Bounce by Natasha Friend (188 pages)
Thirteen-year-old Evyn, her older brother, Mackey, and her dad, Birdie, have been a threesome since the death of her mother twelve years earlier. Although Evyn was too young to know her mom, she still talks to her at night as if she’s there. She tells her mom about any problems she’s having with friends, concerns about schoolwork, and worries about her father’s love life. When Birdie tells Evyn and Mack that he’s getting married to Eleni, a woman with six of her own kids, Evyn is completely dumbfounded. Suddenly her life is turned upside down - they move from Maine to Boston, she attends a snobby private school, her brother becomes popular, and her father changes his nickname to Al. With all these changes, Evyn doesn’t know what to do with herself! She isn’t making any friends at her new school, her best friend from Maine seems to have dropped Evyn since she moved, and the popular girls use her to find out private info about Evyn’s “hot” stepbrother. Nothing is going her way. Then, she gets some even more surprising news from Al and Eleni - they’re having a baby! This novel is a roller coaster ride of teenage drama, but it never feels forced. It seems entirely realistic and describes the ups and downs of having an untraditional family.
Miss Simer’s Rating: ***
Mia is entering ninth grade with a new look and a new attitude. No longer will she be “Mia the Meek!” She has decided this will be the year she is popular and gets a boyfriend. Hindering her plan is her new neighbor, Tim, a fast-talking, arrogant, yet handsome guy. He and Mia immediately have a mutual dislike for one another, but she tries to ignore him so she can focus on Jake, her crush of five years. Mia is ecstatic to learn that Jake and Cassie, the most popular girl in school, have broken up. She thinks it is finally her chance to make Jake notice her. Meanwhile, Mia’s best friend has nominated Mia for class president - and she has to run against Cassie! The questions linger… Will Mia have what it takes to win the election and the boy of her dreams? Or will she fall on her face? Find out in this humorous look at a girl longing to change her image and boost her self-confidence.