The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

Hi guys!! I'm gonna shake things up a bit...if you want a good tear-jerker, I would most definitely recommend "The Secret Journal of Brett Colton" by Kay Lynn Mangum! Here's a mini-summary: once upon a time, there was a boy named Brett Colton. When he was in high school, he was diagnosed with leukemia. During his treatment and time being sick, he expressed all of his feelings in a journal that he wrote to his then baby sister, Kathy, who he calls Kitty. Flash forward. Kathy is in high school and hates the brother who died when she was a toddler. She never even knew him, but she lives in his shadow. When she finds the journal, though, she begins to better understand and even love Brett. It's an awesome book, complete with a touch of romance!! 

Rating: PG (it's from Deseret Book, so nice and clean!)
Good or goodbye: Good! 

THANKS FOR READING! Hope you love it as much as I do!! :)

-Ashley 




Ah okay you guys! I recently read The Secret Journal of Brett Colton & I know that Ashley already reviewed it for us, BUT COME ON... HOW COULD I NOT REVIEW IT?!?! It was soooooo good! I literally cried during the whole thing! HAha no but seriously it was amazing!

Brett Colton died of Lukemia when he was 17 years old. This is a fact that Kathy Colton has to hear about ALL THE TIME. Could her family seriously not get over him? Kathy had much more important things to talk about-- LIKE HER LIFE! She was alive.. and yet the family spent more time talking about Brett than they did finding out about her life. Like how Kathy was tutoring one of the cutest, most popular boys at school... I mean Brett died when she was just 2 years old! 14 years ago! But they talk about him as if he died yesterday. Which drives Kathy up a wall. that is until on her 16th birthday she receives a gift left from Brett. A journal... written to her. Not only does Brett's journal change Kathy's life, but it changes the people around her too.

SOOO GOOD! Honestly, I think this book changed my life a little. It definitely made me grateful for the life that I have. I can't even express how much I loved it. Definitely a MUST READ!
Now, on a side note--- This book was written by a mormon, and there is some mormony stuff in it. HOWEVER I still think that even if you aren't mormon, you will enjoy this amazing story.


THANKS FOR READING MY TWO CENTS ON THIS BOOK! :) ENJOY
-Abby

Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
 Out of My Mind is a short novel about a girl with disabilities. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it gave me so much insight. Very inspiring story and very clean! I'm not 100% sure if this is a true story or not, BUT I know that even if it isn't, there are many people just like the main character.
Summary from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6609765-out-of-my-mind?from_search=true
"Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she's determined to let everyone know it;somehow."

Like I said above, very inspiring story. Since it's nice and short, it is something you can read in just a couple days, which is PERFECT when waiting for the next book of a series ;)

Out of My Mind is a must read for all ages: preteens, teens, and adults! 

Rate: G

   Totally clean!

GOOD OR GOODBYE?

   GOOD!!!

THANKS FOR READING! 

The Running Dream

whale I haven't read anything new these past few days -- so sorry, but I do remember this book, The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen.
I really really loved this book. It taught me so much about getting through hard things. Wow I'm reminiscing right now &  ya'll should go read this book!!
Honestly since it's been a while, I don't wanna completely ruin this summary, sooo summary from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8354134-the-running-dream
"Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?
As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.
With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her."

You know when people read books & say "you will laugh and cry along with the characters" well for this book, that was so true!! It is very well written & DUDE I JUST REALIZED ITS THE SAME AUTHOR AS FLIPPED!!!!!

Okay, so I do believe it had some cussing in it. I can't remember how many words though since its been a while. I will probably end up re-reading it soon, and then I will make modifications :-)

Rate: PG/PG13
   clean, depending on how many cuss words
GOOD OR GOODBYE?  GOOD! 
 very well written & thought provoking

NITTY GRITTY:
Like I said above, I can't remember how many cuss words there are. I don't believe it says the F word, but probably the H & D word.
Sorry I can't be of more help!


THANKS FOR READING!

One for the Murphy's

If you want a book that will make you appreciate the life that you have & will make you cry, then you must read One for the Murphy's by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
Seriously so good! I teared up at least 3 times!!
Summary from inside cover of book:
"12 year old Carley Connors can take a lot. Growing up in Las Vegas with her fun-loving mother, she's learned to be tough. But she never expected a betrayal that would land her in foster care. When she's placed with the Murphy's, a lively family with three boys, she's blind sighted. Do happy families really exist? Carley knows she could never belong in their world, so she keeps her distance.
It's easy to stay suspicious of Daniel, the brother who is almost her age and is resentful she's there. But Mrs.Murphy makes her feel heard and seen for the first time, and the two younger boys seem determined to work their way into her heart. Before she knows it, Carley is protecting the boys from a neighborhood bully and even teaching Daniel how to play basketball. Then, just when she's feeling like she could truly be one of the Murphys, news from her mother shakes her world."
Okay honestly, this book just makes me so grateful for what I have in life. I should have read this book at like thanksgiving time. Please please please go read!
rate: PG
   Clean! However, it does say the Lord's name in vain many times....
GOOD OR GOODBYE? GOOOD!!!

THANKS FOR READING!!