Review: A Must Read in YA Contemporary
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 3, 2013
Amy is a very hurt girl, feeling like her dad doesn't want her on top of the fresh loss of her mum. An aunt who only wants to be there for her but no clue on how to get it done.The assortment of fellas in the small town setting isn't shabby but she crushes on the first one who throws her a bone. She gets a quick circle of true friends but is set on her path.Amy makes rash decisions trying desperately to fill a void that nothing can. Things go from good to great, to falling apart and then down right explosive. A triggered memory when she has a sobering moment brings things back into focus, eventually. But at what cost? And is it ever too late to make it better? When the blurb describes the book as gritty, that was so very true!It's about mistakes and being young and nave, when hurt and pain is all you feel. There's such destructive behavior that seems okay some of the time, like no big deal. It was easy for you to not see the grand picture just like Amy. It's funny and relate-able but dark and deep. All the things a great read is made of.Some would say that it brings light to or encourages, the sort of behavior some of the boys engage in. I think it sheds light on the reality of an upside down, no big deal mind set that actually occurs in the world we live in.It makes you think, Is my daughter equipped to handle anything life throws her way? And what can I do to make sure she has the tools needed to steer herself out of a mess. That is an accomplishment in and of itself for a novel.There are some that will stay with you and this is one of those stories.A great message I think of finding a way back from the depths of despair and finding the great things were there all along. You just have to look outside of yourself and find the strength to see past your pain long enough to notice.My Thoughts:This book was really, really great!I love a read that has the power to yank me in and not spit me out until I've used up tissues and been so angry I could scream. It shocked me and moved me, even drove me to laughter as well as the tears! I loved the grimy delve into Amy's world.I had my heart ripped from my chest only to have it ripped out at least twice more!Lauren K McKellar captures a story on these pages that I would recommend for any girl coming of age to read twice. I know my soon to be sixteen year old will. I recommend this book a thousand times over and over again.It raises Contemporary YA Lit to a new height in my book.So grab a copy, it won't disappoint.