Book Review: I Swear by Lane Davis

SUMMARY: Who’s to blame when bullying leads to suicide? A gripping exploration of crucial importance seeks answers in and out of the courtroom.

After years of abuse from her classmates, Leslie Gatlin decided she had no other options and took her own life. Now her abusers are dealing with the fallout.

When Leslie's parents file a wrongful death lawsuit against their daughter's tormenters, the proceedings uncover the systematic cyber bullying and harassment that occurred. The ringleader of the accused girls, Macie, maintains they are innocent. In her mind, Leslie chose be the coward they always knew she was.

Jillian, Katherine, and Beth try to keep their stories straight and shift the blame, as Jake, Leslie's only true friend, tries to make sense of what happened. As the events leading up to her death unfold, it becomes clear that Leslie may have taken her own life, but her bullies took everything else.

Told in alternating perspectives and through well-paced flashbacks, this timely novel sheds light on both the victims of bullying and the consequences bullies face.


OPINION:

Gripping and visceral, I Swear is a phenomenal tale of not only just how much being bullied can hurt, but the ramifications for those who had a hand in the bullying. Though there is certainly a central player in the bully ring with this one, there are several people involved and Davis dose a remarkable job of not only tying that together and not easily placing solitary blame, but also portraying the different views towards the events. With stunning characterization across the board, from the POVs we do get to who Leslie is and even Macie, I Swear is an unconventional but powerful take on bullying.

This one expertly alternates between four separate perspectives, including three people closely involved in everything that led to Leslie’s death and Jake, the boy who wanted to help her and saw past what everyone else did. There is a raw honesty particularly in Jake and Beth’s perspectives, with a give and take between the two that adds a deep intensity to the book. Beth, a girl with some big goals she’s set to achieve and a few secrets of her own she is determined to hide, battles against Jake, a boy who is just the right amount of sensitive but who also doesn’t make excuses for those he holds responsible. While I am glad to get to know all four characters we did, and the book certainly would’ve been very different without them, Jake and Beth stood out the most, not only for how starkly their two stories contrasted but also due to the depth of their emotions. The way each person’s story not only stands on its own but weaves with the others takes this book to some great levels, and definitely sets it apart.

Macie is infuriating, the perfect queen bee, so to speak, who seems to play a hand in everything yet keeps herself flawless and untouchable. She’s the one major character who’s perspective we don’t get, and here, I think it’s a good thing. Her true personality comes through the other’s eyes easily enough, and even her motivations for everything are depicted in a way that makes you understand her, even if you don’t agree or excuse. This, coupled with the way the others view towards everything and even the various levels of their own guilt, makes for an intricate look at how one targeted person can be so unable to escape the bullying.

There is a big legal component to this book, a devastated family looking for justice and some scared teens trying to avoid it. This is where this book really got me, twisting me in so many different ways. Davis artfully challenges readers to see both sides of things, from the devastated family seeking justice to the scared teens trying to avoid it. The full depth of what Leslie endured comes out as the story progresses, however, testing both the characters and readers more. With some deeply moving and visceral scenes, and a constant sense of pain and loss, this one is affecting and amazing. I Swear is without a doubt a book to make you think, and will challenge you.

Details: 

Source: ARC won from contest 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 288 pages 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 4, 2012

Character Interview: Will from Stealing Parker

I am so excited to have Will, AKA Corndog, from Miranda Kenneally's second book Stealing Parker dropping in today for an interview!


Describe yourself in three words.

Frank, loyal, likes-cuddling. (Can likes-cuddling be one word? I think so.)

When you found out about Parker and Coach Brian, what was your first reaction and thoughts?

I wanted to break the trophy case and throw trophies on the floor and stomp on them. I felt betrayed and confused, but I also felt like I should've known better than to get too attached to Parker when she was so confused in her own life.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

Jumped off a bridge into the Cumberland River. Naked.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxer briefs. Playing sports is hard in boxers.

What's the best kiss you ever had?

You'll have to wait for Miranda Kenneally's third book to read about it, but it's with Parker. We sneak away to kiss in the dark at the summer camp we're working at, and it's definitely against the rules, but I don't think either of us care. Kissing Parker is so worth getting in trouble/fired.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

A Deinonychus. They were thought to be smart, strategic thinkers, and I spend a lot of time thinking about my friends, family, and the things around me.


Thank you, Will, for dropping in, and congrats, Miranda, on the release!

If you haven't picked up Stealing Parker yet, or Miranda's debut Catching Jordan, make sure you do! They are fast, fun, and hot reads that I totally recommend.

Forget Me Not Ghost Tour: Meet the Characters

To celebrate the recent release of her newest novel Forget Me Not, I've got Carolee Dean here to introduce the characters from this book, as well as bring you the chance to win a copy of the book and a raven feather bookmark!


FORGET ME NOT is a paranormal verse novel about a young girl, Ally Cassell, who makes a rash and desperate decision after compromising photos are texted around the school. She soon finds her soul is trapped on the H-Hall of Raven Valley High School surrounded by ghosts. The only way she can get off the hallway and have a chance of returning to her body is if someone will leave a door open, but she’s not sure if there’s anyone left who cares enough to take the risk.

Even if they did care, how would anyone know where she was?

There is one person who can help. Elijah McCall understands the hallway all too well. He spent three days there when he took a bottle of sleeping pills. He’s loved Ally for years. But is there still time to save her or is she too far gone?


Here’s an excerpt from the book, a cinquain chain of poems describing Ally, Elijah, and the ghosts of the H-hall:

Cast of Characters:

Ally

afraid, alone

hurting, hiding, biding

never can go back

me

Sister

timid, guarded

sitting, knitting, praying

quiet girl in black

nun

Rotceo

hungry, unsatisfied

holding, kissing, groping

always gets his way

loverboy

Julie Ann

trapped, bored

forgetting, conceding, letting

she never gets away

girlfriend

Hangman

dark, dangerous

playing, plotting, punishing

ruler of the hall

demon

And a cameo appearance by:

Elijah

brave, bold

knowing, helping, showing

he risks it all

friend

To win an autographed copy of the book along with this raven feather bookmark and other unique prizes, check out Ghost Tour Central and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway found there! Also found there are links to the other tour stops such as the interview with Ernest Hemingway, the ghost hunter video, the raven trivia challenge, and more. And of course, make sure you check out the book trailer, found here.

Author Interview: Janet Gurtler

To celebrate the release of her third book, Janet Gurtler is here today to talk about writing, sea creatures, and more!


With Who I Kissed being your third published book, how has the writing and revision process changed from when you I'm Not Her?

Well, hopefully I am learning about craft along the way. I don’t know that the process has changed that much except I think my first drafts are more drawn out. I find that with a 3 book contract, which I was lucky enough to sign with Sourcebooks, that I need to write faster and revise faster. I kind of like deadlines though. I function better when I have a deadline to meet. Hectic but motivating!

Which character in Who I Kissed was the hardest for you to write and develop? Have they been the hardest of all your characters to date?

It was hard for me to develop the character of Alex. Though he dies in the opening (which isn’t a spoiler) I still had to show him as a person which I did through television interviews and through the eyes of other characters. A friend of mine actually lost a son who was a little younger than Alex, but it was pretty harrowing to make myself go to that place in my head. I felt really bad for all that Alex might have been but couldn’t be. I think as a mother the thought of losing a child is about as hard as it can get. I do NOT allow my head to go there with my own child.Alex’s mom and Alex were probably the most difficult characters I have written to date. Actually there was one other character, a girl in WAITING TO SCORE, which I published under a pseudonym in 2009. Her name was Mona and she completely broke my heart.

If you could pair Samantha with any character in any book, who would it be?

As friends, I would love her to hang out with Ashley from IF I TELL. Ashley was a swimmer in IF I TELL (and she actually swam on the same team as Sam!) I think they would be great friends. Both kind, nice people who are super dedicated to the sport of swimming.

What kind of sea creature would you describe yourself as? 

An oyster. Sometimes I close myself off from the world, but inside I am turning things into sparkly jewels.

Character Interview + Contest: Trevor from Pivot Point

I am so excited to have Trevor, one of the seriously hot and melty boys from Kasie West's 2013 debut Pivot Point here today to answer some questions, and give away an ARC of this book! I loved this one, and totally devoured it as fast as possible, and couldn't stop thinking about it for days. Trust me when I say you want this one! So let's meet Trevor and get on with it!


Describe yourself in three words.

Um... my mom says I'm too laid-back. I think that's her nice way of saying I'm always late. So two more? Unorganized. Private.

When Addison told you about her ability, what was going through your head?

At first I thought she was trying to be funny. But then I thought, impossible. It didn't make sense. I like things to make sense. Everything about her from the way she smiles to how she bites her lower lip when she's nervous always made sense to me. So I was trying to put together what I knew about her with what she was saying. It just took a minute.

If you hadn't of been injured, and quit football, do you think you would've noticed Addison when she showed up at your school? 

Absolutely. I'd notice her anywhere.

What about football do you miss the most?

The team. Being part of something where everyone is working toward a goal. We won together. We lost together. You can't be part of that from the outside.

What's your favorite part of Addison to draw?

Her hair. She has great hair.

What's it like to kiss Addison?

I don't kiss and tell. Wait, does she? Has she been talking about us kissing? What did she say?

Boxers or briefs?

This interview is getting a bit personal......boxers.

What kind of sea creature would you describe yourself as?

Sea creature? Where's Addison? She's the one who's good with metaphors or symbolism or whatever the deeper meaning of this question is.


Thank you, Trevor, for stopping in! Seriously, guys, I love this boy. And he is so in my Boy Closet.

But since I want everyone to read this book, here's your chance to win an ARC!

To enter, just fill out THIS form!

This contest is US Only and ends November 9. No entries will be accepted through the comments, but you know you want to leave one regardless.

Book Review: Burning Blue by Paul Griffin

SUMMARY: How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

When Nicole Castro, the most beautiful girl in her wealthy New Jersey high school, is splashed with acid on the left side of her perfect face, the whole world takes notice. But quiet loner Jay Nazarro does more than that--he decides to find out who did it. Jay understands how it feels to be treated like a freak, and he also has a secret: He's a brilliant hacker. But the deeper he digs, the more danger he's in--and the more he falls for Nicole. Too bad everyone is turning into a suspect, including Nicole herself.

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty.


OPINION:

Engaging from the start and a perfect mix of emotional and thrilling, Burning Blue weaves both a who done it kind of plot in with an across the tracks sort of romance. With a quietly charming protagonist and some very lively side characters, Griffin ha built a realistic tale centered around his characters while still having plenty of story behind it. Pulling in some great elements, and most definitely keeping readers guessing, this is a smart, well designed mystery.

Jay is an amazing character, a guy who is a loner by choice yet also, to some extent, by circumstance. Suffering from seizures, and having had an especially embarrassing one from of the whole school, he tends to keep a distance, even when he’s being friendly on the outside. Though not particularly ambitious, Jay is intelligent and perceptive, and has taught himself how to hack into almost anything. Definitely a useful skill to have, especially as he starts digging into Nicole’s case, it also gives him plenty to want to hide. Charmingly awkward at times, but endearingly determined at others, Jay has an authentic not to him that will have readers swooning.

The cast of this one is relatively large, pulling in not only Nicole and Jay’s parents but some of her friends, and a few other key people as well. While some have stronger presences than others, Griffin has crafted each of them individually, making them stand out and be more than a space filler. With a stark honesty to them, and Jay’s individual perception of each mixed in, Griffin doesn’t slack on the people he puts in the book.

There is definitely a romantic element to this one, built smoothly into the overall plot and never coming off as forced. Though Nicole has a boyfriend when she’s burned, and he’s even around for a bit after, it’s clear there is something forming between Jay and Nicole. While Nicole’s ex flits in and out, and is a suspect from the start, he doesn’t seem to put up too much of a fight over his girlfriend hanging out with another guy. Still, even with the issues, Nicole and Jay form a strong friendship that also develops into more, with a tension between them that is subtle yet effective.

This one has a twisty plot, one that will leave readers guessing and enthralled. With some stellar left hooks and plenty of turns, Burning Blue has a great mix of danger, softness, and action. Peppering little clues throughout, but having many of them seem totally inert until everything falls into place at just the right moment, Griffin has crafted his mystery beautifully, and in a way that lets readers guess at least some stuff without giving everything away too soon. Pulling in a strong emotional element as well, Burning Blue will entice readers from the start. Add in the bold writing, and strong voice, and this one is a hit that should not be missed.

 Details: 

Source: TLA 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 288 pages 

Publisher: Dial 

 Publication Date: October 25, 2012