1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Block, Francesca Lia. 2004. WEETZIE BAT. New York, NY. Harper Teen: Harper Collins. ISBN: 0060736259
2. SUMMARY
This short novel follows the antics of Weetzie and her best friend Dirk, as well as their friends. After being granted three wishes by a genie, Weetzie discovers that there are unexpected ramifications. A genie, three wishes, and Hollywood make for an interesting read!
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Weetzie Bat is a 23 year old Los Angeles resident, Hollywood to be more precise. A child of the Glam scene, Weetzie disliked high school but loves the memories of old Hollywood and famous people like Marilyn Monroe. Weetzie fits into the Hollywood culture described with her bleached blonde flat top and harlequin sunglasses. She adds to her mystique by adding glittery poetry on her 1950’s style dresses and adds fringe to her mini skirts to convey sympathy with the Indians and their plight. She shops and dines out regularly as one would envision Hollywood starlets. Weetzie explains that she adores living in Hollywood and can go to Graumann’s (in the Chinese district) anytime she wants “to buy the cheapest cheese and bean and hot dog and pastrami at Oki Dogs.”
The story opens with a confession from Dirk, Weetzie’s friend that he is gay. Both set out looking for love amongst the “Ducks” (slang for boys). While visiting Dirk's grandmother, Weetzie is given a magic lamp. She rubs it and out pops a genie. As with typical (Genie in the magic lamp) stories, Weetzie is given three wishes. Her first wish, World Peace. “It’s out of my league,” scoffs the genie. Her second wish:, " An infinite number of wishes!” to which the genie replies, “People in fairy tales wish for that all the time. I can’t grant that type of wish, it isn’t in the records”. Finally Weetzie wishes for a love for herself and one for Dirk and a place they can all live together, “wish granted”. Dirk’s grandmother passes away, leaving her cottage to Dirk. Weetzie and Dirk waste no time moving in.
Conflict ensues once Weetzie expresses wanting to have a child with Secret Agent Lover Man (her boyfriend). Weetzie decides to become pregnant and enlists Dirk and Duck (Dirks boyfriend) in the conception. When Weetzie announces the pregnancy, Secret Lover Man leaves for a period of time but then comes back to the communal living style. Soon Cherokee is born to one mother and three fathers.
Soon it is revealed that Secret Agent Lover Man fathered a child while he was away and Witch Baby is left on their doorstep. In the meantime Duck has run off and Dirk has gone to find him. He flees after finding out he is dying of AIDS. Dirk finds him in San Francisco and brings him back to the cottage.
Weetzie’s version of Los Angeles reality does not exist. Everyday tasks of bills, jobs and house chores never occur. I feel such mundane tasks are left out by the author to keep Weetzie from being grounded and just like everyone else. The author strives to give Weetzie a free spirit and never brings the character down through child care and a mortgage. Instead a dreamlike vernacular is created to keep the short story light and cheerful. The issue of AIDS is brought up, giving the reader a bit of conflict and a feeling of concern. In closing, Weetzie states, “I don’t know about happily ever after, but I know about happily”.
Publishers Weekly commented that Weetzie Bat is, “A rare treat for those sophisticated enough to appreciate it”. This sums up to me, that the target audience for this book may be limited to a small band of Young Adults, those looking for the offbeat, glitter and glitz, dreamlike storyline and a book easy to get lost in.
4. AWARDS/REVIEWS
Parents' Choice Award, 2003
Best Books for Young Adults, 1990
Best of the Best Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens), 2001; American Library Association YALSA
Eureka! California in Children's Literature, 2003
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 1997; American Library Association-YALSA
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1990; American Library Association-YALSA
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States.
Senior High School Library Catalog, Fifteenth Edition, 1997; H.W. Wilson; United States.
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: An offbeat heroine shares a Hollywood cottage with three equally quirky companions; in PW’s words, "Block's first book is related in a breezy, knowing voice; her strange and sparkling tribute to growing up in L.A. is a rare treat for those sophisticated enough to appreciate it."
SLJ Review: “A brief, off-beat tale that has great charm, poignancy, and touches of fantasy.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Follow Weetzie and the rest of her adventures with the following books in the series: Witch Baby (1991), Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys (1992), Missing Angel Juan (1993), Baby Be-Bop (1995), and Necklace of Kisses (2005).
Author’s website: http://www.francescaliablock.com/
Other books about untraditional families:
David Inside Out by Lee Bantle. Henry Holt, 2009 (978-0-8050-8122-0)
Geography Club by Brent Hartinger. HarperTempest, 2002 (0-06-0012218)
Holly’s Secret by Nancy Garden. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000 (0374332738)
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