Book Description

Kelly Ray is nineteen and a recovering heroin addict.To stay sober, she lives by a severe set of rules, and the last thing she needs is a complicated guy. And who could be more complicated than the heir to the throne of a war-torn European country?But when, by chance, she meets Prince Tomas Teronovich, Kelly is hooked-not so much by his looks, his gentleness, or his obvious attraction to her, but by the idea of getting him on her Aunt Kit's radio talk show.So begins one amazing night, during which she will need to keep Prince Tom entertained, hidden from his guards and the politicians who want to control his every move; keep secret for as long as possible her connection to the controversial host of "Kit Chat"-and keep herself from falling in love. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One Chance
A Review by Nathan

Kelly Ray is a recovering heroine addict who works for her famous aunt on radio talk show. It is Kelly's job to pertain information on the people who are soon to be interviewed by her aunt. Her aunt wants an interview with the famous prince, and soon to be king, of Lakveria. The only problem is that he is under tight security and she has no way to get to him. This is where Kelly intervenes. She spends a whole night out on the town with the prince trying to get him on the show. At the same time the two become very close.

The book was, overall, very interesting, to put it simply. The characters in the book where very animated and fun. They were not the norm which made the characters that much better. Every character was important to the story or changed it in some way, and it shows that the author took time to make it that way. One thing that I personally did not like, however, was the lack of action. The book had much suspense but never went off into action scenes. There is one final thing that I especially like about the book, and it is a personal thing. Most people like a fast read, and I do too, but this book was slow in the sense that it took time to give all the facts. And when the author takes time like this it makes whatever happens that much better.

In recommendation, I say "Regardless of whom you are or how old or what you like etc., READ THIS BOOK!! You need to hear this story! It isn't long but it is all worth it!"

finely written and well-paced
A recovering teen heroin addict whose caretaker hosts a national radio call in show gets the scoop of a lifetime when she runs into the prince of a small European country in upheaval. Torn between making a new friend and her duty to her media queen aunt Kit, Kelly has only 24 hours to win over the prince and convince him to appear on her aunt's show.
This is a modern day fairy tale with a twist - the characters are neither good NOR evil, simply humanly flawed and must arrive at tough decisions. Qualey pulls the reader in from the first page and provides an engrossing story that allows her protagonist to make profound and believable change. Midwestern readers may appreciate the setting more than New Englanders, but the topical references don't detract from the story. Only be revealing her past can Kelly help Tom, the king to be, accept the mission of his future, and in turn, resolve her own conflicts to move toward her future. This is a finely written and well-paced novel. Highly recommended for fans of Gail Carson Levine.

One Night
I went to a writers conference and met the author, Marsha Qualey, and when she talked about this book, it persauded me to buy it. When Kelly, a recovering heroin addict meets Prince Tomas, they spend a crazy day together. First its all for a story, for her aunt Kit, delivering a book to a recording artist who made her mad, but in the elevator she meets Prince Tomas, who is here for peace talks. They run from security guards and spend a night on the town. Where, Tomas tells Kelly about his sister, who is hurt from a mission trip, and forces Kelly to go in depth of her addiction. He brings up the pain and hurt she faced when family comes up. She almost killed her baby sister when she was on heroin because there was a fire and she was stoned and didn't know what was happening. What will happen when the morning comes? ... Read more

Book Description

A promise is a promise, and before she died, Willo's mother made her father promise Willo could finally have a horse. Her grandfather, her best friend during those difficult days, warns her: don't fall in love with the first horse that you see. But Willo does-with a feisty ex-racehorse who has been mistreated by her former owners. Willo is convinced she can train her, despite her father's deadline. After all, she has the trainer Diana by her side, and the strikingly handsome Colin, but even she knows that in the end it is she alone who will take on the wild Tess.

Sally Keehn, author of the popular I am Regina, has written a wonderfully authentic horse story for any reader who has ever dreamed of owning a horse. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Book Review
Before Willo's mother died she promised her she could get a horse. Her grandfather told her not to get the first horse she saw. The first horse she saw was an abused ex-racehorse named Tess. The minute Willo saw her she wanted to buy her, but she had to prove to her father, who is always drunk and almost never home, she can control Tess. I liked this book. Willo worked really hard trying to reach her goals. To see if Willo reached her goals you'll have to read the book!

The appealing characters make this a book for everyone
The First Horse I See is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved a horse as its portrayal of Willojean's relationship with her abused, spirited horse, Tess, is gripping and touching. But this beautiful book far transcends the genre of "horse story." Willo's relationships with her grandfather, her alcoholic father, the boy she has a crush on, are all believable and touching. Struggling with a difficult horse and a difficult father, grieving the loss of her mother, Willo is a plucky, engaging, unforgettable character who will appeal to any reader.

Very Well Written
I would recommend this book to any young horse lover. It is very well written and very inspirational.

Love at first sight
This is a awesome book!
Willo's grandpa told her not to fall in love with the first horse you see. But she can't help loving Tess, the first hosre she saw. It's about Willo's life and how she has to haldle Tess plus everything else that gets in her way.
It's a 5 star and a MUST!

WHAT AN AWESOME HORSE STORY!!!
This book is great!! Willojean,the main character,is a 14-year old girl who's mom died of cancer and her dad is a spy plane designer who is away alot. She lives on her granddad's farm where her best friend Dove keeps her pony Toby. Willo then gets a feisty ex-racehorse named Tess. Tess is very hard to control, so Willo gets help from her trainer Diana,Diana's son Colin,Dove, and her granddad. Will she ever control Tess? Will her alcoholic dad even let her keep Tess that long? Find out in this great book! I loved it so much I even read it to my pony Lucky! I swear he loved it,to! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Funny young adult writers are a rare treasure, and Joan Bauer is one of the funniest. Critics and young readers rejoiced at her three previous novels--Squashed, Thwonk, and Sticks--and with Rules of the Road, she has written a story that is wise and touching as well as comical. Jenna Boller is too tall for a sophomore and she's not much good in school. Her sister Faith got all the looks in the family, but boy, can Jenna sell shoes! She's supremely happy at her after-school job at Gladstone's, where the big white sign over the door says "We're Not Just Selling Shoes, We're Selling Quality." When elderly Mrs. Madeline Gladstone, the crusty president of the company, chooses Jenna as her driver on a business trip to visit other Gladstone's stores, Jenna goes reluctantly--with trepidation at driving the huge Cadillac, and at the prospect of leaving her alcoholic father behind. But on the road, Jenna learns "great road truths" such as "Never eat at a place called Mom's, because it's a safe bet Mom's been dead for years." She also proves to be indispensable (possessing an eagle eye for shoddy quality and sloppy service), and soon learns to admire and love the irascible Mrs. Gladstone as well as her old friend, "World's Best Shoe Salesman" Harry Bender. When Harry dies suddenly, Jenna realizes that she wishes he had been her father.Trouble looms in the form of a company takeover by Mrs. Gladstone's sleazy son, Elden, "Shoe Rodent," but Jenna summons courage from Harry's memory and saves the day for quality shoes. Rules of the Road is a treat that will utterly delight readers. (Age 12 and older) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (104)

Great Summer Read
The basic plot may sound dumb (Shoe Salesgirl and Old Lady Tour Country?s Shoe Stores to Save Old Fashioned Values) but there are a lot of other things under the surface. Jenna has just gotten her license and is happy to take this trip with Mrs. Gladstone because her absentee, alcoholic father is back in town. Jenna also has a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer?s so Jenna has to help her hold on to her memories for as long as possible. Like many children of alcoholics, Jenna feels that she has to protect everyone, so this trip away from home gives Jenna time to focus on her.

Like most teenagers, Jenna has a lot of opinions that most adults tend to ignore, so this trip also gives her a chance to be heard. I loved how Jenna developed over the story and came to trust herself more. The ending wraps up the shoe store story line a little too perfectly, but beyond that I loved this book! It would be great poolside reading. Have a good summer.

Rules of the road apply to life too.
Jenna is a tall girl who can't play basketball and has a crush on a boy who doesn't know she exists. But can she sell shoes! Like her heroine in "Hope Was Here", Bauer creates a teenager who actually enjoys her job and is good at it. Her talent causes her crotchety old boss, Mrs. Gladstone, to whisk her away from the store and place her behind the wheel of her enormous Cadillac. As the two wind their way from Illinois to Texas, they inspect each Gladstone store where, "We're Not Just Selling Shoes, We're Selling Quality." Jenna spies on the salespeople and races to serve ignored customers, blowing on her initialed shoehorn after each sale. It's a race against time to stop the sale of the chain by Mrs. Gladstone's evil son, "The Rat", to a discount shoe warehouse. As Jenna learns the rules of the road, she also learns about life from Alice, a former shoe model, and Harry, the best salesman around. Over the summer, Jenna grows into a young woman with confidence and the courage to confront her alcoholic father back home in Chicago. A touching and funny coming-of-age novel.

A book that's worth it
I could relate to this book. It taught me that some things that hurt the most can keep you strong. by the end i was crying, but this book helped me a lot.

Rules of the Road RULES!!!
Rules of the Road is book about a teenage girl finding her place in life. Jenna is a tall, lanky girl, who works at a shoe store named Gladstone's. Mrs. Madeline Gladstone, the owner, is threatened by her money-hungry son, Elden, who wants to take over the buisness. Mrs. Gladstone, needs someone to drive her to Texas, to stop him, and keep her company. After observing her work, Jenna is the perfect candidate to drive her. Once Jenna accepts Mrs. Gladstone's generous offer, and becomes her personal driver, things start falling apart at home. Jenna's father is an alcoholic, and has made Jenna and her family live through hard times with him before the divorce. Jenna needs to get away from problems at home, and a road trip to Texas is the perfect exit. The journey's experience teaches Jenna, and the reader determination, courage, and friendship. This book didn't only make me laugh out loud, and make me never put it down, but it taught me that friendship has no age limits. Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone are the perfect example of that. I think this book would appeal to anyone who likes sarcastic humor, continuous plot, and characters they can relate to.

Clinton @ Richview Middle School @ Clks. Tenn.
The book starts off in a shoe store, where Jenne Boller is working. She is a tall girl and she can sell anything to almost anybody. She is also facing family problems. To add on to that her dad is an alcoholic he even interrups her at her work. Sometimes it gets so bad she wants to leave town. So one day Madiline Gladstone,owner of a shoe company,hires her to be a driver. She takes a long journey across the U.S.. Then she meets the great Harry Blender And he teaches her the rules of the road. This Book was very interesting because of the lesson taught in it. It shows you that anybody can do anything. ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Martyn Pig, a boy with a terrible name trapped in a terrible life.His mother has left him.His father is a belligerent, abusive alcoholic. It seems like his life can¹t get any worse. And then it does. Faced with the sudden, accidental death of his father, Martyn realizes that for the first time ever, he has a choice.He can tell the police what happened ­ or he can get rid of the body and go on with the rest of his life.Deciding on the latter, Martyn and his pretty new neighbor come up with a seemingly foolproof plan. Then, just as Martyn begins to think his life is finally under control, a twisted turn of events leaves him stunned beyond belief. ... Read more

Reviews (72)

Review of Martyn Pig
The story Martyn Pig is a murder mystery. His mother left him at a very young age his father is an alcoholic who abuses him. He has a crush on his neighbor Alex who has a rude, selfish, lying boyfriand named Dean. Martyn and his father get into a fight and now Martyn and Alex have to cover it up. I like the book Martyn Pig because it is a murder mystery and you don't know whats going to happen next. I rate the story Martyn Pig with 5 stars.

A Classic Noir
Martyn Pig is a noir in the classic sense. Brooks follows in the footsteps of the mystery writers whom he admires extremely well; he knows the genre. The twists and turns in this novel make for a gripping, quick read. Despite its sort of morbid subject matter, it turns out to be surprisingly funny. The reader can relate to the main character on all sorts of levels; this is a kid who's likeable and sort of vulnerable, and though you may think that he's a total idiot at times, you're hoping he gets what he wants in the end. Sort of. This is a book that illustrates that once you make that initial (fateful) decision, the cards fall and you just have to deal with them as they come. The way you handle the fallout shows you who you really are inside.

I don't want to go into plot -- it'll just ruin all the suspense!

I have a few criticisms: I was confused about where this story took place, at least initially. The main character had a definite British voice and throughout the story uniquely British terms were thrown around: "loverly turkey" and "bloody" and "trolley" and "bloke" and "pub" and on and on. At the same time, the author used "bucks" and dollars, referred to CVS and listened to NPR. It makes this reader wonder if the editors were trying to make the book more readable to the average American teen. If so, why not Americanize everything? Or just leave it completely British? Plenty of books originally published in the U.K. have had great success here, and not only Harry Potter. David Almond's Printz Award winner and the series by Louise Rennison (a sort of Bridget Jones Diary for teens -- also a Printz Honor) to name a few. Please don't insult the intellligence of U.S. teens!

Another criticism I had was an error in fact: Brooks has the father's dead body "loosen up" (the affects of rigamortis reversing) after laying around rotting for a few days.

And lastly, my edition had several glaring copyedit errors, including part sentences just not being there!

But, criticism aside, it remains a great read, one that teens will love.

Suspense, Black Comedy and Teen Elements
I read Martyn Pig from beginning to end in a brethless rush. It was a suspense novel with the perfect mix of black comedy and teen elements thrown in. The story chronicles a teenage boy, Martyn, dealing with his father's sudden death. Martyn's dad was a runthless abusive drunk, so the death dosen't really upset him at first. After weaving a web of lies to cover up what really happened, Martyn and his friend Alex find themselves caught up in a mystery much like the dective stories Martyn loves so much. It's an intricately woven book that you won't forget long after you put it down. Brooks writes with much honesty and intregity, making it feel like you're in right in the story. From the beginning to the end the book is facinating and memorable.

Rivoting tale
This story is about a boy who grew up with a drunk as a father. One evening Martyn got so fed up with his father's alcohol problem that they started to argue. Then Marytn's father tried to punch him; but Martyn pushed him away. Just then he fell back and hit his head on the wall and died instantly. Alex, Martyn's friend, arrived shortly afterwards. Martyn has a choice, tell the police what happened, or hide the body. Martyn Pig is a rivoting tale about murder and how a boy deals with it.

good book
i like the book martyn pig it is really intesting.that is why i gave it 4 stars it is cool how know one knows this one secret and now everyone does. it was amazing bye ... Read more

Book Description

The Adventures of Captain Love & Dr. Smart is first in a series of 24 children's books that introduces the characters, a little boy hero and companion robot with a computer heart, who live on a loving Planet "Heartland", where there is no violence or crime. The King of Hearts sends these heroes to Earth to teach Earthling kids (3-8) love and early values. This book teaches choosing right over wrong, through this fun, entertaining story, in verse. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Adventures of Captain Love & Dr. Smart
We have all 3 of Patricia Hartland's children's books and they are the greatest to teach any young kids (3-8)self-worth and real family values in an entertaining way. Great for reading to each child...lots of fun and super pictures. The BEST! ... Read more

Book Description

His dad named him Napoleon, hoping he'd conquer the world -- or something. Though his world has been a disappointing place. After fifteen years, Napoleon busts out and takes to the streets. He's hoping to find something real, something unspoiled by adults. But the streets are just aching to eat him alive, and Luna Park won't stop laughing in his face.

He orbits a gang leader who wants to start Armageddon downtown. He falls hard for Sammie, an astro-chick always en route to the moon. Mr. Bones, with his scythe and hood, taunts him at every corner, and the only way Napoleon can survive is to stay sane in this world gone mad. The trouble is, what happens if it's all the reverse?

Reviews (1)

nirvana's children
while the story seems good the book actually fails to capture what it sets out to. it tells of the young boys first time making "disease". and of other things the whole time reading it i thought this kid had a mental disorder that should have been spotted years ago. ... Read more

Book Description

P.S. Eddie Takes a Trip is a full color story book specifically about Drug Education/Prevention and is targeted for children ages 8-12.

It is a fictional story about a group of 12-13 year old kids who find out the hard way what happens when they decide to smoke marijuana.

An excellent tool used in opening the lines of communication between you and the child you are reading to while spending quality time together.

Points of Discussion Questions help adults open the lines of communication and provide a wrap-up to the story.

The Partnership for a Drug Free America agreed to serve as a source in providing factual information to adults who will be reading the book to children. The PDFA information is located on the Points of Discussion Page. ... Read more

Book Description

It's time for Marcus to get his haircut, but today his mom is busy so he has to walk to the barbershop alone. On the walk there, Marcus sees a lot of bad news—buildings covered in graffiti, people drinking outside a liquor store, and police cars everywhere. By the time he reaches Mr. Jackson's barbershop, he feels pretty low. Mr. Jackson and everyone else in the shop can see that Marcus is upset. One by one, they tell him all about the good news that's in their neighborhood—Ms. Isabelle and her beautiful garden, Mr. Alexander and his son who fix bicycles for kids, and Mr. Blake who has been selling ice cream for thirty years. As Marcus walks home, he not only sees good news, he decides he's going to be good news. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

We are"Good News"
Ken Cole's book illustrates with simplicity how our children can look within themselves to find and to make good news.The story depicts a young boy walking alone to the local barbershop to get his haircut.On his way he notices all things negative.After his interaction with the barbershop clientele, he leaves and notices all of the positive things around him.The story hits home for many of our inner city youth.However we can, we have to remind them that there is good news out there.We have to make sure that they know how to see it and how to find it.Cole's book is an excellent tool to use to introduce our youth to finding the "Good News" everywhere.

Beautiful Book
Given as a gift to me, I loved the photos and story, but at age 5 this has become my son's favorite book & his bedtime must read.

Good News for all kids
This powerfully simple illustration teaches children to look at the positive and more importantly, look within themselves for "good news".
Our non-profit organization will be ordering 300 for our kids so that they can see that they are "good news" too!

This book is about GOOD news!
The first time I read this book, I was struck by the simple story line.A haircut for this little boy represents a major step towards growing up.The book effectively delivers that message that there is hope in every situation.I shared this book with my seven year old son, who also enjoyed the book.The pictures are almost surreal by transitioning from black and white photos in the beginning to a colorized version when the little boy's attitude changes.I would strongly recommend adding this book to any child's collection. ... Read more

Book Description

Skinhead. Neo-Nazi. Lexi Jordan knows the names her friends use to talk about themselves, but she isn't quite sure what they mean. She knows her swastika tattoo and heavy boots are part of belonging. And Lexi wants to belong. When she sneaks out to meet her friends and make plans, she feels more at home than she does in her own house. And so far nothing they've done has been that bad. But Lexi begins to wonder just how safe she is when the group begins to do things that make her increasingly uneasy. After accidentally meeting Ursula Zeidler, an old woman with a terrifying secret, she sets off a chain of events that places everyone she cares about in danger and leads her to the biggest decisions of her life. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Spiffy Spider
The Spider's Web Starts out with Lexi, a one parent victim of divorce, is running away from three men chasing her. She is wearing a hoodie covering her head. She is clutching a red spray paint can. She throws the can toward the forest and runs toward a porch. Se meets Ursula, an old German woman. Lexi has joined a neo-Nazi group of people who has divorced parents. They spray-paint swastikas on walls and synagogues. Some people don't think the holocaust happened. Ursula talks to Lexi and changes her mind about all of the Nazis.
I liked this book a lot. I would give it a 4 and a half but Amazon.com doesn't do halves. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten. Some of the parts are not really meant for young minds. It may be good for teaching kids about the bad things in the world.

I LOVE IT!
This book is an amazing story and I loved it. This is so cool because of its similarity to life. This could happen to anyone! If you are interested in WWII and the Nazi's then this is the book for you. The author never had any low points in the story, I could't stop reading this book! I always fell asleep with it in my hands because the author make you keep wanting to read more and more to find out what is going to happen next. Great book.

Longing for Belonging
Alienated from her mother, 13-year-old Lexi Jordan adopts her neo-Nazi friends as her family. Then she meets Ursula, a former Nazi who reminds her of her grandmother. Through their growing friendship, Lexi gradually acknowledges to herself that she does not believe in the hateful tenents of her skinhead friends. Even though it means loneliness and danger, Lexi resolves to leave the group and seek her identity elsewhere.

GOOD BOOK FOR RELUCTANT READERS
I'm a school social worker who knows kids from many different backgrounds. I think THE SPIDERS WEB is a good story with strong lessons about making mistakes that might not be 'fixable'. Besides teaching middle and high school kids about the reality of anti-semitism and neo-naziam, it will interest almost any kid who has gotten into dangerous or frightening situations because they're at a low point in their life. It's ideal for reluctant readers because it's highly interesting and very readable. It would be a good addition to any Holocaust curriculum.

An Exceptional Book By A Prize Winning Author
A fast paced adventure, vividly written. A young girl and an elderly woman, each on opposite sides of bigotry, learn from each other. ... Read more

Book Description

Timothy is a full-colour children's book. ... Read more

Book Description

How can one month change everything?

Catherine Ames's father is a traveler -- he always has been. And except for fleeting visits which always left Catherine yearning for more, her father has always been a mystery to her. So when Mr. Ames suggests a month-long stay at a summer cabin in Nova Scotia for just the two of them, Catherine is thrilled. Finally, she will know her father as the other girls at school know theirs -- his habits, his laugh, and most of all, his wonderful stories.

But their summer of discovery is soon overshadowed by Mr. Ames's unpredictability. He drinks a lot -- more than Catherine imagines other fathers drink. Up close, her fancy-free father seems different -- darker, like the Nova Scotian night sky. As the sun sets on their month together, Catherine struggles against the terrible things she is learning about her father. How can the man she grew up wishing was near seem so far away now? And how can she bring him back to her? ... Read more

Book Description

Woodsies come a long way in two seasonsfrom clueless beginner to one of the team leaders. The Wings, now Peewees, have come a long way, too. Even the national title doesnt seem too much to hope foras long as they set their sights straight.But someone on the team has a problem with straightnessto chill his nerves he turns to a little drug use, and threatens to send the Wings hopes up in smoke. Woodsie returns as narrator of the final Wings novel to reply to some hard questions with some even harder answers.Finally, a respected author has stepped in to up the standard of writing in a much-read genre. The Horn BookBrookss knowledge and love of the sport, and his respect for his audience and athletes, come through on every page. . . . ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Woodsie, Again (Wolfbay Wings, No 12)
This story is about a hockey team and how some of the players started using marijuana, and how the rest of the team and coach dealt with it.While the book was real descriptive on playing hockey, the story line was minimal and seemed to me to be rather vague.It seemed it had gaps whereyou almost had to guess what went on.This would be of interest andrecommended to the 5th and 6th graders. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Confinement comes in many forms...
Both a statement on the keeping wild animals in captivity and a psychological novel about the after-effects of acts of violence, Rivers has written a tense and tight novel about freedom. Two Canadian teens struggle to cope with a shocking incident at a childhood field-trip to the Seaquarium. Holden, newly reunited with his ailing and addict mother, fears water and seeks escape in painting and abuses alcohol. Cassie, emotionally estranged from her naïve psychiatrist parents, dances and suffers from nightmares. Imprisoned by the memories that haunt them, together they find catharsis that leads to healing through their art, through talking, and through their relationship with one another. The author's agenda to raise awareness is very clear, yet never overpowers the story. A zealous anti-captivity science teacher provides a natural opportunity for Cassie and her friend Sina to talk about the situation of killer whales in aquariums. The book has a few minor flaws. In spite of the fact that Holden's mother is dying of AIDS, condoms are never mentioned in the sparsely detailed, brief and fluid sex scene between Holden and Cassie. Cassie's parents are unbelievably inconsiderate at every turn, almost Dahl-esque, but Holden's parents make up for it by being more complex. Impressively, each detail, scene and character has a purpose, furthers the plot, and is pertinent. The novel ends on an hopeful note for the characters, but the epilogue has an ominous tone for the thousands of mistreated whales still kept in confined in too-small pools. Surprisingly, no contact information for animal rights activist groups is provided. Is it a coincidence that Orca books published this one? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

charming story with charming characters
This is a delightfully funny and charming story of a young girl's growing up and trying to fit in. She is also dealing with an alcoholic step-father with whom she is trying to develop a father-daughter relationship. The story has an important, positive message that is a must read for young teens dealing with these difficult issues. The book is well-structured and Supplee masterfully intermingles the more serious messages in the book with lots of very funny situations. The book ends on a positive note. You'll love these characters and be begging for more novels featuring them. ... Read more

Book Description

Scott Lambert is the kind of guy every girl dreams of dating: good looking, popular, and fabulously rich. But Scott is tormented by a family secret he doesn't want anyone to discover especially not Natalie Ainsworth, the pretty high-school junior he is just getting to know. Scott is convinced a great girl like Natalie could never understand what it's like to have an alcoholic mother who's in and out of rehab-or to be faced with the devastating prospect of having her come home again.

Natalie Lambert knows she's falling hard for Scott Lambert, but she worries that his elusive personality will keep her from ever getting close. Then the Lambert family invites her to come along on a weekend getaway to upscale Lake Oakwood, and Natalie thinks she's found her big opportunity. Will she finally learn the truth about Scott and the mysterious mother he refuses to discuss?

Will there always be a barrier between them?

Reviews (1)

Scott is the BEST!
Scott is the sweetest Christian guy around and Natalie definately deserves him. They're persfect for each other! Poor Scott has a horrible past, and not the best family. Thankfully Natalie knwos that he can't helps that and loves him anyways. I loved how it told what both Scott and Natalie were thinking because they both liked each other, but weren't sure if the other one did.

EXCELLENT! ... Read more

Book Description

This insightful middle grade novel is an honest portrayal of a child struggling to survive life in an alcoholic family, but it also offers realistic hope as the child makes important discoveries ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hold On Jessica, Don't Let Go
A very genuine, thoughtful insight into the troubled world of a young girl's life. Inspirational and educational to all living with memories of childhood pain. Offers hope and resolution, while staying true to life.

Hold On, Jessica, Don't Let Go
This thoughtful, uplifting story of a young girl coping with the problems of living in an alcoholic home offers inspiration and encouragement to young readers who must endure similar difficulties.

Hold On Jessica Don't Let Go
This book is an invaluable tool for children with the misfortune of having an alcholol or drug addicted parent .
It gives hope and solutions for dealing with the problem.
The story is interesting and has fine characters and also some suspense and excitement. It shows tolerance and love as well. ... Read more