In Between - Jenny B. Jones

 

As taken from the books back cover:

"Katie Parker knows life isn't fair.  After all, when your mom's in jail and your dad's a no-show, you figure things just aren't going your way.  But hey, she can deal.  Then she finds out she's being sent to live with a foster family - in In Between, Texas.

What kind of town has a name like In Between?  And what kind of family wants a kid like her?  One thing's for certain:  None of this will be good.  Sure enough -- thanks to some new "friends" and her nonMom's crazed mother, Mad Maxine - life sails right past bad to stinking.

Then again, she's just a temporary kid, they're just temporary parents, and she definitely doesn't have any ideas about making any of this permanent.  God, on the other hand, may have other plans altogether."

My thoughts on the book...

Let's start out by stating:  This book is "Act 1" of the "Katie Parker Production" series.  My suggestion?  Buy Acts 2 and 3.  Right now...before you go any further.  It's OK, I'll wait right here for you!

I cannot tell you enough how much I loved this book!  Although it is categorized as "Teen Fiction/Contemporary", I would highly recommend this series for adults also.  

Jones does an excellent job of drawing the reader in and extracting a wide range of emotions from you.  There are times where you will find yourself routing for Katie, cheering her on.  Whether it is her wild adventures with Crazy Maxine, or her misadventures in the science lab, you will find yourself acting as her biggest cheerleader.  Other times, you will need to remind yourself, she is still just a child, and she has a lot of growing up yet to do.  She doesn't always make the wisest decisions, but she is trying, with little adult guidance up to this point.

James and Millie Scott turn out to be great foster parents, but not what Katie was expecting.  First of all, James is a pastor, and Katie's interaction with God has been very limited.  Millie seems to have it all together even though she seems to be hiding a secret.  

Can things work out for Katie in In Between, or will she be sent packing back to Sunny Haven Home for Girls?

I give this book 5 stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."