Free Book Friday - "In Between" by Jenny B. Jones
Jenny B. Jones' Katie Parker Production series is written with a Young Adult audience in mind, but don't let that deter you. As "free books" go (the Kindle edition is currently free on Amazon), this one is well worth reading! Originally released in 2007 by Think Books, In Between has been re-released several times by several different publishers. The most current release appears to be with Sweet Pea Productions.
Katie Parker has been uprooted from a rather unstable home with a drug-addicted mother. As the story opens, she is en route to her first foster home placement. Readers are treated to a first person perspective of Katie's introduction to her new foster parents, foray into a new school, exploration of relationships with several different potential groups of friends, awkward attempts to fit in, and many other 'firsts.' Katie's perspective is filled with self-deprecating humor, light-hearted banter, and occasional glimpses into her deep underlying insecurity.
Jenny B. Jones develops a lovable, quirky, relatable heroine in Katie and a delightful ensemble cast of characters, including stable (yet hurting) foster parents, an eccentric foster grandmother, and a sugar-sweet friend who is almost unbelievably perfect, but nearly impossible to dislike. (Wouldn't we all have wished for high school friends who were emotionally healthy, persistent, and forgiving?) She also tackles Katie's troubled past and natural skepticism about her new foster family, friends, and even God in a way which honors the inherent struggles of teens in foster care, but without delving deeper than parents would find appropriate for tween or teen readers.
If you have a tween or teen who eats though books like they're going out of style and are reluctant to set them free in the YA or adult section of the library, rest assured - this is a safe and fun read! While the novel was written for young adults, I found myself enjoying this book, giggling through sections and wincing through others as I remembered the joys of high school angst. I haven't read the rest of the series, but will be looking for the sequels. Adults who enjoy light-hearted, clean contemporary fiction will likely enjoy this novel, as well. I would highly recommend this as a summer or travel read - perfect for a plane, the pool, or the beach.
This book was listed on Amazon.com as a free e-book at the time the blog post was published. The price may change over time.