds her a Chinese boyfriend who is a pre-med student and who the mother believes is a traditional Chinese boy that is doing all the right things, especially concerning boy-girl relationships, when he is doing exactly the opposite of what she expects.  Simon is the male protagonist of this story. He is from an average family. Although he attends school, his parents do not place a high value on education, believing that college and English classes are for those who are rich or going to be a doctor. Consequently, Simon is failing English class. Amy is the girl of interest, for Simon and all the other boys who ride the subway to school. However, it is Simon that captures her heart even though he cannot speak English very well. The relationship between Simon and Amy develops slowly, leading to a drag during some of the late beginning, early middle parts of the novel. At some parts of the novel the reader could possibly question if the relationship between Simon and Amy will ever take off, but nevertheless, “Subway Girl” is very captivating for those who are interested and enjoy reading this genre.

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