Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny’s backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.
Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he’s found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.
The Last Little Blue envelope is the sequel to Maureen Johnson’s novel “13 Little Blue Envelopes.”
A contemporary story, we rejoin Ginny in completing the last task her aunt had for her– the one she never thought she’d be able to complete. She returns to England and her “sort-of-something” Keith, but things have changed since she saw Keith last: he now has a girlfriend. As Ginny revisits places she stopped on her last journey, she has to sort out her feelings about Keith, the mysterious Oliver and Ellis, Keith’s girlfriend. And it’s time to say good-bye to Aunt Peg for good.
Johnson employs her trademark wit: the same hilarious dialogue that readers enjoyed in 13 Little Blue envelopes makes a reappearance in this novel. While residing in Ginny’s head, readers will notice the authenticity of her voice: Johnson taps into the teenage girl’s psyche with ease. She makes her characters sympathetic, even if they don’t start out entirely likeable.
I’ll admit to the teensiest bit of a pout over Keith moving on, but at the same time, I had to appreciate that it was realistic– sure, True Love can (and I’m sure does) happen when young, but most relationships that young are not The One.
Maureen Johnson remains one of my favorites and The Last Little Blue Envelope did not disappoint.
Rating: 4/5
