After Rose’s mom dies of cancer, Rose finds one of her mother’s famous Survival Kits in a closet. Her kit includes an iPod, a picture of peonies, a crystal heart, a paper star, a box of crayons, and a miniature kite. Unfortunately, some music, art supplies, and pictures aren’t going to work any magic themselves. [...]

Tags: alcoholism, death, family problems, grief, romance, sports
Filed under: Book Review

When I first heard about Stewart Lewis’ You Have Seven Messages, the first thing that came to mind was the movie One Missed Call. Now, I have not seen One Missed Call, but I think I can safely say that You Have Seven Messages is, in fact, nothing like it. For those of you whose [...]

Tags: coming of age, dating, death, family problems, grief, music, mystery, photography
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[Warning: This review is a bit spoilery. Most of the summary information is revealed in the book's oficial synopsis, but those sensitive to such things should stay away or read with caution.] Rosie and Holly are born in the same hospital on the same night. One baby is born sick, on the brink of death, [...]

Tags: family problems, identity, illness, secrets, switched at birth
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Abby is beginning high school. It’s an exciting time, but also a terrifying one that signals a shift in her academic and social life. Abby struggles with the transition, and she’s afraid to talk to her family about it. The one person she feels she really can talk to about absolutely everything is Luke. Abby [...]

Tags: coming of age, family problems, internet safety, secrets, sex
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Stark McClellan (aka Stick) and his older brother Bosten are just your average teen guys in so many ways. They’re obsessed with jacking off, smoking pot, blowing things up, and getting into all kinds of shenanigans. But there are some things about the brothers that keep them from ever fitting in. Stick is extremely tall [...]

Tags: brothers, child abuse, family problems, homosexuality
Filed under: Book Review