TRUE...(SORT OF) by Katherine Hannigan

Everyone is frustrated with Delly Pattison - her parents, her teachers and principal, and even the local police.  Delly is constantly in trouble.  She gets in fights, skips school, and sneaks out at night.  According to everyone, she is out of control.

Delly's parents are at their wits' end.  At school Delly is always in timeout at recess, and she has served countless after school detentions.  In a meeting with Delly's concerned parents, the principal threatens that the next time Delly misbehaves she will have to go to another school.  There are also problems with Delly at home.  Delly doesn't mean to make trouble.  Her anger issues are just beyond her control.

When Ferris Boyd comes to town, Delly's world changes.  Ferris Boyd doesn't talk and everyone is warned not to touch her because it makes her freak out.  For some reason Delly and Ferris Boyd click.  Delly is able to communicate with the strange, new girl, and together with her little brother RB, Delly draws Ferris Boyd out of her shell.  The relationship also helps Delly.  Her problems with anger fade away, and she surprises everyone with her excellent behavior.

It is not all smooth sailing for Delly.  Her new friendship involves secrets that complicate matters and add many interesting twists and turns.  Author Katherine Hannigan uses a combination of quirky characters, mischief, and misguided good intentions to make TRUE...(SORT OF) a fast-paced, inspiring read.



THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith

OK, it's confession time.  I bought this simply because I figured the girls would like it; I wasn't planning on reading it myself.  Well, I'm glad I gave it a whirl.

When her father left for a temporary teaching job in London and then never returned, Hadley was left with mixed feelings.  Should she still love him or hate him for turning her life upsidedown?  Her mother finally pulled herself back together after the divorce and life was moving on.  Now Hadley's father has announced he is remarrying and he wants her to come to England for the wedding.  Reluctantly, she agrees.

Hadley knew she would regret the decision, but she didn't realize it would be so soon.  Just four minutes late, and she misses her flight.  She is able to get on the next flight, but it means waiting in the airport for hours.  Making the wedding on time is going to be touch and go.

Those four minutes end up making Hadley's trip one she will never forget.  An attractive, eighteen year old English guy named Oliver becomes Hadley's seatmate.  He is amazing!  Could the bond they develop during the trans Atlantic flight hold promise for the future? 

Author Jennifer E. Smith takes readers into Hadley's life for a mere twenty-four hours, but that one day gives the seventeen year old a new perspective on life, love, and family.  I'm definitely glad I bought this one and also glad I took the time to read it.



GRACE by T. Greenwood

Thirteen year old Trevor, his little sister Grace, and his parents Kurt and Elsbeth make up one side of this intricate story.  On the other side is Crystal whose life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant at  seventeen.

GRACE is written in a style that reminds me of books by Jodi Piccoult.  Author T. Greenwood takes her readers deeply into the lives and minds of her characters as she gradually reveals their personal issues and their often complicated connections.

Trevor is suffering at the hands of two bullies, and at the same time finding his voice through photography.  Not able to talk about the daily torment he suffers, he escapes through the lens of an old film camera his elderly art teacher provides.  His deep love for his young sister also keeps him focused when all he wants to do is explode.

Kurt and Elsbeth are childhood sweethearts whose relationship has become stale over time as their focus has turned to economic survival.  Kurt works two jobs and any free time is spent looking out for his father whose hoarding issues have attracted the attention of the authorities.  Elsbeth works part time as a hairdresser and frantically attempts to hid a shoplifting habit that threatens to spiral out of control.  She dotes on Grace and worries constantly about Trevor.

Expectations for Crystal are high.  When her unexpected pregnancy threatens to derail her parents plans for her to attend college, her mother steps in and arranges to have an adoptive couple whisk Crystal's baby away immediately after the birth.  As time passes, Crystal regrets her decision and begrudges her parents' controlling ways.  The emotional impact of giving birth and giving up her child may have set her on a path toward destruction.

I was able to read GRACE thanks to my generous neighbor who passed it on after winning it in a Goodreads giveaway.  She suggested it might qualify as YA for older teen readers, and I agree.  I know of several high school readers I will be suggesting it to this fall.

UNDER THE BRIDGE by Michael Harmon

Ebook ARC courtesy of NetGalley.com
Release date: 11-13-12

Tate and Indy are brothers.  Both are well-known as local skateboard experts, and both agree that their father's expectations are set way too high.

Tate struggles in school, but manages to pull out passing grades.  He dreads report card time not because of his own grades, but because he knows there will be a major fight at home when Indy shows up without his grades.  Indy, perfectly capable of straight A's, hates school and skips class to get high instead.  Tate knows his father will drink a few extra beers and wait angrily until Indy makes an appearance. 

This time the fight takes an unpredictable turn when their father kicks Indy out.  Although Tate may not always agree with his brother's choices, he can't believe he has been told to leave.  Ever the protector, Tate makes it his mission to find out where Indy goes and attempts to bring him home.  Unfortunately, Indy heads straight to his suppler and ends up dealing drugs and getting involved in murder. 

Tate would like nothing better than to enter an approaching skateboard competition, but instead finds himself in his own challenging situations as he tries to defend his brother and convince his parents and the school that Indy is a kid worth fighting for.  Tate begins to make his own questionable choices as he heads to the rougher side of town looking for his brother.  He never realized he was capable of violence, and surprises himself when he strikes out in defense of Indy and others he feels are wrongly treated.  Tate learns following the rules may mean different things to different people.

Author Michael Harmon has created yet another hit.  Full of family drama combined with intense skateboard action, UNDER THE BRIDGE is sure to captivate teen readers.  Harmon has a way of drawing readers into the lives of his characters and making them feel a part of the action.  His fans will no doubt be eagerly awaiting this November release.


THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson

Just in case it is not exciting enough to head off to London for a year in an English boarding school, simply add what appears to be a Jack the Ripper copycat killer, and things are sure to get exciting.

Rory is used to the peaceful, laid back life in small town Louisiana, but when her parents are offered an opportunity to work in London for a year, she jumps at the chance to join them.  Shortly after Rory arrives at Wexford the first murder takes place.  The wounds on the victim are freakishly similar to those on the victims of the infamous Jack the Ripper.  Could it be that someone is copying the legendary London killer?

Rory quickly adjusts to the routine of Wexford, and she and her roommate become fast friends.  The business of school keeps Rory occupied as the murders continue.  Rory doesn't mind that the students are closely watched and restricted in their movements, but during this time she begins experiencing something strange.  Why does she start seeing people no one else around her seems to notice?

When another murder takes place, this time on the Wexford campus, Rory is one of the students questioned.  She mentioned seeing a strange man around the time and location of the killing.  Once again, Rory seems to be the only one who saw the man. 

At the same time a new student arrives and is placed in the room with Rory and her roommate Jazza.  Rory soon learns she is not the only one who sees these mysterious people.  Her new roommate reveals she is actually an undercover cop, and with the help of some colleagues, she explains that Rory is seeing ghosts.  One of them may even be the ghost of Jack the Ripper.

Author Maureen Johnson has created an amazing mystery filled with fascinating historical details and chilling descriptions of the modern-day murders.  Fans of Johnson's earlier works will not be disappointed with THE NAME OF THE STAR, and she is sure to gain a whole new group of fans with this latest offering.

SUPERGIRL MIXTAPES by Meagan Brothers

Maria was born in New York City but moved to South Carolina when she was two.  Her artist mother headed back to NYC when Maria was four.  Since then Maria has been surrounded by her father and her grandmother and their views of how awful her mother was.

After a rough breakup with Brian, Maria convinces her father she should move to NYC and get to know her mother.  Her grandmother pulls some strings and invests considerable money to get Maria enrolled in a fancy private school, and Maria is on her way.

Maria's first clue about her mother's stability should have come from the fact that the woman mixed up the arrival time of Maria's train.  She didn't seem to be at all concerned that she left Maria sitting in the train station for twelve hours, but instead, she just hustled Maria to her tiny apartment.  After that Maria begins to try to settle in only to discover she hates the private school and finds herself spending more time with her mother's very young boyfriend than getting to know the woman who has been absent from her life.

Music is the only steady force in Maria's life.  She finds relief listening to mixtapes created by a best friend from back home.  She also finds music helps her form helpful connections with her mother's boyfriend and another young man she meets at a local record store.  An older woman named Nina also steps up to help Maria understand some of the secrets her mother has been hiding.

SUPERGIRL MIXTAPES is the story of a teen trying to understand the odd family relationships that make up her life.  Not willing to accept her father's side of the story, she insists on making her own judgements about her mother's choice to abandon her family.  What she discovers isn't exactly the happy ending she had hoped for, but knowing the truth could make her stronger and more appreciative of those who continue to stand behind her.

BLOOD WOUNDS by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Willa's family consists of her mother, her step-father, and two step-sisters.  They are a close knit group.  Even though everyone is busy with tennis, dressage lessons and competitions, school, work, and college classes, they manage to have dinner together every Wednesday night.  Willa's mother even seems to have a reasonably friendly relationship with her husband's ex-wife; all for the sake of the children, of course.

Willa remembers little about her early years living in Texas with her mother and her biological father.  She doesn't know much, but she knows life wasn't great, and her mother decided it was best for them to leave and find a life without her abusive father.

When an old family friend calls to warn them Willa's father has killed his current wife and two of their three little girls, more family secrets are revealed.  Since her murderous father is on the road and headed in their direction, Willa and her mother could be next.

Author Susan Beth Pfeffer has created a real page-turner.  She illustrates the complex relationships that make up some families.  Just when you think you have the complete picture, something else pops up to complicate life for Willa.  BLOOD WOUNDS is filled with unspoken feelings, untold stories, and little known family history.  I know this one won't spend much time on the shelf.