Written as
a diary, this comic novel chronicles a year in Georgia Nicholson’s life, from just before the beginning of a school year until the next summer vacation. Her father leaves the family in England and goes to New Zealand to find work, and her mother begins spending what Georgia thinks is too much time with Jem, the contractor working on the house. Her young sister Libby is embarrassing and uses the word “poo” a lot while snuggling for comfort in Georgia’s bed. Uncle Eddie makes silly remarks to and about her, and her cousin James gets a little too close when he comes to sleep over. Her cat, Angus, terrorizes the next door neighbors while Georgia spies on them.When school finally begins, Georgia immerses herself in life with her friends and teachers. All of the teachers are female, except for Mr. Kamyer, the German physics teacher. She and her friends talk of guys and becoming lesbians, and one of Georgia’s recurring fears seems to be about the type of lesbian she’ll end up becoming. All of this is, of course, a backdrop to the hijinks of Georgia and her friends, as they spend a lot of quality time thinking of their physical appearance and pursuing males. For Georgia, her goal is Robbie, the Sex God, but someone has already beaten her to the mark. Or has she?
Analysis:
This is an entertaining novel. Teenagers and anyone with a sense of humor will enjoy Georgia’s voice, from her private worries about her eyebrows to her more public escapades with her friends. The diaristic style of the novel allows readers the chance to get inside of Georgia’s head and to read her unexpurgated thoughts about her world. She mixes longer and shorter entries with no recognizable pattern, suggesting that on some days Georgia is just a bit more verbose. Often, though, when there are many rapid-fire entries minutes or even hours apart, Georgia tends to comment on events that just occurred or to prepare herself for what is to come.
Cataloging the humor in this novel is difficult: it is splashed on every page, in Georgia’s voice and in all of the bizarre situations in which she writes about herself, her family and her friends. Inside all of the humor, however, there lies a bit of insecurity that, of course gets masked with even more humor. An example of this is when her father (“Vati,” as she has taken to calling him, based on her boredom in German class) leaves for New Zealand just after Christmas. This is only serious in that it creates a distance in the family, but Georgia is concerned. After all, she isn’t quite sure where New Zealand is—she thinks that where the TV show “Neighbors” was set. (That was Australia, as her father reminds her.)
After her father leaves, her mother begins spending time with Jem. In true Georgia fashion, she says she “will have to have a word with Mum in order to save the family.” Her entry an hour later, at 12:05 pm, is simple and hilarious: “Can’t be bothered” (162). Her family may be splintering—it isn’t—but Georgia is set on pursuing what is important to Georgia: her looks, her friends, and, of course, boys. Anything "larger" seems too complicated. Through Georgia, Rennison seems to be hinting that although teenage girls might know what they want, they may not be too sure how to get there.
To end up with Robbie (the SG), she will first have to get around Lindsay, the girl at school who wears his ring. Lindsay is as close to an antagonist as this novel gets, but the audience only sees her mooning around and over Robbie. Georgia and Jas spy on her in her room. (It is here the audience learns about the “thong” in the title.) In the end, Lindsay drops out of the running for Robbie, and Georgia gets in. They have a bit of “number six kissing” (see table on page 198), and she is “nearly” his girlfriend (234). That seems to be enough for Georgia, "a wonderful character whose misadventures are not only hysterically funny but universally recognizable" (Cart 2000).
For readers in the U.S., the amount of British slang could be troublesome, but Rennison has included a glossary to give readers quick definitions. As with the rest of the novel, the language here is fresh and hip, not in least bit “naff.” (Look it up if you're not sure what it means.)
Cart, Michael. 2000. "Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging." Booklist 96: 2033. Accessed October 4, 2011, from the BookReview Digest Plus database.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Grade 8 & up)
Review Excerpts:
Teens will discover that nothing is sacred here (e.g., "Talking of breasts, I'm worried that I may end up like the rest of the women in my family, with just the one bust, like a sort of shelf affair"). Rennison exquisitely captures the fine art of the adolescent ability to turn chaos into stand-up comedy. (Publishers Weekly, March 20, 2000)
It will take a sophisticated reader to enjoy the wit and wisdom of this charming British import, but those who relish humor will be satisfied. Fresh, lively, and engaging. (School Library Journal, July 1, 2000)
Georgia Nicholson, the intrepid heroine of this hysterically funny coming-of-age novel, faces the usual traumas of teendom: pimple outbreaks, chest development (or lack thereof), and embarrassing parents. How she deals with each of these and myriad other problems, though, is what sets this novel apart from the typical and predictable. (Voice of Youth Advocates, June 1, 2000)
This "fabbity, fab, fab" novel will leave readers cheering, "Long live the teen!" and anxiously awaiting the promised sequel. (Booklist, July 27, 2000)
Awards & Recognition:
Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book, 2001
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