Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone
by Kat Rosenfield 

Expected Publication Date: July 5, 2012

Young Adult, Ages 14+
(pg-13 for language, sexuality)

ARC  used for review.

Personal Ranking 4.5 out of 5

What happens when a stranger turns your world upside down?

On the night of her high school graduation Becca's boyfriend breaks her heart while only a mile away an unknown girl bleeds to death by the side of the road. Even though no one knows who she is, Amelia Anne's death casts a shadow of fear and sadness over the town. Tragedy has a way of uniting a small town in a way that those in cities and larger towns can only read about. Becca, with her whole life ahead of her, struggles under the weight of the night's tragic events and is suddenly unable to move forward. Her parents want to help her, but mistake the changes in her behavior as her reluctance to break up with her boyfriend, and Becca finds herself unable to tell them what her pain is really about. As the summer gets closer to the end and as rumors turn to accusations on the identity of Amelia Anne's killer, Becca wonders if she will ever be able to move on with her life?

This book has haunted me since the day I received it at the library, which is fitting since the story is haunting and beautifully tragic. I was completely hooked by the end of the first paragraph. Rosenfield weaves together the stories of two young women who have never met, but have their lives completely changed within minutes and miles of each other. Only 4 years apart in age, if their paths had crossed under more normal circumstances they probably would have become friends. Both were at a crossroads in their lives, knowing that they were ready to move on from home, boyfriends and past expectations to become the young women that they were meant to be. With Amelia Anne's life cut short, even though Becca doesn't know her, she can't shake the connection and almost needs the mystery solved so that she can be set free. 

I never saw the twists and turns coming and I can't wait to recommend this book to others. Amelia Anne and Becca will stay with me for a long time.








Lies Beneath

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Expected Publication Date: June 12, 2012

Young Adult, Ages 12+

ARC copy used for review.

Personal Ranking 2.5/3 out of 5

Murderous Mermaids

Promises are sacred to mermaids. Jason Hancock has no clue that his father made one to a mermaid, and then broke it. Now, the mermaid's children want to collect on Jason's father's debt: with Jason's life as the payment. Calder White and his sisters have thought of nothing but killing Jason Hancock for as long as they can remember, and now they finally have him in their sights. Calder's mission is to get close to the family, especially Hancock's daughter, Lily. But the closer he gets the deeper he falls, and wonders if he can fight his nature, and his sisters, for the girl he loves?

First it was vampires which morphed into werewolves before shifting into zombies who are becoming mermaids. It is refreshing to be under the water with a different type of mermaid then what I grew up with. It was also an excellent choice to have Calder as the narrator. The male point of view is exciting, especially when they go through such a psychological journey. Calder's decision to fight his nature and his sisters, was what finally drew me in. At times, Lily and Calder's conversations reminded me of Bella and Edward's since Calder knows that he is a monster and at first refuses to believe that he can change. The title is also excellent, there are so many layers of untruth that in the end is was like peeling an onion.

I only gave Lies Beneath 2.5/3 stars because while there were several things I loved about the book, there were a few things that bothered me. First, it took me forever to get into the story, much longer than normal. But I felt the need to keep reading, and I am glad that I did. Once I was "hooked" that was it; I was in hook, line and sinker. Then there was the ending, everything was great until the last two pages and then I was let off the hook with such force that I felt abandoned. Even though it was a happy ending, it left me feeling empty. But maybe that was the point after all, this was not a fish, I mean, fairytale.

Between the Lines

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer
Expected Publication Date: June 26, 2012

Young Adult, Ages 12+

ARC ISBN 978-1-4516-7557-3 used for review.

Personal Ranking 3.5 out of 5


"What happens when happily ever after ... isn't?"

Delilah is just like everyone other 15 year old girl, just trying to survive high school and find her place in the world. One day, she finds a misshelved book in the school library and decides to check out the fairy tale for herself. Feeling a connection to the book, she finds she can't put it down. Having read it over and over, she begins to notice little changes and wonders if there is more to the story then just the words on the page.

Oliver is just like any fairy tale prince, any prince that knows he is just a character in a book that is. He is not in love with the fair maiden, and is tired of living the same story over and over. For him, there is no happily ever after because there is no "after" and he wants out. When he and Delilah realize they can hear each other, they begin plotting to get Oliver out from between the lines and into Delilah's world. But can love really conquer all?

I read Between the Lines straight through, only stopping for meals, and found it wonderfully breezy. Would have made a great beach read, and hopefully will be published in time to be one for this summer. This would also probably be a good place to admit that I have never read a Jodi Picoult book before, so I had no preconceived notions of writing style or content. This will be an easy book to recommend to tweens and their mothers who are worried about language and content.   

But two things kept jumping out at me as I was reading it. First, it reminded me of one of my favorite series because I love the concept of what happens when a book is closed. I am sure that the idea of a character knowing that they are just a character in a book will make some wonder what on earth the author was thinking. For those non-believers, I encourage you to discover the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. Meet Thursday and get lost in bookworld for a while:) The second thing is that every once and a while, you are lucky enough to find a story that speaks to you. You feel like you are a part of it and that every time you open up its pages it is like returning home. For Delilah, that is exactly what happened. No matter what else one can say about this book, the lesson that a love of books and reading is one that any librarian can agree with!