Jo Knowles is the author of JUMPING OFF SWINGS and wow, does Jo tackle the tough subjects or what!? LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL was her first novel and it was almost difficult for me to read in parts it was so painful. But I think she has a gift - it takes a special something to write about tough subjects in a way that is honest and real. And Jo obviously has that special something.
JUMPING OFF SWINGS is told from the point of view of four teens, four friends. How one night and the aftermath affects their four lives is played out in the book, and we get to know each of the four characters (Ellie, Corinne, Josh and Caleb) so well, they start to feel like friends of ours. And as a result, the pain they feel becomes our own. I was sitting in my car in the parking lot, while my son was at an appointment, as I read the last quarter of the book, and I cried and cried.
It's SO well-written, the dialogue real, the pacing superb... I could go on and on. I can see this being a great book for teen book clubs and literature circles. It tackles teen pregnancy in a way that speaks to us, just like 13 REASONS WHY tackles suicide in a way that speaks to us. I really think, and certainly hope, this book could see the kind of success 13 REASONS WHY has had.
JUMPING OFF SWINGS is released August 11, 2009 - check www.indiebound.org to find an independent bookstore near you, and ask them to order it!!
I just added that book to my "to-read" list. It sounds really good. Plus, I loved TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY. I was one of the first people to pick it up at my school, and now nearly all the Junior class has read it. Amazing story.
ReplyDeleteThis book was already on my TBR list and now I wanna read it even more. lol. I still have yet to read 13 Reasons Why though.
ReplyDelete~Briana