Review: In Between by Jenny B Jones

Sixteen year old Katie Parker is not too excited when she discovers she's moving to a new foster home in In Between, Texas, home of the Chihuahuas. And to top that off, her new "dad" is the pastor of one of the local churches. Not exactly consistent with Katie's formerly religion-less life. At her new school, she finds herself at home with the other outsiders. At least, so she thinks. When one late night stunt turns to trouble, Katie finds herself sentenced to time with her new nonGrandmother-- Mad Maxine. Could things get any worse? And does the God thing really work?

Jenny B Jones tells Katie's story with just the right mix of tenderness, humor, and sarcasm. It was an entertaining read, one I didn't want to put down from the minute I read the first page. Katie is lovable and endearing-- and even Mad Maxine really gets to your heart. She's a trip.

There are three books in the Katie Parker Production series. A new series by Jenny B Jones will be out next spring... can't wait to learn more!

Review: Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

(I'm on vacation this week, so here is an extra book review...)

After high school football player Keir Sarafian injures another player in a tackle that gives his team possession of the ball, he earns the nickname "Killer." In his mind, he has everything he could ever dream of-- fame, popularity, an acceptance letter to college, and a night with Gigi Boudakian, the girl of his dreams.

The only problem for Keir is-- things aren't always what they seem. He believes in his own good intentions... but his actions may prove otherwise. He tells the story for you to judge.

Ever since I read Raymond's Run in elementary school, I've had a fascination for unreliable narrators. The way the story unfolds in one direction, while the subtext leads you just the opposite. Inexcusable is a great example of just such a tale. Keir's firm belief that he is a good guy, his desire to continue believing it, even as he slides backward down an ugly path, compelled me to turn every page. I read this book in one sitting.

Chris Lynch has written several award-winning novels, but this is the first I've read of his work. I enjoyed it, and recommend it. There is some mature content. But if I had a teenage boy, I'd want him to read this.

Review: So Yesterday by Scott Westerfield

When Hunter meets a girl with a whole different way of doing her shoelaces, he has no idea the strange adventure that's about to begin. Through her, he winds up invited to a secret meeting at which he stumbles onto a pair of amazing shoes, and the possibility that his cool-hunting boss has been kidnapped. Hunter and his new friend pursue the shoemakers, trying to discover what's become of his boss, Mandy. Full of quirky characters and with Hunter's off-the-wall sense of humor and irony, So Yesterday was a worthy read. Go Hunter, the Mighty Penguin!

The more I read by Scott Westerfield, the more respect I have for him. I guess I'm a little old-fashioned, but I like YA that is cleaner, at least that doesn't brazenly plaster sexual situations across its pages. Scott Westerfield handles these situations elegantly, acknowledging them without overstating them. I like that and really enjoy knowing I can recommend these stories to younger teens with confidence, knowing that it isn't exposing them to thoughts and ideas that are, for now, outside their experience.

(Warning... Rant here...) Yeah, I know that many teens have already had their own experiences. But some have not. I read recently that 46% of couples choose to wait to have sex until they are married. Those stats are much higher than the entertainment industry seems to say they are. People are going to make their own choices with regard to sex and where and when, but my point is: for those who choose to abstain, I am delighted that there is still young adult fiction that acknowledges their innocence and respects that choice. (Okay, stepping off the soap box now...)

Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene begins a new year of school at a completely different place than she left off last year. She is in exile. Her family is still reeling from the discovery of her middle sister's eating disorder. Annabel is determined not to rock the boat, even if it means hiding her own devastating experiences. Through an unlikely friendship with another notorious loner, she begins to learn to confront her fears and her past.


I have to say, I loved these characters. I found them to be spicy and a little off-beat. Loved the hero! Sarah Dessen creates the unlikely hero brilliantly. Owen Armstrong (I even love his name!) had me at hello.

The timeline was really hard for me to follow at times, though. I had no idea how old Annabel was at certain times in the story, and to when she was flashing back. That made things a little confusing. It also seemed a bit narrative in places, as if Annabel stepped out of the scene and filled me in on what was going on.

I've also read Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen and enjoyed her characters there as well. Quirky heroes, I'm telling you! Great stuff! I will be checking out The Truth About Forever here shortly, and look forward to her newest release, Lock and Key, which comes out in April 2008.

Review: Derailed by Jon Ripslinger

I have to say that I was really captured by this description of the book from the cover:

"Derailed is the story of what happens when you open your eyes and start to care enough to risk everything."

High school senior, Wendell "Stony" Stoneking, suddenly finds his whole world rocked by the prospect that there might be more to life than following in the well-tred path of his father and grandfather. He could go to college. He could have a football scholarship. Or... he could lose his place on the team because of his failing English grade. A challenge from his coach and a new and mysterious peer tutor put things in a new perspective for Stony. When his tutor turns out to be much more than meets the eye-- a single mom with a stalker ex-boyfriend-- Stony must decide if he cares enough to help her and risk a different kind of life.

Another author described this story as "edgy"... which I also liked. Though I guess I didn't really understand what kind of edgy that meant. Call me old-fashioned... but I really wish there was not so much sex and language in YA these days! (But that's a soap box for another day...)

Speaking myself as an unproven author, I felt like some of the dialog sounded canned. There were several conversations that happened purely to inform the reader what was going on, but where both characters involved already knew the information conveyed. I wanted to be more moved by Robyn's (the tutor) tale of her dark past. Some parts seemed a little predictable, but I liked the spin that the more unusual elements added to the story. I liked the voice of the narrator, Stony. The characters seemed genuine.

Honestly, I'd be interested in following this author. I think he's talented and tells a good story. Every writer can improve on his or her craft. Always.

Review: Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Crank is the story of Kristina Snow and the summer that changes her life, when she goes to visit her father and meets the "monster", Crystal Meth. Based on the experiences of her own daughter, Ellen Hopkins captures the turmoil and grip of addiction in a raw, authentic manner.

The entire story is told in verse. Honestly, as a reader, I wasn't sold on the idea... until I began to read. The poems capture the scenes of the story in vivid detail. They flow from scene to scene very smoothly, capturing the raw emotion of the heroine-- her desperation, heartache-- and the downward spiral of her addiction to Meth. A powerful read.

Content warning-- because of the nature of the story, there is of course drug content as well as some sexual references and content as well.