The Secret Year of Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty

The Secret Year of Assignments/Finding Cassie Crazy
Publication date: Out Now

Told entirely through letters, diary entries, emails, and other writing, Moriarty's novel introduces us to Emily, Lydia, and Cassie -- all students at Ashbury High -- who begin writing to their Brookfield High counterparts through the schools' organized pen pal project. Readers learn quickly that each girl has her own writing style and that at two of the Brookfield boys (Seb and Charlie) seem to be smitten with Lydia and Emily. The only trouble is Cassie's pen pal, Matthew, a shady character who first sends her short, threatening letters and then becomes strangely sweet toward her. Nobody can figure out why Cassie keeps writing to him, but after she has a crushing meet-up with Matthew, Cassie discovers -- with the help of her friends and the Brookfield guys -- that he hasn't been honest about his identity. All could be ended there, but when Charlie helps take revenge and Brookfield High gets mysteriously vandalized, the group comes together to deliver justice and save the endangered pen pal project.

My Review:-

Favourite Quote: "I like the way you took that whole journey to Balmoral without looking at me once.  But all the time I felt like you were crinkling the corners of your eyes for me."

I ADORE this book.  The Secret Year of Assignments is smart, warm and irresistible funny!  This is the kind of book that makes you cheeks ache from smiling too much.

The Secret Year of Assignments is written in letters, diary entries, emails, notices, transcripts, summons and more.   It is not just one person story but rather three character  Emily, Lydia and Cassie.  Their English teacher starts a pen pal assignment with boys from the rival high school Brookfield.  And there the fun and rather crazy story begins. 

Jaclyn Moriarty writing is brilliant.   It's clever story is filled with humour and heart.  The plot is entertaining and fun but underneath it deals with some deeper issues.  And despite the fact this book is writing in mixed formats and various points of views, it was never confusing but rather effortless to read.

Now the character they are pretty amazing. Well crafted and fully alive.  Em, Lyd, Cassie, Seb and Charlie all of them likeable, quirky and interesting.  I think there friendship is what really makes them special.  They would do anything for each and you can't help but wish you were part of their gang.

Their is is some romance and it is sweet and real and filled with plenty of awww moments.  And the guys were definitely crush worthy characters especially Seb. 

"Lyd,
You're not making sense.
I love your letters and I want you to keep writing them, if you want to.  But you can't kiss a girl made out of ink and paper.  Let's hang out together. Let's talk on the phone.
You have to realise that boys don't write.  Girls write. Boys don't.
Seb"

Overall, The Secret Year of Assignments is wonderful story of friendships and a book that leaves you feeling good.  I am off now to squeeze into my favourites shelf.

Overall rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 3/5

Recommend for fans of:  Good Oil, The Dairy Queen, Six Impossible Things,

For More Rave Reviews:  Goodreads Chachic's Book Nook and Not Enough Bookshelves

For More Info: Jaclyn Moriarty website.

This Aussie book is available internationally from TBD and Amazon.  In Australia and UK it is know as Finding Cassie Crazy and elsewhere as The Secret Year of Assignments.  It has a few different covers - here are a couple: