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Katie Parker Productions #1
In Between
Unlike most kids, teenage Katie Parker never got a fair shot at a normal life. With a mother in jail and a missing-in-action dad, she's never known what it's like to truly be loved. Low on options and family members, she's soon shipped off to a foster home. Now in an unfamiliar town, Katie's rebellious attitude is at odds with her new family, school, and classmates. And after falling in with all the wrong people at school, things go from bad to really bad after she takes the blame for vandalizing the local performing arts theater.
But in the midst of a dark situation, Katie finds light in the most unexpected places: through her new friendship with an eccentric senior, the commitment of her foster family, and a tragic secret that changed them forever. And as she inches closer to acceptance and forgiveness, she finds that God has been there all along.
But in the midst of a dark situation, Katie finds light in the most unexpected places: through her new friendship with an eccentric senior, the commitment of her foster family, and a tragic secret that changed them forever. And as she inches closer to acceptance and forgiveness, she finds that God has been there all along.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2007
About the author
Jenny B. Jones
32 books2,153 followersFour-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. www.jennybjones.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 984 reviews
February 29, 2008
I haven’t laughed so hard from reading a book ever. Jenny B. Jones’ debut novel, In Between, is a hysterical read.
Katie Parker’s mom is in prison, and Katie is shipped off to live with pretend-o-parents, James and Millie Scott in the small town of In Between, Texas . When Katie discovers her new foster dad is a pastor, she dresses Goth for the first day of school, certain Millie won’t let her out of the house. Her plans backfire and Katie is not only forced to go to school with black fingernails, but ends up sitting at the Goth table at lunch, seeing as that’s where she looks to fit in.
Unfortunately, a couple of her new friends are not the best influence, and Katie unknowingly is recruited for a midnight vandalism jaunt to the local vintage theater. Katie is the only teen nabbed by the coppers, who take her down to the station and inform her that the Scotts are the owners of the theater. Humiliated, Katie waits for her foster parents to send her packing. They don’t, however, and Katie experiences some awesome tough love for the first time in her life.
Katie struggles to adapt to her new, strange world, which includes church, smart friends, a massive dog, and a crazy foster grandma who rides a bicycle built for two. She tries out for the school play and falls for a cute and troublesome senior guy. Her new friend doesn’t approve, foster granny doesn’t approve, but Katie’s of the opinion that what the Scott’s don’t know won’t hurt them. It’s a good thing God is watching out for Katie Parker, even though she doesn’t have a clue.
It’s one comical situation after another with Katie Parker, whose fun, sarcastic voice keeps you turning the pages so fast they catch fire. This is a must read for teen girls…and girls of any age! Looking forward to book two.
Highly recommended.
Katie Parker’s mom is in prison, and Katie is shipped off to live with pretend-o-parents, James and Millie Scott in the small town of In Between, Texas . When Katie discovers her new foster dad is a pastor, she dresses Goth for the first day of school, certain Millie won’t let her out of the house. Her plans backfire and Katie is not only forced to go to school with black fingernails, but ends up sitting at the Goth table at lunch, seeing as that’s where she looks to fit in.
Unfortunately, a couple of her new friends are not the best influence, and Katie unknowingly is recruited for a midnight vandalism jaunt to the local vintage theater. Katie is the only teen nabbed by the coppers, who take her down to the station and inform her that the Scotts are the owners of the theater. Humiliated, Katie waits for her foster parents to send her packing. They don’t, however, and Katie experiences some awesome tough love for the first time in her life.
Katie struggles to adapt to her new, strange world, which includes church, smart friends, a massive dog, and a crazy foster grandma who rides a bicycle built for two. She tries out for the school play and falls for a cute and troublesome senior guy. Her new friend doesn’t approve, foster granny doesn’t approve, but Katie’s of the opinion that what the Scott’s don’t know won’t hurt them. It’s a good thing God is watching out for Katie Parker, even though she doesn’t have a clue.
It’s one comical situation after another with Katie Parker, whose fun, sarcastic voice keeps you turning the pages so fast they catch fire. This is a must read for teen girls…and girls of any age! Looking forward to book two.
Highly recommended.
April 15, 2015
This book is enough to not only put you off religion but swear your allegiance to the devil.
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It's ridiculously annoying. I generally do enjoy Christian romance - I don't even mind some of the preachy types. But this book (albeit not preachy) is ANNOYING!! Because it tries too hard to be hip and funny with DUMB "JOKES".
Instead I wanted to invade that place and start an anti-Christ orgy fest.
Example - there's an incident relating to our heroine Katie being caught breaking into a theatre. However, she wasn't part of it and although it really was tragic, anyone could tell it wasn't something she endorsed or was part of.
However, the way Katie was going on and on feeling guilty and ashamed you'd think she was caught selling drugs to pre-schoolers. I've done far worse at aged 16 (including drugs and vandalism) and I don't have the excuse of absent parents, foster care or trailer parks. In fact I attended an expensive Church of England girls boarding school (in the UK we call it public schools rather than private FYI).
DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. SO DUMB IT HURTS.
Katie also appears to suffer contradictory emotions. I appreciate she's 16, full of angst, unsure of herself, insecure and feeling vulnerable - but her thought process was confusing. One minute she's desperate to leave her foster parents, immediately next she's concerned they wouldn't want her so she acts up (dresses like a goth) in order to hurry the inevitable (her being sent back to the care home), then she's on a mission to be the best foster daughter possible. However, that was the least annoying part.
The writing style is the worst (also that sanctimonious girl Frances (whom I wanted to punch). Seriously - if she's the face of Christian Youth I'm not surprised they're struggling to recruit).
FRANCES WAS ANNOYING!!
The writing style tries too hard to be "cute" - constantly trying to create funny moments - but it's naff.
JUST SHUT UP. YOU'RE STUPID.
Examples:
' "May be we could see Katie's bedroom?"
A light enters Millie Scott's eyes at Mrs Smartly's suggestion, and you can tell she thinks that's a great idea. My room had better not be upstairs. If I need to make a great escape, I don't know how I would get down. Let's be realistic. That bit of tying a bunch of sheets together can't possibly work in real life. "Girl falls to her death -insufficient thread count to blame." Plus I am not hoofing it up and down stairs all the time.
"If you'll follow me upstairs, I'll show you your room."
Sheesh, can't an underprivileged ward of the state ever catch a break?
At step number 260 (okay okay, it was step number seven) we are met by the largest dog I have ever seen in my life. I'm throwing mental daggers at Mrs Smartly. She said nothing about a dog. I don't like dogs. They slobber and they smell, and this one looks like a giant, mutant horse. '
So basically several paragraphs of mental diarrhoea must be endured just to climb up a flight of stairs and reach her bedroom. And it's like that throughout the book.
' "Take a seat sweetie, and I'll get you something to eat." Mrs Scott guides me to the breakfast nook table and puts silverware in front of me, "Did you sleep well."
Choosing to ignore her question, I barely hold onto a smart remark about my lack of sleep. First of all, I don't do mornings. And second of all, I don't function well on zero sleep. I just don't feel I'm at my best when I the bags under my eyes are beyond the power of foundation., concealer or spackle.
Mrs Scott brings me my breakfast - a giant stack of pancakes. Okay, not bad. I like pancakes. At least it's not lumpy oatmeal or some cereal with the word fibre in the name.
My new foster mom flutters all around me, handing me more pancakes, plus fruit, hot chocolate, and juice. Milk is noticeably absent. I guess no one trusts me with that drink anymore. In between handing me syrup every few minutes and refilling my juice, she talks nonstop of where we'll shop and what we'll hunt for. Mrs Scott is just a ball of uncontained energy this morning.
I can hardly hear her chatter for the torturous sounds of her two favourite guys in the next room. I do catch the snippets, such as "I hear tall boots are out," "pink is the new black," "cashing in 401k for name-brand jeans," and "fun, fun, fun." It's a crying shame to have a headache before you've even had a chance to brush your teeth.
I hold my ears like I'm four. "Could you please ask them to stop?"
Mrs Scott rambles on, sharing what she discovered while flipping through a Seventeen last night. A full minute passes before it registers I've spoken.
"Stop what?"
"Whatever Mr Scott and Rocky are doing. Please make it stop."
"Oh, James works with Rocky every day on a new trick or command. He really is a brilliant dog."
Mr Scott and Rocky reach a crescendo that makes my eyes cross.
"Oh my daaaaaarlin' Clementine!"
Millie drops her own breakfast of grapefruit onto her plat. "Oh, yes, I see what you mean. Sorry."
My faux mom speeds out of the kitchen, and I hear her say something to Mr Scott and scaring me with his shenanigans. Okay, I know shenanigans. Shenanigans is sticking two hundred plastic forks in your neighbour's yard or shaking up someone's canned pop so it will explode when he opens it. What I'm experiencing now is called torture. Pure and simple. Mr Scott could use that tactic during war interrogations." '
Breakfast isn't even finished and we're inundated with all this unnecessary mental prattle and trust me it just gets worse.
[image error]
It's ridiculously annoying. I generally do enjoy Christian romance - I don't even mind some of the preachy types. But this book (albeit not preachy) is ANNOYING!! Because it tries too hard to be hip and funny with DUMB "JOKES".
Instead I wanted to invade that place and start an anti-Christ orgy fest.
Example - there's an incident relating to our heroine Katie being caught breaking into a theatre. However, she wasn't part of it and although it really was tragic, anyone could tell it wasn't something she endorsed or was part of.
However, the way Katie was going on and on feeling guilty and ashamed you'd think she was caught selling drugs to pre-schoolers. I've done far worse at aged 16 (including drugs and vandalism) and I don't have the excuse of absent parents, foster care or trailer parks. In fact I attended an expensive Church of England girls boarding school (in the UK we call it public schools rather than private FYI).
DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. SO DUMB IT HURTS.
Katie also appears to suffer contradictory emotions. I appreciate she's 16, full of angst, unsure of herself, insecure and feeling vulnerable - but her thought process was confusing. One minute she's desperate to leave her foster parents, immediately next she's concerned they wouldn't want her so she acts up (dresses like a goth) in order to hurry the inevitable (her being sent back to the care home), then she's on a mission to be the best foster daughter possible. However, that was the least annoying part.
The writing style is the worst (also that sanctimonious girl Frances (whom I wanted to punch). Seriously - if she's the face of Christian Youth I'm not surprised they're struggling to recruit).
FRANCES WAS ANNOYING!!
The writing style tries too hard to be "cute" - constantly trying to create funny moments - but it's naff.
JUST SHUT UP. YOU'RE STUPID.
Examples:
' "May be we could see Katie's bedroom?"
A light enters Millie Scott's eyes at Mrs Smartly's suggestion, and you can tell she thinks that's a great idea. My room had better not be upstairs. If I need to make a great escape, I don't know how I would get down. Let's be realistic. That bit of tying a bunch of sheets together can't possibly work in real life. "Girl falls to her death -insufficient thread count to blame." Plus I am not hoofing it up and down stairs all the time.
"If you'll follow me upstairs, I'll show you your room."
Sheesh, can't an underprivileged ward of the state ever catch a break?
At step number 260 (okay okay, it was step number seven) we are met by the largest dog I have ever seen in my life. I'm throwing mental daggers at Mrs Smartly. She said nothing about a dog. I don't like dogs. They slobber and they smell, and this one looks like a giant, mutant horse. '
So basically several paragraphs of mental diarrhoea must be endured just to climb up a flight of stairs and reach her bedroom. And it's like that throughout the book.
' "Take a seat sweetie, and I'll get you something to eat." Mrs Scott guides me to the breakfast nook table and puts silverware in front of me, "Did you sleep well."
Choosing to ignore her question, I barely hold onto a smart remark about my lack of sleep. First of all, I don't do mornings. And second of all, I don't function well on zero sleep. I just don't feel I'm at my best when I the bags under my eyes are beyond the power of foundation., concealer or spackle.
Mrs Scott brings me my breakfast - a giant stack of pancakes. Okay, not bad. I like pancakes. At least it's not lumpy oatmeal or some cereal with the word fibre in the name.
My new foster mom flutters all around me, handing me more pancakes, plus fruit, hot chocolate, and juice. Milk is noticeably absent. I guess no one trusts me with that drink anymore. In between handing me syrup every few minutes and refilling my juice, she talks nonstop of where we'll shop and what we'll hunt for. Mrs Scott is just a ball of uncontained energy this morning.
I can hardly hear her chatter for the torturous sounds of her two favourite guys in the next room. I do catch the snippets, such as "I hear tall boots are out," "pink is the new black," "cashing in 401k for name-brand jeans," and "fun, fun, fun." It's a crying shame to have a headache before you've even had a chance to brush your teeth.
I hold my ears like I'm four. "Could you please ask them to stop?"
Mrs Scott rambles on, sharing what she discovered while flipping through a Seventeen last night. A full minute passes before it registers I've spoken.
"Stop what?"
"Whatever Mr Scott and Rocky are doing. Please make it stop."
"Oh, James works with Rocky every day on a new trick or command. He really is a brilliant dog."
Mr Scott and Rocky reach a crescendo that makes my eyes cross.
"Oh my daaaaaarlin' Clementine!"
Millie drops her own breakfast of grapefruit onto her plat. "Oh, yes, I see what you mean. Sorry."
My faux mom speeds out of the kitchen, and I hear her say something to Mr Scott and scaring me with his shenanigans. Okay, I know shenanigans. Shenanigans is sticking two hundred plastic forks in your neighbour's yard or shaking up someone's canned pop so it will explode when he opens it. What I'm experiencing now is called torture. Pure and simple. Mr Scott could use that tactic during war interrogations." '
Breakfast isn't even finished and we're inundated with all this unnecessary mental prattle and trust me it just gets worse.
January 25, 2019
Next
What on earth was that!!? First and last book I read by this author. Let's hope my next book is an improvement. Surely cannot be worse. Can it?
What on earth was that!!? First and last book I read by this author. Let's hope my next book is an improvement. Surely cannot be worse. Can it?
August 3, 2011
While I am a big suspense reader, every so often I like picking up a book that will make me laugh from start to finish. In Between achieved that desire to the fullest! From the first chapter, Katie’s personality and dry sense of humor had me grinning from ear to ear. Be prepared to get many weird looks from people around you as you all but roll in laughter, but this book was sooo worth looking like a fool. LOL!
Jenny B. Jones did an amazing job at writing the main character, Katie. Nothing about Katie Parker is shallow! Wow! Maybe it’s because I’m a teen myself and could totally relate and understand Katie. Her exaggerated style of communicating and thinking was hilarious! With that said, I admit that there was a few times I wished Katie would be serious. Maybe it’s just me, but the constant flow of exaggeration and dry humor got a wee bit old once in a while…but then she would say something that totally cracked me up and I’d be laughing all over again! So be forewarned, this Katie doesn’t have a serious bone in her body! :-P
The other characters in In Between were also well written and memorable. I loved all the different layers her foster parents had that Katie slowly pulled back as the story progressed. Maxine, to me, was a bit of an overkill. Not in a bad way, but I didn’t see her as very realistic. Frances was lots of fun, though her story wasn’t exactly finished when the book ended. Wonder how it will continue in the next book! With Jenny’s vivid and bold writing style, she brings the small town of In Between, Texas to life through the voice of Katie Parker.
I would recommend this book to teen girls of any ages. Not guys (if I guy would pick up a book that so obviously has “teen girl” written all over it. My brother wouldn’t get within ten feet of it!). There’s a lot of girl-related crude humor, but if you’re a girl, it’s nothing that extreme. While shopping Katie gets overly excited about a push-up bra and pants that make her look like she actually has a butt. There’s mention of Katie asking her foster mom for tampons and towards the end she sticks a bunch of tissues inside her bra right before a play so she can fit her costume. There’s also a cross-dresser at her school that she hangs out with in the first part of the book (totally weird, if you ask me!) Like I said before, I personally don’t think it would be too much for a teen girl to read. But that’s just me.
In Between easily got 5 stars from me. Not only was it a fun read, but the lesson’s Katie learns throughout the book are also really good. Addressing the subjects of life as a foster kid, hanging with the wrong crowd, and a wayward child, there are many things to be learned in Katie’s world. I highly recommend this to any reader who needs a good, lighthearted story that is sure to make you laugh.
Jenny B. Jones did an amazing job at writing the main character, Katie. Nothing about Katie Parker is shallow! Wow! Maybe it’s because I’m a teen myself and could totally relate and understand Katie. Her exaggerated style of communicating and thinking was hilarious! With that said, I admit that there was a few times I wished Katie would be serious. Maybe it’s just me, but the constant flow of exaggeration and dry humor got a wee bit old once in a while…but then she would say something that totally cracked me up and I’d be laughing all over again! So be forewarned, this Katie doesn’t have a serious bone in her body! :-P
The other characters in In Between were also well written and memorable. I loved all the different layers her foster parents had that Katie slowly pulled back as the story progressed. Maxine, to me, was a bit of an overkill. Not in a bad way, but I didn’t see her as very realistic. Frances was lots of fun, though her story wasn’t exactly finished when the book ended. Wonder how it will continue in the next book! With Jenny’s vivid and bold writing style, she brings the small town of In Between, Texas to life through the voice of Katie Parker.
I would recommend this book to teen girls of any ages. Not guys (if I guy would pick up a book that so obviously has “teen girl” written all over it. My brother wouldn’t get within ten feet of it!). There’s a lot of girl-related crude humor, but if you’re a girl, it’s nothing that extreme. While shopping Katie gets overly excited about a push-up bra and pants that make her look like she actually has a butt. There’s mention of Katie asking her foster mom for tampons and towards the end she sticks a bunch of tissues inside her bra right before a play so she can fit her costume. There’s also a cross-dresser at her school that she hangs out with in the first part of the book (totally weird, if you ask me!) Like I said before, I personally don’t think it would be too much for a teen girl to read. But that’s just me.
In Between easily got 5 stars from me. Not only was it a fun read, but the lesson’s Katie learns throughout the book are also really good. Addressing the subjects of life as a foster kid, hanging with the wrong crowd, and a wayward child, there are many things to be learned in Katie’s world. I highly recommend this to any reader who needs a good, lighthearted story that is sure to make you laugh.
August 26, 2018
4.5 Stars! =D
Okay, so I'm just going to say this really fast. If anyone takes me on a six-hour plus shopping trip for clothes without letting me buy one book, then offering to take me out for lunch allowing me to pick my choice of dessert. And I happen to choose the ice cream, brownies, hot fudge, and a whole list of candy items sprinkle on top, and the waiter accidentally adds an extra scoop. Well, I'm not going to be sharing! So go get your phone?
Umm-huh. Sorry, about that. But when someone puts me in a stressful situation, such as buying clothes, I need that chocolate!
Anyways, let's get on with this review.
This book was hilarious! I couldn't help myself by laughing a lot. And when I say a book gets me laughing, that's a good thing. Just the things that Katie says and does and thinks were funny.
And don't even get me get started with Mad Maxine. *Bursts out laughing* She was a different kind of an older person. The kind you usually don't hear too much about.
Though funny things weren't just thrown at you, there were difficult things that both Katie and her foster parents were dealing with. Stuff that was very heartfelt. Yes, there is humor and sarcasm at every turn, but you could still feel the hurt in these characters.
And the Christian message in here wasn't too preachy. Katie listened, but didn't necessary believed right away. She was struggling with the whole God thing being new with church and stuff. But she questioned it and wondered.
For me, this story is about finding a place to belong. Katie wanted to belong and she felt the people she could most relate to, were the people with similar stories. Those who were also dealing with hurt. Hanging of those people though usually got her in a lot of trouble.
Even though I never really been with the wrong crowd, I have been the new kid before. I know how difficult it is to belong in any group because of it. And in the case of Katie, she didn't even really belong with the tough crowd.
So now why I didn't give it a five star rating.
So, even though I love the sarcasm and humor, there were times it rubbed me the wrong way. I really got were Katie was coming from. But there were times I was like: "Katie, give it a break! These people are trying to help you! Chill!" But like I said, I liked the sarcasm, but there was times where I thought she just need to calm down a little.
Okay, so I never really went to a public school before. So I really had a hard time relating to the whole public school thing. I mean when Katie begs Millie to homeschool her so they could form their relationships better, I was like, YES!!! But poor Millie doesn't know what fun is. =(
Anyway, because of the whole public school thing there was some things that I am not sure can happen or not, so please tell me if they can. Like the whole PE thing. Because I was homeschooled, PE was never on my schedule. So, can you really do 50+ push-ups, lots of situps, chinups, run laps, etc., in about an hour or so? I just found this very obsessive and maybe impossible. Though it could be that Katie just was over exaggerating, but because of what the other students were saying, I'm not so sure. And you know all the stuff that Francis was doing? Is that even possible? I mean, I believe she could very well do a few of those things, but is it possible to do that much?
And the pink room.... I was glad that Katie was very grateful for her room.... BUT.... I would get a shade of blue out for a repaint. Pink.... My worse nightmare.
Content In Book:
1. Talk about women's underwear and stuff.
2. Dissecting a pig. For biology.
3. Breaking into a theater and vandalizing it.
4. Drug selling. Past tense, mentions because of her mom.
5. Mention of Goths and Katie trying to act like one.
6. Spying on someone's house.
7. A girl who had a knife under her pillow.
8. Teenagers smoking.
Who I Would Recommend This Book To:
Those who like funny contemporaries with a Christian element.
Will I Read the Next Book in the Series:
YES! I mean, don't you hate it when someone adds in an excerpt of the next book, so you read it because you're curious, then it ends on a note that says: CLIFFHANGER!!! So, yeah, I hope to pick up On the Loose soon. =D But I have no idea when....
Okay, so I'm just going to say this really fast. If anyone takes me on a six-hour plus shopping trip for clothes without letting me buy one book, then offering to take me out for lunch allowing me to pick my choice of dessert. And I happen to choose the ice cream, brownies, hot fudge, and a whole list of candy items sprinkle on top, and the waiter accidentally adds an extra scoop. Well, I'm not going to be sharing! So go get your phone?
Umm-huh. Sorry, about that. But when someone puts me in a stressful situation, such as buying clothes, I need that chocolate!
Anyways, let's get on with this review.
This book was hilarious! I couldn't help myself by laughing a lot. And when I say a book gets me laughing, that's a good thing. Just the things that Katie says and does and thinks were funny.
And don't even get me get started with Mad Maxine. *Bursts out laughing* She was a different kind of an older person. The kind you usually don't hear too much about.
Though funny things weren't just thrown at you, there were difficult things that both Katie and her foster parents were dealing with. Stuff that was very heartfelt. Yes, there is humor and sarcasm at every turn, but you could still feel the hurt in these characters.
And the Christian message in here wasn't too preachy. Katie listened, but didn't necessary believed right away. She was struggling with the whole God thing being new with church and stuff. But she questioned it and wondered.
For me, this story is about finding a place to belong. Katie wanted to belong and she felt the people she could most relate to, were the people with similar stories. Those who were also dealing with hurt. Hanging of those people though usually got her in a lot of trouble.
Even though I never really been with the wrong crowd, I have been the new kid before. I know how difficult it is to belong in any group because of it. And in the case of Katie, she didn't even really belong with the tough crowd.
So now why I didn't give it a five star rating.
So, even though I love the sarcasm and humor, there were times it rubbed me the wrong way. I really got were Katie was coming from. But there were times I was like: "Katie, give it a break! These people are trying to help you! Chill!" But like I said, I liked the sarcasm, but there was times where I thought she just need to calm down a little.
Okay, so I never really went to a public school before. So I really had a hard time relating to the whole public school thing. I mean when Katie begs Millie to homeschool her so they could form their relationships better, I was like, YES!!! But poor Millie doesn't know what fun is. =(
Anyway, because of the whole public school thing there was some things that I am not sure can happen or not, so please tell me if they can. Like the whole PE thing. Because I was homeschooled, PE was never on my schedule. So, can you really do 50+ push-ups, lots of situps, chinups, run laps, etc., in about an hour or so? I just found this very obsessive and maybe impossible. Though it could be that Katie just was over exaggerating, but because of what the other students were saying, I'm not so sure. And you know all the stuff that Francis was doing? Is that even possible? I mean, I believe she could very well do a few of those things, but is it possible to do that much?
And the pink room.... I was glad that Katie was very grateful for her room.... BUT.... I would get a shade of blue out for a repaint. Pink.... My worse nightmare.
Content In Book:
1. Talk about women's underwear and stuff.
2. Dissecting a pig. For biology.
3. Breaking into a theater and vandalizing it.
4. Drug selling. Past tense, mentions because of her mom.
5. Mention of Goths and Katie trying to act like one.
6. Spying on someone's house.
7. A girl who had a knife under her pillow.
8. Teenagers smoking.
Who I Would Recommend This Book To:
Those who like funny contemporaries with a Christian element.
Will I Read the Next Book in the Series:
YES! I mean, don't you hate it when someone adds in an excerpt of the next book, so you read it because you're curious, then it ends on a note that says: CLIFFHANGER!!! So, yeah, I hope to pick up On the Loose soon. =D But I have no idea when....
July 10, 2017
At first I thought I was going to hate this book. Katie's behavior and comments made me roll my eyes every second throughout the first ten chapters of so. I felt as if I was reading about a twelve-year old girl, instead of a sixteen-year old.
After the Valiant incident, I began to see some change within Katie. I really liked where the character development took her, she kicked all those bad expectations people had of her in the butt. Way to go, Katie!
I've seen people complaining a lot about this being a Christian novel. They say that they had all the "God stuff" thrown to their faces, but I really didn't see it that way. And I'm not a Christian myself. Maybe it's due to the fact that I was raised by Catholic parents, and everyone in my family considers themselves Catholics (I'm the black sheep, ha). And my everyday life is kind of like Katie's, with my parents telling me to pray all the time, and going to church every Sunday, etc.
Anyway, returning to the book review... I really liked how this book turned out in the end. It even showed that Frances, who everyone deemed as "perfect", had things she disliked and that got her angry.
I was left in a massive cliffhanger after I read the first chapter of the second book in this series. So I'm seriously considering to buy it on my Kindle.
After the Valiant incident, I began to see some change within Katie. I really liked where the character development took her, she kicked all those bad expectations people had of her in the butt. Way to go, Katie!
I've seen people complaining a lot about this being a Christian novel. They say that they had all the "God stuff" thrown to their faces, but I really didn't see it that way. And I'm not a Christian myself. Maybe it's due to the fact that I was raised by Catholic parents, and everyone in my family considers themselves Catholics (I'm the black sheep, ha). And my everyday life is kind of like Katie's, with my parents telling me to pray all the time, and going to church every Sunday, etc.
Anyway, returning to the book review... I really liked how this book turned out in the end. It even showed that Frances, who everyone deemed as "perfect", had things she disliked and that got her angry.
I was left in a massive cliffhanger after I read the first chapter of the second book in this series. So I'm seriously considering to buy it on my Kindle.
April 14, 2017
About this book:
“Can we overcome our past?
Katie Parker is about to get a new life—whether she wants one or not. With her mom in prison, and her father AWOL, Katie is sent to live with a squeaky-clean family who could have their own sitcom. She launches a full-scale plan to get sent back to the girls’ home when she finds herself in over her head...and heart. When Katie and her new "wrong crowd" get into significant trouble at school, she finds her punishment is restoring a historic theater with a crazy grandma who goes by the name of Mad Maxine. In the midst of her punishment, Katie uncovers family secrets that run deep, and realizes she's not the only one with a pain-filled past. Katie must decide if she'll continue her own family’s messed up legacy or embrace a new beginning in this place called In Between.”
Series: Book #1 (of four) in the “Katie Parker Productions” series.
Spiritual Content- Katie really isn’t happy with God (she says “God-schomod” once); Many, many Prayers & Blessings over food by Pastor Scott (Katie’s new foster dad); At the beginning Katie does not want to go to church but as it goes on she gets a bit more open minded; Youth group, Church & Wednesday night goings (a few sermons are written out); Scriptures are said & talked about; a “Thank God”; Katie says she “had history with a teacher who probably knew your Moses dude”; Katie tries to pray; Katie recalls when she was five and at Sunday School once, that she finger-painted a mustache on a picture of Jesus; Katie says she doesn’t know that she’ll ever get through the Bible “until Nicholas Sparks puts out a version.”; Talks about God, Him accepting us, Him meeting us, forgiveness & The Grace of God (GOG).
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘goddess’, a ‘pansy’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘sheesh’, a ‘stinkin’’, a ‘suck it up’, a form of ‘sissy’, two ‘blast it’s, two ‘screw’, three ‘sick’s, three ‘idiot’s (mostly Katie calling herself that), three ‘oh my gosh’s, eight ‘stupid’s (again, mostly Katie calling herself that) and someone cusses but it’s not written; butts, rears, back ends, tushes het told where to sit & go numb; The phase “on crack” is said once; A floor color reminds Katie of vomit; Katie had a roommate that “would just as soon slit you with the knife she hides under her King James Bible as she would befriend you”, Trina is mentioned a couple times again later; To confuse/scare Mr. & Mrs. Scott, Katie dresses goth & says that “death…that’s so cool” and that her “people celebrate it” (she mentions that a juice looks like blood and that bacon is a dead pig) (She knows that they’ll send her back soon so she just tries and get it over with); Cigarette smoking (Katie does not partake in it but hangs teens who do); Katie is unknowingly recruited for a vandalism trip with her new “friends”; Katie tries to push the envelope with Mrs. Scott and asks for “a strawberry virgin daiquiri with a little pink umbrella floating in it” (She, of course, does not get one); Katie & Frances have to dissect a pig (semi detailed & very detailed); Katie is very, very, very sassy and sarcastic (very!).
Sexual Content- a ‘floozy’, a ‘hoochie mama’; Katie says she has a boyfriend named Snake (“the shorter the name, the easier to get it tattooed on your—“) (He’s made up and not mentioned after that scene); Maxine was a Vegas Show girl and says once that she’s “not afraid to show a little cleavage” and also says at a different time that she keeps her ATM card in her bra; Katie says that the “dog’s way of getting to know me is totally scandalous. If I greeted people like that at school, I’d be arrested.”; When she’s trying on a pair of jeans, Katie says that the pair “makes me look like a actually have a butt”; Katie gets two new padded bras and that she’s shortcoming in that area, those bras are mentioned again a few times again as a “wonderbra”; Katie says that “the underwear could go since I like to go au natural anyway” (that doesn’t happen and Mrs. Scott finds room for all the bags in her car); Sam dances with a young guy, but it’s clear a few pages later that Charlie is teaching Sam to dance; Boyfriends & Girlfriends are mentioned but don’t play major roles in this book; Katie calls a guy “totally hot” and that guys who usually like her “usually have a few body piercings and a taste for cheap cigarettes.”; Katie tells Frances that she thought she was going to hyperventilate when she asked Millie (Mrs. Scott) to buy her some tampons; Maxine stuffs tissues in Katie’s dress saying that they’re “Boobs in a box!”.
-Katie Parker, age 16
P.O.V. of Katie
345 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
**Just a note: Katie is very sassy and very sarcastic; some families will not want their daughter reading this book**
While this had some funny parts, I think it would be best for girls ages 16+ because of some of the content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Can we overcome our past?
Katie Parker is about to get a new life—whether she wants one or not. With her mom in prison, and her father AWOL, Katie is sent to live with a squeaky-clean family who could have their own sitcom. She launches a full-scale plan to get sent back to the girls’ home when she finds herself in over her head...and heart. When Katie and her new "wrong crowd" get into significant trouble at school, she finds her punishment is restoring a historic theater with a crazy grandma who goes by the name of Mad Maxine. In the midst of her punishment, Katie uncovers family secrets that run deep, and realizes she's not the only one with a pain-filled past. Katie must decide if she'll continue her own family’s messed up legacy or embrace a new beginning in this place called In Between.”
Series: Book #1 (of four) in the “Katie Parker Productions” series.
Spiritual Content- Katie really isn’t happy with God (she says “God-schomod” once); Many, many Prayers & Blessings over food by Pastor Scott (Katie’s new foster dad); At the beginning Katie does not want to go to church but as it goes on she gets a bit more open minded; Youth group, Church & Wednesday night goings (a few sermons are written out); Scriptures are said & talked about; a “Thank God”; Katie says she “had history with a teacher who probably knew your Moses dude”; Katie tries to pray; Katie recalls when she was five and at Sunday School once, that she finger-painted a mustache on a picture of Jesus; Katie says she doesn’t know that she’ll ever get through the Bible “until Nicholas Sparks puts out a version.”; Talks about God, Him accepting us, Him meeting us, forgiveness & The Grace of God (GOG).
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘goddess’, a ‘pansy’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘sheesh’, a ‘stinkin’’, a ‘suck it up’, a form of ‘sissy’, two ‘blast it’s, two ‘screw’, three ‘sick’s, three ‘idiot’s (mostly Katie calling herself that), three ‘oh my gosh’s, eight ‘stupid’s (again, mostly Katie calling herself that) and someone cusses but it’s not written; butts, rears, back ends, tushes het told where to sit & go numb; The phase “on crack” is said once; A floor color reminds Katie of vomit; Katie had a roommate that “would just as soon slit you with the knife she hides under her King James Bible as she would befriend you”, Trina is mentioned a couple times again later; To confuse/scare Mr. & Mrs. Scott, Katie dresses goth & says that “death…that’s so cool” and that her “people celebrate it” (she mentions that a juice looks like blood and that bacon is a dead pig) (She knows that they’ll send her back soon so she just tries and get it over with); Cigarette smoking (Katie does not partake in it but hangs teens who do); Katie is unknowingly recruited for a vandalism trip with her new “friends”; Katie tries to push the envelope with Mrs. Scott and asks for “a strawberry virgin daiquiri with a little pink umbrella floating in it” (She, of course, does not get one); Katie & Frances have to dissect a pig (semi detailed & very detailed); Katie is very, very, very sassy and sarcastic (very!).
Sexual Content- a ‘floozy’, a ‘hoochie mama’; Katie says she has a boyfriend named Snake (“the shorter the name, the easier to get it tattooed on your—“) (He’s made up and not mentioned after that scene); Maxine was a Vegas Show girl and says once that she’s “not afraid to show a little cleavage” and also says at a different time that she keeps her ATM card in her bra; Katie says that the “dog’s way of getting to know me is totally scandalous. If I greeted people like that at school, I’d be arrested.”; When she’s trying on a pair of jeans, Katie says that the pair “makes me look like a actually have a butt”; Katie gets two new padded bras and that she’s shortcoming in that area, those bras are mentioned again a few times again as a “wonderbra”; Katie says that “the underwear could go since I like to go au natural anyway” (that doesn’t happen and Mrs. Scott finds room for all the bags in her car); Sam dances with a young guy, but it’s clear a few pages later that Charlie is teaching Sam to dance; Boyfriends & Girlfriends are mentioned but don’t play major roles in this book; Katie calls a guy “totally hot” and that guys who usually like her “usually have a few body piercings and a taste for cheap cigarettes.”; Katie tells Frances that she thought she was going to hyperventilate when she asked Millie (Mrs. Scott) to buy her some tampons; Maxine stuffs tissues in Katie’s dress saying that they’re “Boobs in a box!”.
-Katie Parker, age 16
P.O.V. of Katie
345 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
**Just a note: Katie is very sassy and very sarcastic; some families will not want their daughter reading this book**
While this had some funny parts, I think it would be best for girls ages 16+ because of some of the content.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
November 22, 2018
Fun reading. This Disney Channel fan enjoyed it.
July 6, 2017
Hilariously witty, relatable, captivating, and inspiring, I loved this book! This is one of those books you make a million highlights in, and go back and read them at random when you need cheering up. ;) The only downfall was there is some crudeness\"girl-talk", if I am remembering correctly.
September 7, 2014
I have to admit that I was skeptical of this book when I first began. Having never read anything by Jenny B. Jones before, I had no idea of her writing style and I've read a few other books dealing with characters in the foster care system and I was dreading wading through the sad reality of the very real struggles and injustices of foster care in general.
I quickly found myself drawn in by Katie and her situation. This kid has my sense of humor! The deeper I got into the book, the deeper it felt like Jenny B. Jones had stepped into my own highschool mind with Katie's quick wit and sarcasm. I LOVED IT!
I don't think I've ever laughed so hard or fallen in love with characters so fast before. You simply MUST read this book! The entire series had me laughing so hard my sides ached and tears poured down my face as my heart embraced Katie and her... life. I can't say it enough. I loved these books.
I quickly found myself drawn in by Katie and her situation. This kid has my sense of humor! The deeper I got into the book, the deeper it felt like Jenny B. Jones had stepped into my own highschool mind with Katie's quick wit and sarcasm. I LOVED IT!
I don't think I've ever laughed so hard or fallen in love with characters so fast before. You simply MUST read this book! The entire series had me laughing so hard my sides ached and tears poured down my face as my heart embraced Katie and her... life. I can't say it enough. I loved these books.
June 22, 2017
This book was HILARIOUS! Seriously, you’ll find yourself, smiling, laughing and just enjoying this light, funny story about a teen-aged foster child. Katie Parker’s mom is in prison, and now she finds herself part of the foster care system. A husband and wife want Katie to live with them as their foster child in In Between Texas. When Katie gets to In Between, she’s thrown into a life that’s as foreign to her as if she were living in a different country. Her foster dad is a pastor, her foster mom is loving, caring, and cooks hearty, tasty meals for her family. Her foster grandmother is a cuckoo woman who gets on Katie’s nerves. As Katie tries to fit into her new family, it turns out to be a long, lesson-filled journey for her. She tries to find herself while trying out different elective classes in school, and she sits with a different crowd each day during lunch – trying to figure out where she belongs in her new school. She finds out the hard way that not everybody is her friend in her new environment. Katie also starts going to church and becomes friends with Frances, a beautiful, upbeat, Christian girl that helps Katie during her transition to the new town.
Katie’s foster parents harbor secrets and Katie is determined to find out what, exactly, causes the undercurrent of disharmony in her new home.
This was a light, funny read and if you like young adult fiction, then you should give this book a try.
Katie’s foster parents harbor secrets and Katie is determined to find out what, exactly, causes the undercurrent of disharmony in her new home.
This was a light, funny read and if you like young adult fiction, then you should give this book a try.
April 21, 2012
I LOVE Jenny B. Jones. Anything Jenny writes I'm bound to love. She has this tough with contemp comedy. She can just hook you in.
I read her Charmed Life Trilogy before I got a tie parker. I fell in love with Charmed Life. Every single book just made me Laugh out Loud and have a great time enjoying a fun, fresh story. Same with Katie Parker. This is an LOL book!
I loved Katie's character. She's struggling at the beginning to deal with family problems and adjusting to a new foster home and fitting in, but right from the start her humor side is present. As she grows throughout the story, discovering herself along the way it's just so ugh fun to be with her.
I don't know how much more I can say without repeating myself. Jenny just has this incredible sense of humor that is so fun and she really gets into the heads of her girls and you just want to laugh and cry along with her heroines.
I can't wait to read the second book in the Katie Parker production trio! Highly recommended as a sweet, fun clean read.
Fyi: This is a book written by a Christian Author. Some people like to know that.
I read her Charmed Life Trilogy before I got a tie parker. I fell in love with Charmed Life. Every single book just made me Laugh out Loud and have a great time enjoying a fun, fresh story. Same with Katie Parker. This is an LOL book!
I loved Katie's character. She's struggling at the beginning to deal with family problems and adjusting to a new foster home and fitting in, but right from the start her humor side is present. As she grows throughout the story, discovering herself along the way it's just so ugh fun to be with her.
I don't know how much more I can say without repeating myself. Jenny just has this incredible sense of humor that is so fun and she really gets into the heads of her girls and you just want to laugh and cry along with her heroines.
I can't wait to read the second book in the Katie Parker production trio! Highly recommended as a sweet, fun clean read.
Fyi: This is a book written by a Christian Author. Some people like to know that.
September 2, 2016
15+ for teenage content.
I downloaded this book on a whim, mainly because it looked cute, clean, and was free. I was not expecting to be hooked to the story!
I had a hard time with the cynical POV at first. Katie seemed like a typical sixteen year old some of the time. The rest of the time, she was the mid-forties master of sarcasm and wit on steroids. Yes, she was hilarious. Or just plain cynical. Or way-too-insensitive. She had a charm and frustration all her own.
The story was basic, if not predictable. It was Katie's ready wit that made the book, hilariously frustrating as it was. There were satisfying moments of laughter, tears, frustration (have I mentioned this already?!), mystery, and a great ending.
Four stars for a book that kept me hooked, the ever-need topic of fostering and hurting teenagers, and just an overall fun read. Mentions of ghosts and an overall lack of propriety in Katie (some things should NOT be flippantly discussed) brought my rating down from a five to a four.
Recommended for teenage girls and ladies in search of a light, comical read.
I downloaded this book on a whim, mainly because it looked cute, clean, and was free. I was not expecting to be hooked to the story!
I had a hard time with the cynical POV at first. Katie seemed like a typical sixteen year old some of the time. The rest of the time, she was the mid-forties master of sarcasm and wit on steroids. Yes, she was hilarious. Or just plain cynical. Or way-too-insensitive. She had a charm and frustration all her own.
The story was basic, if not predictable. It was Katie's ready wit that made the book, hilariously frustrating as it was. There were satisfying moments of laughter, tears, frustration (have I mentioned this already?!), mystery, and a great ending.
Four stars for a book that kept me hooked, the ever-need topic of fostering and hurting teenagers, and just an overall fun read. Mentions of ghosts and an overall lack of propriety in Katie (some things should NOT be flippantly discussed) brought my rating down from a five to a four.
Recommended for teenage girls and ladies in search of a light, comical read.
June 15, 2012
Jenny B. Jones has the funniest dialog. Her books are so good to read just for the laughs. Even if the story lines aren't even captivating me, I'd still wanna read her stories just for the dialog.
This one is cute and heartbreaking at the same time. It's highly empathic but at the same time fun to read, and the author pulls that mix off in compelling ways. Jenny B. Jones understands teenagers and the way they think. She definitely has carved out time to write how a 'teenage foster care girl' should feel, but she adds her quirks to it so its not so heavy handed a read all the time. Its written well and its light hearted.
This one is cute and heartbreaking at the same time. It's highly empathic but at the same time fun to read, and the author pulls that mix off in compelling ways. Jenny B. Jones understands teenagers and the way they think. She definitely has carved out time to write how a 'teenage foster care girl' should feel, but she adds her quirks to it so its not so heavy handed a read all the time. Its written well and its light hearted.
June 9, 2015
Couldn't stop reading this book!! So much to the point of staying up past midnight reading in my bed, with my eyes burning of being tired. Anyway, all of Katie's (the main character in the book) problems are real-life. I have to say that whenever the author includes fake or unrealistic issues that the character goes through irritates me....And this book was completely unaccusable of my pet peeve! I don't want to reveal to much of this treasure bound in a cover; so I'm signing off. READ THIS BOOK! And remember, when you get hooked, that there are several other books in this series!! Yay!
July 6, 2012
Katie Parker is a foster child, her mother is in prison and she might as well be with her because her life is horrible. Especially because some people have decided that they want her to be their foster child. Never even meeting this family she is forced to move in with them and try to live 'normal' whatever that is. Katie is sure that before a week is even up they are going to have her kicked out and back to the Sunny Haven Home for Girls. Maybe if she's a bad kid they will kick her out. Nope. Even after becoming friends with the wrong group, and some trouble with police, they still tell her how much they love her. Amazing how someone could love you even after you have done so many bad things. And Katie just found out that her foster dad is the Pastor at the In Between Church. This is crazy, especially since Katie isn't in to the whole 'God' stuff. Will Katie learn to love the Scott's? Will She ever make friends? Will she ever be comfortable with her life? Will she learn to trust God and let him be in control?
~~
The reason I bought this book was because it was free (on my Kindle). I hardly ever will buy a book. This was a GREAT book!! I can't wait to get the next book!! You laugh with Katie and her crazy foster grandmother. And cry with her while thinking about her mother. It's amazing to me how real this book seems! Jenny B Jones is a great author and I can't wait to read more of her books.
~~
The reason I bought this book was because it was free (on my Kindle). I hardly ever will buy a book. This was a GREAT book!! I can't wait to get the next book!! You laugh with Katie and her crazy foster grandmother. And cry with her while thinking about her mother. It's amazing to me how real this book seems! Jenny B Jones is a great author and I can't wait to read more of her books.
October 22, 2014
The main character seemed very interesting and funny and I had a nice time reading about her but after a while I couldn't stand it anymore and I stopped reading. I endured less than half book.
First of all it was quite offensive to every Goth person who would read the book: sorry baby, having black clothes and black nail polish doesn't make you automatically an outcast. But it seems the heroine and every other character of the story thought so.
And so much talking about God and church. It was a free download from Amazon but if this would have been listed as "christian literature" I wouldn't have wasted my time in downloading it.
And the one thing that made me realize "ok, now I have had enough" was the two foster parents of the heroine who, as a punishment, tell her to attend church every Wednesday in the hope that she would meet "more law-abiding" friends.
Excuse me?? You are forcing religion on a person who told you doesn't have any interest in it?
Next thing they will probably reinstate the Inquisition…
First of all it was quite offensive to every Goth person who would read the book: sorry baby, having black clothes and black nail polish doesn't make you automatically an outcast. But it seems the heroine and every other character of the story thought so.
And so much talking about God and church. It was a free download from Amazon but if this would have been listed as "christian literature" I wouldn't have wasted my time in downloading it.
And the one thing that made me realize "ok, now I have had enough" was the two foster parents of the heroine who, as a punishment, tell her to attend church every Wednesday in the hope that she would meet "more law-abiding" friends.
Excuse me?? You are forcing religion on a person who told you doesn't have any interest in it?
Next thing they will probably reinstate the Inquisition…
December 1, 2014
Should have read the summary more thoroughly because I totally missed the last sentence about God being there. Now, I'm not totally against Christian books, but with the amount of preaching that goes on in this book, there should have been more mention of it in the summary. As an atheist who grew up in the church, it was painful to read.
Everything was so black and white. Church was good, goth was bad, all teenagers hang out with their exact group and only talk about their one interest. That's not what high school, or life, is really like. There were quite a few racist and homophobic people in my church, and the alternative kids in my HS were some of the nicest and easy going kids there. There was absolutely no depth to most of the characters or groups, and even the sappy ending with the foster folks realizing the error of their ways was boring and contrived. At least it was a free book.
Everything was so black and white. Church was good, goth was bad, all teenagers hang out with their exact group and only talk about their one interest. That's not what high school, or life, is really like. There were quite a few racist and homophobic people in my church, and the alternative kids in my HS were some of the nicest and easy going kids there. There was absolutely no depth to most of the characters or groups, and even the sappy ending with the foster folks realizing the error of their ways was boring and contrived. At least it was a free book.
August 20, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! I'm super excited to read the next!!!
October 29, 2019
I know it's possible for Christian fiction to not be preachy. I know it's possible for the genre to have well-drawn, multi-dimensional characters.
And yet.
This book was another example of the preachy sort of book that turned me off of the genre. Katie Parker is a foster child who has been assigned to the town minister and his wife. She's not into church, for a variety of reasons. Her foster parents want her to hang out with Frances, who is the straight-A, student body president, church twice a week girl who is just so nice and perfect. Katie is drawn more to Angel, who is troubled.
When Angel lets Katie take the fall for committing vandalism, Katie's foster parents make her not only work on cleaning up the aftermath but go to church twice a week and have Frances come over to tutor her.
It is so blindingly obvious that Katie is going to have a "conversion story" that I wanted to scream.
The non-Christians are all assigned to the "bad people" box and the Christians are all assigned to the "good people" box. Katie's a decent, smart kid ... so you know she's going to wind up in the "good people" box.
Human beings are not two-dimensional cardboard cutouts. Book characters should reflect humanity. Not all self-proclaimed Christians are good people. None of the people I know who are either non-believers or of a different faith are bad people.
This book just made me tired.
And yet.
This book was another example of the preachy sort of book that turned me off of the genre. Katie Parker is a foster child who has been assigned to the town minister and his wife. She's not into church, for a variety of reasons. Her foster parents want her to hang out with Frances, who is the straight-A, student body president, church twice a week girl who is just so nice and perfect. Katie is drawn more to Angel, who is troubled.
When Angel lets Katie take the fall for committing vandalism, Katie's foster parents make her not only work on cleaning up the aftermath but go to church twice a week and have Frances come over to tutor her.
It is so blindingly obvious that Katie is going to have a "conversion story" that I wanted to scream.
The non-Christians are all assigned to the "bad people" box and the Christians are all assigned to the "good people" box. Katie's a decent, smart kid ... so you know she's going to wind up in the "good people" box.
Human beings are not two-dimensional cardboard cutouts. Book characters should reflect humanity. Not all self-proclaimed Christians are good people. None of the people I know who are either non-believers or of a different faith are bad people.
This book just made me tired.
April 27, 2024
An interesting book, though obviously written for a much younger audience. A cast of interesting characters and an interesting place. Katie Parker was a good character and, unlike some reviewers say, she isn't sure about God at the end of the story, but one can understand why she is considering Christianity.
Content notes: Typical teen girl book fair with lots of talk about bras, feminine hygiene products, and how clothes fit. Katie comes from a rough background and sometimes finds herself with a bad crowd.
Content notes: Typical teen girl book fair with lots of talk about bras, feminine hygiene products, and how clothes fit. Katie comes from a rough background and sometimes finds herself with a bad crowd.
March 22, 2022
Still as cute as when I read it in high school! I love Katie’s wit and spunk!
June 21, 2017
I now understand why my teen loved this book and series. I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator was perfect. A sweet story of self-discovery.
October 5, 2017
**UPDATE**
Read this book for the second time because I needed something light to read, and once again it totally made me crack up. I loved it! A fantastic book to read if you're dealing with anything stressful and just need an escape.
***
In Between is one of a few novels I've read where I've actually cracked up every time I read it ... and on every other page. I kid you not.
But not only is In Between laugh-out-loud funny, Jenny manages to weave serious issues into her stories right alongside the humor. And somehow it meshes beautifully. That takes skill. In Between is a YA novel, but it can be appreciated by all ages. In fact, My Dad read it and liked it just as much as I did. My thirty-something friend did as well. It isn't every day that a book comes along that can resonant with such a diverse age range.
Whether you're a teen or not, Katie Parker is a girl we can all relate to. There's something universal about the challenges she faces. We all want to belong somewhere. We all want to be loved. We all need meaning in our lives.
Read this book for the second time because I needed something light to read, and once again it totally made me crack up. I loved it! A fantastic book to read if you're dealing with anything stressful and just need an escape.
***
In Between is one of a few novels I've read where I've actually cracked up every time I read it ... and on every other page. I kid you not.
But not only is In Between laugh-out-loud funny, Jenny manages to weave serious issues into her stories right alongside the humor. And somehow it meshes beautifully. That takes skill. In Between is a YA novel, but it can be appreciated by all ages. In fact, My Dad read it and liked it just as much as I did. My thirty-something friend did as well. It isn't every day that a book comes along that can resonant with such a diverse age range.
Whether you're a teen or not, Katie Parker is a girl we can all relate to. There's something universal about the challenges she faces. We all want to belong somewhere. We all want to be loved. We all need meaning in our lives.
March 20, 2019
In between by Jenny B Jones
This is a very cute, fun read about a young girl who is virtually orphaned. Father disappeared, mother in prison. After living 6 months at a home for girls, she was taken in as a foster child by a Christian pastor and his wife.
Right away she gets in trouble but the rest of the book is fun as she tries to make up for her mistake, and as she gets to know folks. When she actually begins to say what she thinks it is often very funny.
This is really geared more for young folks; which is not to say adults can't get a kick out of it.
I'd totally recommend it to young girls without reservation.
In fact I'm going to do that right now with the daughter of a good friend.
The four-star rating is not because it's not a really good book, but merely because it's not my preference in books.
For the sake of the younger set, consider it a 5.
This is a very cute, fun read about a young girl who is virtually orphaned. Father disappeared, mother in prison. After living 6 months at a home for girls, she was taken in as a foster child by a Christian pastor and his wife.
Right away she gets in trouble but the rest of the book is fun as she tries to make up for her mistake, and as she gets to know folks. When she actually begins to say what she thinks it is often very funny.
This is really geared more for young folks; which is not to say adults can't get a kick out of it.
I'd totally recommend it to young girls without reservation.
In fact I'm going to do that right now with the daughter of a good friend.
The four-star rating is not because it's not a really good book, but merely because it's not my preference in books.
For the sake of the younger set, consider it a 5.
February 10, 2016
This was an enjoyable read for me. The book was funny, Maxine was hilarious, and it had a light feel considering some of the topics it touched on.
I am not one to read others reviews and form opinions of their… opinions but I’m going to today. I have noticed far too often that reviewers will rip a book for its genre. If you do not like having religion thrown at you in the form of a book, why on earth are you picking up Christian Fiction? This particular book is listed under Christian Fiction and even mentions God in the blurb. So you basically willingly read a Christian Fiction book and then complained that it was Christian Fiction. Ok. Gotta love the modern day keyboard crusader. -_-
I am not one to read others reviews and form opinions of their… opinions but I’m going to today. I have noticed far too often that reviewers will rip a book for its genre. If you do not like having religion thrown at you in the form of a book, why on earth are you picking up Christian Fiction? This particular book is listed under Christian Fiction and even mentions God in the blurb. So you basically willingly read a Christian Fiction book and then complained that it was Christian Fiction. Ok. Gotta love the modern day keyboard crusader. -_-
December 24, 2014
I thought the story line was captivating. It had its funny dialogue in it. When I read the book, I kind of felt like I was Katie. Like I could feel her emotions. The storyline kept me going through all three books. I think these books are great for anyone.
December 13, 2017
Actual rating - 3.5
October 15, 2014
I love, love, love this book!!!! :)
It is cute, funny, and witty!
It is cute, funny, and witty!
November 23, 2022
A fun read. A foster girl gets landed with a pastor and his wife and the drama (literally) begins.
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