I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg SloanOn the library shelves: YA Fiction
AR Reading Level: 5.6
Recommended for: Grades 9+
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sam and Riddle Border have a seriously deadbeat father who moves them from place to place to stay ahead of the law. They don't attend school and are never allowed to make contact with anyone in the places they live. But when Sam sees Emily singing in the church choir, he feels something. Emily does too and she's certain she is going to find out who this mysterious stranger is.
Interestingly, the author is a screenwriter and I could definitely feel that influence in her writing. The book has a lot going on and I found it very easy to visualize the characters and the settings. Some things were a little far-fetched for me, but I could put it aside for the sake of the journey.
I really thought my heart might break the whole time I was reading this. What ensues in the relationships between the characters as the events unfold in this novel really stretched me emotionally. The book made me feel...anger, hope, and the power of the redemption. That's a good thing, but hang on for the ride!
Also reviewed by: Becky's Book Reviews ~ Book Nut ~ In the Pages
Source: Gift
2 comments:
When a book makes you feel that way, you know it's well written. This sounds like a winner!
I'd not thought about the whole screenwriter angle, but now that you mention it, I can see it.
I agree about the ride. It was a whopper of one. Glad you stuck it out.
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