The Mall by Megan McCafferty
Published by Wednesday Books
Released on 28 July 2020 (in the US)
ISBN 9781250209955
Read: 14 – 17 July 2020
This is a layered ride, a roller coaster of fun and mystery, but also a story of a girl coming to terms with her own prejudices and selfishness. The literal quest for treasure involving cabbage patch dolls and a snarky ex best friend who dumped our MC for cooler buds back in elementary school, is a reflection of Cassie’s inner quest to reconcile all her different personas – girlfriend of domineering Troy, high achieving honor roll student, judger of anyone not planning to attend college, daughter of Frank and Kathy, not so much life partners now, as dentists and business partners, and girl with no car licence.
Cassie has big plans but getting mononucleosis was not one of them. After four months recovery, she returns to her life, assuming all with be the same: she’ll finally ‘do it’ with Troy, they’ll work together over summer at the America’s Best Cookies franchise at the local Mall, and sail away to New York together for their happy ever after.
Well, actually, no. It’s not hard to predict that everything falls out of her reach. The first few chapters are devastating to read as Cassie sees her whole life disintegrate. McCafferty does an excellent job of making this privileged brainy tunnel-visioned character a person of sympathy. But as we get to know her, we see how many ways she can be a better person. It’s a gambit to make Cassie unlikeable, but by the time we understand her flaws, we’ve also seen her generosity, her stubborn will and her slow realisation of how selfish and condescending she can be. Her attempts to make amends are welcome and that it’s full of laughter and fun, only serves to make it more of a delight to read.
I haven’t mentioned a huge part of the story – it’s set in the ‘90s. So we have the Mall as the main place for bored teenagers, the video arcades, the cinema, the food court. McCafferty recreates the time and place with nostalgic affection, and her characters fit seamlessly into the space. The use of the treasure hunt to send Cassie and Drea all over the Mall to locate clues allows us to meet a bunch of quirky retailers and shops, as well as a potential new romance for Cassie. The musical soundtrack is perfect, of course, as is the pop cultural references (Beverley Hills 90210 anyone?) and the descriptions of fashion and hairstyles.
Despite the inner turmoil and identity crisis Cassie faces, McCafferty keeps it mostly light and witty. It’s so much fun to read. I hope 2020 kids pick it up and love it as much as I do.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy. It’s out in the US on July 28, and I hope Australia will see sometime in the future. Highly recommended who love their teen angst strong and snarky, who love to see their protagonists have to face a cold splash of reality, but who can also admit their failings and work to be better. The boys here a mix (as is true of real life) – some big-hearted and respectful, others not so much! The friendship battles with Drea are good times. Cassie’s parental woes are worked through the plot in a clever way, with the mystery of the treasure hunt solved satisfactorily (sort of).
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