Finally

Get a mobile phone. Stay home alone. Go to the mall with best friend and No Parents. Wear makeup. Get contact lenses. Attend a boy-girl party. Rory Swenson has been waiting her whole life to turn twelve. And she's got a list to prove it. Whenever Rory asks her parents for something, they always say, 'When you're twelve . . .' Well, in exactly 18 hours, 36 minutes and 52 seconds, it will finally happen. Rory's life will officially begin!

“Praise for Finally "Rory's chatty, friendly voice and relentless optimism in the face of her many mishaps are heartwarming." -- Publishers Weekly "Growing up doesn't have to happen all at once, and it isn't always all it's cracked up to be . . . Mass provides a pretty entertaining and solidly worthwhile read." -- Kirkus Praise for 11 Birthdays "From the double-entendre title to the solid character portrayals to the clarity and wit of the writing, this novel offers a fresh twist on the familiar themes of middle-grade family and school dynamics." -- Booklist , starred review "Mass's expertise with pacing keeps the story moving at a lively clip, and her understanding of this age group is as finely honed as ever." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review”

Finally is a treat-a delicious story about fitting in, falling down, and growing up. Wendy Mass has done it again!-Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me A Washington Post KidsPost Summer Book Club selection

Author Wendy Mass captures the frustration of pre-teens as they reach the magical time that allows them to begin experiencing tidbits from the grown-up world. Finally will have readers laughing, nodding in agreement, and sighing in sympathy as they follow Rory's tale of reaching 12.-Teensreadtoo.com

Children will relate to this warm, funny story of a heroine who can't wait to grow up.-School Library Journal

Rory's lively first-person narrative clearly expresses her emotions as she seesaws between longing and fear, confidence and insecurity. The jacket photo will attract tween readers.-Booklist

Rory's chatty, friendly voice and relentless optimism in the face of her many mishaps are heartwarming.-Publishers Weekly

A funny story that will appeal particularly to girls who are just learning what it means to begin growing up.-Rave Reviews Log, blog review

I was either smiling, chuckling, or outright laughing all through this book.-Everead, blog review

Finally is a fast-paced, hilarious novel...Mass captures an authentic 12-year-old here that never once feels forced, too old, or too young.-Stacked, blog review

Wendy Mass has written several non-fiction books and short stories for magazines, and has also co-founded a teenage literary magazine, Writes of Passage. She graduated from Tufts University and earned an M.A. in English from California State University, Long Beach, and a Doctorate of Letters from Drew University. She is also the author of Leap Day.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.