Author: Jo Knowles
Published: Henry Holt, 2011
Source: Banned Book Tours
Bean (née Pearl) and Henry, misfits and best friends, have the strangest mothers in town. Henry’s mom Sally never leaves the house. Bean’s mom Lexie, if she is home, is likely nursing a hangover or venting to her friend Claire about Bean’s beloved grandfather Gus, the third member of their sunny household. Gus’s death unleashes a host of family secrets that brings them all together. And they threaten to change everything—including Bean’s relationship with Henry, her first friend, and who also might turn out to be her first love.
I'll admit, this book was nothing like what I thought it was going to be. It was definitely contemporary fiction, which I don't care too much for, but it was short enough for me to tackle. It seemed like the entire book took place in the span of a few days. First we get to know Bean, who we immediately find out isn't wanted. And by not wanted, I mean she shouldn't have been born. You find out in just the first couple of pages how much her mom doesn't care about her and how Gus tries to get Bean's mom to straighten up.
This will be a short review, because it was a short book and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I didn't enjoy it much, but I can blame that on the genre. I think people who like contemporary YA should give Pearl a read though.
A special thanks to Jen from I Read Banned Books for letting me be a part of one of her book tours!!
Haven't gotten to this one yet, but I'm going to have to get you reading some really stellar Contemporary! :) Just you wait till I get some recs to you! :P
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one and I honestly do not know much about it, but the whole "not wanted" and "shouldn't have been born" thing is so sad!
ReplyDeleteI am not all that into contemporary fiction (yet), but for me it is just because I don't think I have that much exposure to it. The lovely Ashley (see above comment) is doing a phenom job in working her way to making me love the contemps.
~Asheley
This isn't one of my fave genres either. I may pass on this one. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be noted that I read a few contemp. books recently that I thought were AWESOME. If you get the chance, check out Stand By Me, The Probability of Miracles, and Going Underground. A-Mazing. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!
ReplyDeleteJen