Jenny B. Jones

I was going to say that this seemed like it was geared toward the younger set of YA readers, but since I am nowhere near that age group (*cough* painful admission *cough*) and I enjoyed it, I guess it really could be for anyone! If you're looking for one of those traditional YA love triangle books where the heroine MUST-MAKE-CHOICE-BETWEEN-TWO-GORGEOUS-GUYS - this is not that book. This story is about 16-year-old Katie Parker who, because her father is absent and her mother is in prison, is being taken from the group home she's been in to live with her new foster parents. New guardians, new home, new town, new school, new clothes, new everything - and Katie is not so sure about any of it. In fact, she's pretty sure she's going to be sent back before too long. Katie's story shows how your decisions and choices really have a profound effect on your life and on the people around you - a lesson she learns the hard way after getting into trouble when she chooses the wrong crowd to hang around and succumbs to peer pressure while trying to fit in. The novel is written in first person - and Katie is a witty and sarcastic narrator - which is something I always enjoy! It's a quick read - the pacing is handled very well and there are several memorable characters, including her foster grandmother, Mad Maxine, who is definitely NOT the stereotypical cookie baking, craft making, practical granny. Katie's foster parents are a preacher and his wife, so there is an element of faith in the story, but it isn't preachy at all. The novel is not like reading a sermon or anything - the religious aspect of some of the characters' lives adds to the story without slowing it down or feeling forced or artificial. This is a contemporary, slice of life kind of story and I like the growth Katie shows by the end of the novel. She realizes the difference between accidents and choices, learns that she can succeed if she puts in the effort, learns what real friends are and what family is, and discovers where she belongs. I would have liked to have learned a little more about Katie's back-story and a little more about Amy, Katie's foster parents' daughter. I also would have liked to have seen more of Katie and her foster parents getting to know each other and learning each other's stories, but this is a series, so maybe that will come. In all, I really enjoyed this - it's a quick, fun, light read!… (mais)