Block, F. L. (1999). Weetzie bat (10th anniversary ed.). New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-440818-3; paperback; $7.95.
Weetzie Bat and her best friend Dirk are just normal teenagers living under the bright lights of L.A., until the day that Grandma Fifi gifts Weetzie a golden lamp, out of which appears – of all things – a genie. This genie is apparently quite a literalist, because Weetzie’s three wishes (“a Duck for Dirk, My Secret Agent Lover Man for me, and a beautiful little house for us to live in happily ever after”) are granted to a T; Dirk and Weetzie both find partners (named Duck and My Secret Agent Lover Man, respectively) and move into Grandma Fifi’s old cottage. But happily ever after is never quite that easy – Block’s narrative takes us on a reeling journey as the characters navigate their relationships, becoming parents, confronting illness, and above all else, preserving the community that ties them all together.
Block’s debut novel retains the relevance and pizzazz that made it a classic when it was originally published in 1989. Its sparkling language and bizarre twists and turns feel like a fresh dream. This book might be of particular interest to LGBTQ+ teens, who will appreciate the candor with which it addresses themes like homosexuality, AIDS, and blended families. Weetzie Bat’s focus on mature issues make it a valuable read for older teens, who will likely find it as real and relatable now as it ever was.
Awards won: 2009 Phoenix Award, ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults, and ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults.
Watch a short clip of Francesca Lia Block
Find out how Block came up with Weetzie Bat’s character!
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