Title: If I TellAuthor: Janet GurtlerRelease Date: October 1, 2011Publisher: Sourcebooks FireJasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?
Janet Gurtler is a phenomenal writer of Young Adult contemporary fiction. Her book I'm Not Her was a very realistic portrayal of life with cancer. If I Tell delves into so many topics it almost sounds like a soap opera: teen pregnancy, homosexuality, biracial issues, depression, betrayal, teen drinking & drugs, romance, secrets... However the novel is not soap opera like at all, it has a very realistic feel to it.
The characters are quirky, likable and easy to relate to in this coming of age story. Valuable lessons about trust, choices and rising above difficulties are taught. The subjects dealt with in this book are not light and fluffy but I didn't find anything to be over descriptive.
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book
Content: a little bit of just about everything but not enough of anything to make me quit reading.
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler:“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.
I'm Not Her is a touching, emotional story that I enjoyed. It seemed like a realistic portrayal of how cancer can effect not only the person who has it but their family and friends as well.
There is a great cast of complex characters in this story, all of whom I cared about. This was not a depressing book to read but it was emotional. Just when it seemed like things were looking up for Kristina were thrown a devastating twist that I didn't see coming.
A book I would recommend to those who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction.
Rating: 4 Stars
Content: language, teen sex is mentioned but there is no sex scene
Source: Blog Tour
Welcome to author Janet Gurtler.
Bio:Janet lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and the sweet memories of a little dog named Meeko. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.Janet is here doing an author Interview with Book Line Answers - which means Janet had to find answers to my interview questions from lines in the book I'm Not Her.
Janet's Blog:
http://janetgurtler.blogspot.com/For all the Teen Book Scene Tour Stops please visit
THIS SITE.
Book Line Interview:If you were a superhero what would your name be? Superman much?
What's your favourite food? Prize winning chocolate cake
What is your favorite Quote? “I guess sometimes things happen for a reason, right?”
How do you react to a bad review? ”I want sedatives too, handfuls actually but no one is going to hand any to me.” “I squirm but force myself to keep quiet.”
What do you do in your free time? I’m book binging.
Okay. This was really HARD! Lots of fun, but really hard!!!
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler:“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.
THanks for the review, I really like that this book handles the biracial topic. My siblings are halfsies and they looked so lost for the first decade or so.
Thanks!
Omg That sounds soo amazing. Awesome Review btw. Defo have to see if it's out in UK Stores.
Kerry-Ann xx