Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Risk the Wings of Sisterhood is a young adult coming of age novella written by J.R. Evangelisti. Julie Pastel is eighteen years old, her faithful companion is a teddy bear named Bubbles, and she's quite proud of the fact that she's never been kissed. At least that's what she says, even while she gazes longingly at the covers of romance novels and imagines herself as one of the heroines. What she wants more than anything, however, is to have a real friendship. Julie and her parents drive over to State College where she has been awarded a full academic scholarship. She's confident that she'll be able to maintain her grade A status as an honor student in college, and her parents think that her drab attire will keep her out of trouble. Julie notices that there are two beds in her dorm room and, seeing no one there, she decides to take the one near the window. When she gets back, however, her belongings are on the floor as is Bubbles, who had been given pride of place on her pillow. Her roommate, Burkie Vivid, is brash and loud, and much taller than she is, and she's had tons of men. Julie's not at all sure she can survive with Burkie as her roommate.

J.R. Evangelisti's young adult coming of age novel, Risk the Wings of Sisterhood, is a humorous and touching look at growing up. The two young women who seem such polar opposites find themselves in a series of crazed and comedic situations starting with their appearance for tryouts with the college's football team. Evangelisti keeps the action going smoothly and fluidly in this disarming comedy that's an absolute hoot to read. Dr. Richard is fabulous as the dastardly history professor who is determined to rid the college of athletes, starting with the college's newest female football players. I also loved the sense of romance and youthful exuberance of their sudden decision to follow Aunt Cynthia's road trip along Route 66 and chuckled at their misadventures along the way. Risk the Wings of Sisterhood is a sleeper of a gem that's highly recommended.