Read Between the Lines

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 1, 2015

Review

2015 YA novel that follows different teens throughout one day as they navigate the challenging, angst-filled world of being an adolescent. The cover drew me in (as I think it will do for many teens) as it speaks to that old expression, "read between the lines" and then you hold up three fingers with the offensive middle finger in the middle. The book uses the middle finger and all of its implications in different, sometimes unexpected, ways in each story, so that is the unifier. As I finished the book, I found myself wanting more, more stories from the students and the adults found on the pages of Knowles's book. This book perfectly captures the heartbreak and confusion of being a teenager, and it forces the reader to look more deeply into the stereotypes seemingly presented on the page. It is well-written and so engaging that you can't put it down. Recommend this book to readers of Gae Polisner, Sarah Dessen, Gayle Forman, or John Green. With the topic of flipping someone the finger, and for many sexual references, it is definitely meant for 10th grade and up, and is a fantastic addition for any YA collection. It would also be a good YA book group or class discussion book.

Overall Book Score: very good