Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book

August 23, 2010
Between struggling with ADHD and coping with her bipolar mother's "In-Bed" and "No-Bed" phases, 15-year-old Jessie has plenty on her plate. Her chaotic life takes an unexpected turn when her father, whom she thought was dead, enters her life. Her mother responds by swallowing pills, forcing Jessie to accept her father as temporary guardian and return with him to his Florida home. There, Jessie experiences responsible parental supervision, learns strategies for managing her ADHD, meets her jealous younger sister, and encounters her father's faith—a blend of Christianity and 12-step programs, which helped save him from his "demons." A supernatural element weaves seamlessly into the narrative when Jessie discovers a "strange book" about a healer named Yeshua (the stories are based on scripture, named in an appended list). Despite her reading problems, Jessie can easily decipher and relate to the book's colloquial tone. Sympathetic supporting characters, along with Jessie's self-deprecating humor and emotional vulnerability, lend Rue's (the Faithgirlz Lily, Sophie, and Lily series) first offering in the Real Life series depth and tenderness. Also available: Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble. Ages 13–16.

August 1, 2010

Gr 7-10-Jessie, 15, has just received a phone call from her dad whom she has never met and believed was dead. She is transplanted in Florida to live with him after her bipolar mother's suicide attempt. Jessie suffers from ADHD, doesn't get along with her new stepsister, and isn't sure of the intentions of a guy she meets. Jessie's father attempts to bring more structure to her life through his biker friends and working at his sushi restaurant. He is patient and understanding, unlike her mother, which helps change Jessie's perspective on life. The turning point comes when she finds a book that gives her insight and examples from Jesus's life. Christian readers will appreciate the references to scripture and the theme "Seek and you shall find." Jessie is a likable character, but does she really not recognize "Yeshua" as Jesus? Because of this lack of recognition, can she really be transformed so quickly? Predictable at times, the story will not draw a large audience. It does, however, make a strong statement for reading and understanding the Bible and its teachings.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2010
Grades 7-10 Jessie thought her father died before her birth, but after her mother is hospitalized for her bipolar disorder, she realizes that not only is he alive and well but that she is being sent to live with him in Florida. As angry as she is to be stripped of her familiar friends and freedoms, Jessie finds safety and structure in Florida, as well as a special book, a contemporary version of the New Testament, that changes her perspective on life. Rue creates likable, believable characters who are coping with lifes challenges: Jessie with ADHD, her mother with mental illness, her father with alcoholism, and her little half sister with jealousy over Jessies growing relationship with their father. Jessies dads intriguing motorcycle shopsushi bar offers her the opportunity to earn money and learn the art of sushi making. As hard as she tries, she cant hate her good fortune, a good fortune that she slowly realizes is a gift from God, enabled through her father and his powerful faith.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)