Listen to Popular Titles Audiobooks in Teens, Ages 11-13

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Title: The Lambton Worm

Subtitle: The Lambton Worm Re-Telling, Book 1

Author: Martyn Stanley

Narrator: Ian Gordon, Jennifer Gill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-17-15

Publisher: MR M E STANLEY

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

The Lambton Worm is a modern re-telling of the popular story from old English folklore.

When a young John Lambton skips church to go fishing, he catches something unnatural. Fearful of his father's reaction to both skipping church and bringing such a foul creature to the house - he it throws in the well.

Years later, after fighting in the Crusades, John returns home to an unpleasant surprise.

When all seems lost, and he seems doomed to die - he finds help from a most unexpected person.

If you enjoy Martyn Stanley's The Lambton Worm, check out his Deathsworn Arc series.

Members Reviews:

A+

Good short story!!! Never heard about this before. Story was well develope and entertaining. Would recomend!!! I enjoy it!!! A+

New look at an old story

A brief and interesting retelling of an old folktale, this is suitable for most readers. The ending, however, was left open to allow for a sequel.

A great short story re-telling! Very readable, highly enjoyable and well-written. An author to watch!

My first book read by Martyn Stanley but not my last.I almost never venture into the world of fantasy books and folklore but decided to step outside of my comfort zone and I'm super pleased that I did!

This is a 6000 word short story retelling of the Tale of the Lambton Worm. We are not talking your tiny little wiggly garden worm here, no - think monster size evil worm.

Penshaw Hill is not far from where I live and folklore says it was the residence of the evil worm. Martyn tells the story of how the worm came to terrify and destroy lives of the innocent and any brace man willing to take it on. To break it's evil curse.

The story is highly enjoyable and really well-written. I was fully engaged and I'm not supposed to like these type of books remember. I got lost in a time long ago with the writing and escaped from real life with pleasure. It's a great short story!

Martyn's writing is easy to digest and his characters realistic (well, for fantasy) and his descriptions of the worm was suitably entertaining. I'm now spurred on the read his full length fantasy novel (what!) so sometimes going outside the box opens up whole new worlds! Literally. I must go and visit the monument at Penshaw Hill but I'll be watching out for monster worms whilst there. 5 stars for a story that gave me everything I wanted as a reader.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My entire review is honest, my own opinions and totally unbiased.

Don't go fishing when you should be in church.

Monster worms? Yes, please! I love odd creatures. I wasn't even disappointed when I realized that the giant worm was actually a dragon. The Lambton Worm is an actual English legend, and this is Martyn Stanley's vivid interpretation. It begins with John Lambton as a boy. Instead of going to church with his father, the boy escapes to go fishing. But what he catches is not a fish. It is eel-like, smelly, and has two arms with claws. And many razor-sharp teeth. An old man observes the boy and his catch, warning him that no good would come from missing church. The boy laughs and puts his catch in his bucket. Upon reaching home, he realizes that his father will be angry, and would be angrier still if he brought his prize home. So he releases the little monster into the town well. Brilliant!

Years go by and John joins the Crusades.

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Title: Grand Theft: Crime Solver's Detective Agency, Volume 2

Author: Victoria Schwimley

Narrator: Grace Sin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-19-15

Publisher: Victoria Schwimley

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Ever since starting her own detective agency, Karrine has wanted that really big case...and now, her chance is here. When her neighbor's car is stolen right out of her garage, Karrine is eager to investigate. The only problem is her mother won't let her work the case. To handle this problem, she'll take on a new partner. Meanwhile, in Sacramento, Jayden is solving mysteries of her own. And when her teacher's test booklet is stolen right out of her desk, Jayden sets out to solve the crime, or else her teacher will give an even harder test...and it's in math! Come join these quirky girls for much fun, great laughs, and a lot of crime solving.

Members Reviews:

Book 2

Any additional comments?

This second book in the Crime Solver's series is as delightful as the first.

Previously 12 year old Karrine had taken her younger cousin under her wing and allowed her to help solve crimes over summer vacation. Now Jayden is back with her family and a new school year finds fewer crimes for Karrine to solve.

The biggest mystery yet

The biggest mystery to be solved by the Crime Solvers Detective Agency yet, and Karrine handles it like a pro! My daughter and I enjoyed listening to this suspenseful story as much as the first book. Schwimley writes excellent mysteries. The only negative I can say about this book is that all the other characters were way too rude. Children tend to imitate what they see/hear so a little less rudeness and more manners would be a great change. Overall, its a huge 3 star book for me.

Fun story for my 10 year old

Cute story about a kid detective that solves crimes in her community. I listened to this book with my 10 year old. Neither one of us listened to or read the first book in the series. In my opinion it is not necessary to read it first.

The story of the kid detective seemed really far fetched and there was some dangerous situations that kids should not be putting themselves into. Hopefully, any kid that reads/listens to this book doesn't get any ideas of starting their own detective agency. Aside from that, my daughter enjoyed the book very much. She thought it was cool that kids were out solving crimes.

The narrator did a fine job. My only negative was that I thought she talked very fast. There was hardly much of a pause between sentences and the narrator rolled right in to the next chapter although that I suppose is more of an editing issue.

Kids loved it

My son loved this book! He loves crime and mystery books and he's only 6! But the cool thing was my daughter wanted to listen. She is not a fan of auto-books! She didn't want to stop!

Hits the mark completely!

This book is aimed at young readers, and my 10-year-old son and I listened to it together. He intently followed the story, laughing out loud (as only a boy would) over the dialogue and the storyline. Even today, my son is still chuckling over some of the jokes. I'd say this audiobook completely hits the mark for the intended audience. The narrator really captures the youth of the characters, and we loved their voices, too

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Title: Halloween Party Book Set

Author: James Livingood

Narrator: Michael Gilboe, J. Scott Bennett, Bryan Patrick Jones

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 09-30-15

Publisher: Paperbackward

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Celebrate Halloween with three unique and fun stories!

"Frankenstein: IT Support"

"Swamp Monster Voodoo"

"Vampire Caving"

Members Reviews:

Pure Halloween Fun

Any additional comments?

For the fun/light side of Halloween, I highly recommend the Halloween Party Book Set! Three fun tales by James Livingood make for a lovely listen. Frankenstein IT Support was my favorite story and all three stories were narrated with style. This book was a wonderful change of pace!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Quirky Fun

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I liked all of the short stories. IT Frankenstein was my favorite. I am still giggling about the "satellite not working with the TV" I thought all the narrators did a good job. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

Perfect listen for Halloween!

3 great stories by a great author. Gilboe and Bennett are two of my favorite narrators. They deliver an amazing rendition of the tale and the characters. I already have the vampire caving and swamp voodoo but was happy to get Frankenstein IT and the collection together made for great listening on Halloween. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Short and Funny stories filled with "monsters"

If you could sum up Halloween Party Book Set in three words, what would they be?

Funny, Monsters, Must-Read

What did you like best about this story?

I found it HILARIOUS!!! I laughed sooo hard at times i snorted. Call Centers, Dead squirrels, and more!

What about the narratorss performance did you like?

The narrators's performance really brought these monsters and humans to life where hilarity and mayhem ensued

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed through the whole thing! This is definitely a must read for a funny Halloween or monster story good for all!! slinging around dead fish and all

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Monsters have problems, too.

I wasn't crazy about the first story. I felt for poor Adam, the ever patient IT monster, but it dragged on a bit long and I got bored with it before the end. The other two stories were much more interesting. Swamp Monster Voodoo was very amusing with a clever twist. Vampire Caving was a more serious story than the other two, but an interesting one. This vampire wants to know how his kind came to be and since he is immortal, he has a long time to search for the answers. This is not your average vampire tale. The narrators for all three were well chosen. There were little bits of music at the beginning of each story and while I don't usually like music or sound effects in audio books, it seemed to fit this group of stories well and I didn't mind it.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

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Title: Ghost Moon Night

Author: Jewel Allen

Narrator: Keith Michaelson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-23-15

Publisher: Treasured Stories

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

It was whispered years ago that when a pirate cursed a Philippine village with langbuan, or flying undead, a boy received a secret that would protect him from certain death. But even armed with a secret, can anyone survive the undead for long?

Seventeen-year-old Antonio Pulido has never known a time when the langbuan didn't roam the streets every Ghost Moon Night, killing anyone in their path. He works hard to protect his family and the girl he loves from the deadly attacks, but he wants them stopped once and for all. Can Antonio uncover the decades-old secret, and will it help him defeat the langbuan? Or will Ghost Moon Night come again and take someone he truly cares about? It falls on Antonio to save his village, but time is running out. The next Ghost Moon Night is nearly here, and Antonio knows this is his last chance to destroy the undead and end their reign of terror - or die trying.

Members Reviews:

Good intense book my boys loved listening

I loved the characters, and how you can relate to them. My three boys really enjoyed listening to this too. They were ages 14 12 and 10. Loved it

Ghost moon night

First of all Keith michaelson.was fantastic. With a full range of character made the book spooky as heck.

I will recommend this book and narrator to my friends and family.

Young man determined to find his own way in world.

What did you like best about Ghost Moon Night? What did you like least?

I really liked the creation of the beliefs, spirits, and curses here in the village. It was alive and felt real.

This book was on the slow side for me as a listener. I think because it's of a middle school grade and easier for younger readers to follow and enjoy. For that, it's wonderful for young readers. There is no violence, other than the langbaun who terrorize and cause deaths, and there are no over intimate moments either. It's just right to trust with young readers.

What about Keith Michaelsons performance did you like?

Keith shows his talent in vocals in this story. He's added an echo type feel to when the langbuan are talking. He's done different tones and personalities in voices to know character to character who is talking. Keith does a wonderful job of pronouncing many of the local words in this story. He speaks them in their sentence as if they roll off his tongue on a regular bases.

Any additional comments?

We all have those tendencies to do something that's not right, but what do you do with the knowledge after you've done it? Or learned of how things are far worse than you expected? This book is full of these moments as Antonio grows and sees more of the way of the world around him and what Antonio has to work through. Decisions and actions have repercussions.

This story is definitely for middle grade kids. I felt like it the direction of the book was of Antonio's life. The rights and wrongs he did and what he learned from them as he graduates from high school and works around his village. When we first meet Antonio he feels immature for graduation age, and expects more of the world. He knows what's right and wrong but gets caught up in worrying for his family. But, Antonio grows through the book. He seems to learn from his mistakes and becomes a better person for it.

great book

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com.

i really enjoyed this book.

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Title: Hell's Belles 2

Author: Alison Perry

Narrator: Rebecca Schwab

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-15-15

Publisher: Alison Perry

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

(This is part two in a serialized story. It's important to listen to part one in order for this audiobook to make sense. This is a biweekly story playing out over the Summer of 2015. Happy listening!)

Emma Ayers has lived a lifetime's worth of intrigue in less than a week. Now that she has been introduced to the mystical realm of the Belles, she has to sort out what her purpose is in the midst of her new world.

Part of that new world is Bronwyn Hall, a posh academy for Charleston's elite young women that holds as many secrets as the mansion Emma now calls home. Bronwyn is a place where the Belles aren't the only ones who have their own set of rules.

What happens when powers collide in a world where who is good and who is bad is as muddy as the marshes of the Lowcountry itself?

Members Reviews:

Book 2

Any additional comments?

Great book 2 My questions with the story from book 1 were totally resolved with this tailwind of a sequel The overall story is also taking the readers/ listeners to a darker turn. Book 3 next.

Power Reveals

Hell's Belles Book Two continues with Emma discovering her power. More of the Hell's Belles past are reveal.

Emma also met an ex-Hell's Belle who has a grudge against the Hell's Belles at the first day attending Bronwyn Hall, a posh academy for Charleston's elite young women. However Emma is still in the dark. She hasn't figure out what role does she played as a Hell's Belles.

Rebecca Schwab continues as the narrator for Hell's Belles Book Two. She continued her narration with the same performance as she did with the first book.

I was given this audiobook by the author via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influence in any way for writing this review.

intriguing

Great story line love the historic references. I read all three in the series in two days. If your not a believer of people living for ever this will change your outlook. I am a firm believer in the healing powers of mother earth and the roots around us.

I received this free from the author for an honest review.

Way too short

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book needs more content.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would answer some of the questions the charactor has.

What about Rebecca Schwabs performance did you like?

Clear concise and read at the proper speed.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No,

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Title: Benjamin Franklin: Huge Pain in My...

Author: Adam Mansbach, Alan Zweibel

Narrator: Nick Podehl, Tom Parks, Lauren Ezzo

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-15

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Dear Mr. Franklin,

First of all, let me just say that this Assignment is Stupid. You are Dead. Why am I writing a letter to Some dead guy I've never even met?

This is the start to a most unlikely pen pal relationship between thirteen-year-old Franklin Isaac Saturday (Ike) and Benjamin Franklin. Before the fateful extra credit assignment that started it all, Ike's life was pretty normal. He was avoiding the popularity contests of middle school, crushing hard on Claire Wanzandae and trying not roll his eyes at his stepfather, Dirk-the-Jerk's lame jokes.

But all that changes when, in a successful effort to make Claire Wanzandae laugh, Ike mails his homework assignment to Ben Franklin...and he writes back. Soon, things go awry. After Ike has an embarrassing moment of epic proportions in front of Claire involving a playground, non-alcoholic beer, and a lot of kettle corn, Ike decides he needs to find a way to win Claire back. With some help from his new friend, B-Fizzle, can Ike get the girl and make his mark in history?

Members Reviews:

Five Stars

My daughter gobbled this one up!

Three Stars

Very humorous but ended abruptly way too short. Not worth the money

Two great minds, one great book

Phenomenal! Two great minds, one great book.

Not for kids!!! Shame on Disney!!!

Chapter 1: "According to Ryan, though, everybody gets drunk on Jungle Juice now and it's rad."..."...makes chicks lose control". I got this book for my daughter in a section that said 7-12 year old. My daughter is only 7 but an advanced reader so I flipped through some parts and thought it was ok. I expected sarcasm, stupid kid humor, etc but I did NOT expect to teach any child from the age of 7 or even 12 years old how to make jungle juice to get drunk and hide it from you parents because "it makes kids girls lose control"!!!! I'm not the least bit a prude but what the heck was Disney thinking!?! My daughter read the first few pages out loud to me and I was shocked. Sure, funny for a later teenager or young adult but I wouldn't want her reading it at 12.

Don't buy this book

Do not buy this book! For ages 10 & up or 8 & up depending on where you look yet in the first few pages talks about sneaking your parents alcohol and making jungle juice (a little bit of everything so your parents don't notice). Thought it would be a funny story with a bit of history not instructions on how to lie, sneak and drink.

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Title: The Copper Gauntlet: Magisterium, Book 2

Author: Cassandra Clare, Holly Black

Narrator: Paul Boehmer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-03-15

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Think you know magic? Think again....

The new story in the powerful fantasy series from global best-selling authors Cassandra Clare and Holly Black.

Callum Hunts summer break isnt like other kids. His closest companion is a Chaos-ridden wolf, Havoc. His father suspects him of being secretly evil. And, of course, most kids arent heading back to school in the magical world of the Magisterium....

Its not easy for Call...and it gets even harder after he checks out his basement and discovers that his dad might be trying to destroy both him and Havoc.

Call escapes to the Magisterium but things only intensify there. The Alkahest - a copper gauntlet capable of separating certain magicians from their magic - has been stolen. And in their search to discover the culprit, Call and his friends awaken the attention of some very dangerous foes - and get closer to an even more dangerous truth.

As the mysteries of the Magisterium deepen and widen, best-selling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare take listeners on an extraordinary journey through one boys conflict and a whole worlds fate.

Members Reviews:

preferred The Infernal Devices

it was ok but I preferred The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices storyline better will probably finish the series unless I find something better in.

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Title: Super Nobody

Subtitle: Alphas and Omegas, Book 1

Author: Brent Meske

Narrator: Matt Haynes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-10-15

Publisher: Brent Meske

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Michael is just an ordinary, average, normal, everyday middle schooler in the perfect town of Lincolnshire, a town that happens to have more superheroes per square mile than anywhere else on the planet. What could possibly go wrong, surrounded by so many people capable of destroying the town with a snap of their fingers?

Members Reviews:

Great debut book...

Where does Super Nobody rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

I would place Super Nobody in the middle rankings of others I have listened to before. This is Brent Meske's first self-published novel. I do expect the other books in the series to rank higher as the story grows.

Have you listened to any of Matt Hayness other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not. Matt's performance was not bad at all. I do believe that he could have done better. I noticed that during coversations between characters, he put little emotion into the speech of the characters. Matt also seemed to rush through some parts he read. Overall, it was a good and entertaining narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had a bigger reaction the last half of the book. The first half seemed rushed in the story. The build up of the main character was a little hard to follow as the author seemed to want to hurry up and get to the good stuff, and good stuff there is. The last half had be riveted to the speakers in my car.

Any additional comments?

Over all I though this book was great. As it being a break out novel, there are little things in the writing and narration that can easily be fixed and they do not detract from the enjoyment. I am expecting great things from the rest of this series. I think there are 6 books in it, but could be off.

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Title: Seed

Author: Lisa Heathfield

Narrator: Avita Jay

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-15

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

All that Pearl knows can be encapsulated in one word: seed. It is the isolated community that she was born into. It is the land that she sows and reaps. It is the center of her family and everything that means home. And it is all kept under the watchful eye of Papa S.

At 15 years old, Pearl is finally old enough to be chosen as Papa S.' companion. She feels excitement... and surprising trepidation that she cannot explain. The arrival of a new family into the Seed community - particularly the teenage son, Ellis - only complicates the life and lifestyle that Pearl has depended upon as safe and constant.

Ellis is compelling, charming, and worldly, and he seems to have a lot of answers to questions Pearl has never thought to ask. But as Pearl digs to the roots of the truth, only she can decide what she will allow to come to the surface.

Lisa Heathfield's suspenseful, scintillating debut features a compelling voice that combines blithe naiveté, keen observation, and sincere emotion.

Members Reviews:

Beautiful and Haunting!

This book was amazing! It is about a group of people that live together in Seed, a close knit cult family governed by their leader Papa S. One young girl, Pearl, is promised to be his "companion" now that she is of age. A new family moves into Seed, and Pearl falls for a young man from the outside and starts questioning the only home and family she has ever known. It was really interesting and very emotional. I felt very sad for the group members for the different abuse and scare tactics Papa S and his other elders bestowed upon them. It makes you really think about how cults are formed and why people choose to stay instead of finding a way out. I really enjoyed the book, but was a bit shocked and disappointed at the ending. I really liked most of the main characters. The book was this big buildup to the climax at the end, which fell flat and was rushed in a couple of pages. I did not like what happened with Ellis after everything they had gone through and the relationship with him and Pearl. But aside from the rushed ending, I really enjoyed this book.

The style of writing is perfect. As the plot builds

The book is written in a musical, quiet sort of way. The style of writing is perfect. As the plot builds, and as we discover the insidious society in which young Pearl lives, we too are trapped. It is only through the introduction of a young man who questions everything, that Pearl can bring herself to look closely at the world in which she lives. This book written for the YA audience is actually a page turning story for all ages. Highly recommended.

While I love the concept of this

While I love the concept of this, but the beginning and the end didn't feel like an actual beginning and end.

Hypnotizing

I could not put this down. Compelling and chilling at the same time. Perfect book for spring, when you can read under an open window.

I hope she writes a sequel :)

A really engaging page turner with an endearing protagonist. I have read 90% and cannot wait to find out what happens in the last 10%. This book is classified in the teenage figure genre, but I am an adult who has thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend it.

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Title: Not So Easy

Subtitle: Souls in Peril, Book 1

Author: Sherry Gammon

Narrator: Ryan Shaughnessy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-16-15

Publisher: Word paintings Unlimited and Sherry Gammon

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Not So Easy, from best-selling author Sherry Gammon

Senior Max Sanchez has it all.

He's the star pitcher for Port Fare High's baseball team. He's dating the head cheerleader, Emma McKay, and he has a great group of friends.

Junior JD Miller's life is Not So Easy.

Unlike Max, JD struggles with making friends. He's a social misfit, and he's being bullied at every turn. He's also barely surviving.

A tragic accident changes everything, merging their lives together, and Max soon learns that life is not so easy for everyone. Max works to the point of exhaustion trying to help JD survive the chaos that is his life, and his eyes are opened to a world he had no idea even existed.

Not So Easy is a story of hope, surviving, and never giving up.

Not So Easy is part of the Souls in Peril series.

Members Reviews:

MAKE THIS REQUIRED READING

I have a compulsion when it comes to writing reviews where I need to write it the second I finish it...I was up until 2am finishing this astonishing, compelling, and moving novel. Despite the crazy hour, I NEEDED to take the time to write the review while this story and its characters were still fresh in my mind.

First, a brief note on bullying and my own personal experiences going into reading this novel. Bullying is something I've never been able to tolerate, luckily in school I wasn't bullied nor did I witness it on any great level. In addition, I had a strong group of friends that made it easy for me to ignore anything that might be said about me behind my back, and there were things said, but nothing that left emotional scarring as with JD and Izzy. In high school I sat at a lunch table full of what I affectionately nicknamed my fellow orphan chairs. My mom (an avid antique collector) decorates with only antiques and all of the chairs in her house are different, unique, but all equally beautiful. She calls them orphan chairs. My friends in high school, especially those I spent lunch with were like those chairs. All different, each beautiful in their own way. And that's what this book reminded me of. My first day of high school I picked an empty table in the lunch room to sit at by myself. Towards the end of the lunch period, a few guys from the freshman football team came over and talked to me, inviting me to sit with them from then on. It was their kindness, and kindness of others like theirs, that propelled me through those tough four years of trying to find myself without losing myself to the constant pressure that always lingers in a high school setting. I could go on and on, but what it comes down to is that this book really grabbed hold of my soul in more ways than one. I was transported back to my own high school years and then some.

With that in mind, this novel is not for the faint of heart. JD and Izzy were not as lucky, nor were they easily excepted, at least not for a long time. They had hard lives and struggled endlessly with bullying in nearly every aspect of their lives. As Ms. Gammon states in the end of the novel, these are extreme cases of bullying and not all of those who are bullied or those who do bully come from these types of home environments, but the truth remains...it does happen. So rarely do people consider how much deeper the pain is in others than what appears on the surface.