BOOK COVER: If I Grow Up

  

If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser is a young adult novel about gang violence. The cover on the left is the US paperback, the middle is the UK paperback and the right is the US trade paperback. 

When I saw the UK cover (middle), I must admit it made me sigh a little. It's just so full-on and obvious. In combination with the title, I think it's a bit too much. The US cover on the left is really interesting. I love the skyscraper shadows and the baby blocks, but it doesn't entirely make sense. Baby blocks are too young (the main character is a teenager, not a baby!) and the cover looks like an adult novel. I think the one on the right is okay - it features a teenager, at least - but it wouldn't tempt me to pick it up. 

What do you think? 

Comments

[Maija Haavisto]

I agree with you about the ones on the left and the middle, though I don't think the blocks make the viewer think the main character is a baby. I think they are a good (unusual but sensible) symbol for growing up. I don't like the one on the right at all - it just doesn't work and I don't like the colors.

[Keris]

Thanks, Maija. It's not so much that I think people would think the main character is a baby, more that I think something more teen-related would work better. If it was an adult novel, I think it would be brilliant.

[Stella]

I think my boys would be interested in the middle cover (certainly) and the cover on the right. (Out of interest, I asked Patrick and he went for the middle cover instantly, followed by the BMX cover.) The book's being marketed to boys then.

[Keris]

I've got a copy if they want to read it, Stella. I can save it for you, if you want.

[Jenni]

Ooh, really interesting set of covers. I'm not overly fond of any of them but I'm drawn a little towards the BMX one.

[Stella]

Oh, yes please!

[diane]

I really like the one on the left, but I take your point it might be more apt (more of a contrast for sardonic effect) for an adult novel. x