From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026

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What Members Thought

Jess Gill
Jul 10, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: young-adult
this reminded me of another book i'd read recently, "Winter's Bone"... both involved a mystery, a depressed economic climate in a small town, and meth. this was a beautifully written, complex story - the many layers kept me engaged, and the illustrated page at the beginning of each chapter, coupled with the way the novel was segmented into different days made it well-organized in addition to well-written and well-illustrated. an all-around, nicely done (although with a sad, tragic topic) YA nove ...more
Julie
Feb 18, 2011 rated it really liked it
One of my favorite Lauren Myracle books to date! When Cat's childhood friend Patrick is beaten, she confronts her past and is determined to discover what is really happening in her small town. The characters were authentic and I found myself loving and hating them at the same time. Thought she did a fantastic job representing small town life. Literally couldn't put this book down. I would recommend to older teens as there is strong language and a sexual situation. ...more
Susan  Dunn
Jul 01, 2011 rated it liked it
Shelves: ya-fiction
Very different from Lauren's typical books, but I liked it. After her best friend, Patrick, is attacked and put in a coma, Cat is determined to find out who did it. Life in her rural, depressed, poor Southern town is difficult enough, but for someone like Patrick who is gay, it was even harder. No one is talking about what happened - and Patrick can't - but Cat knows enough people and enough of their secrets to eventually figure it out. But once those secrets are unearthed, she may have put hers ...more
Jenna
Oct 17, 2011 rated it liked it
Shelves: mystery, young-adult
This book opens with a newspaper clipping about Patrick, a gay teen, who was brutally attacked and now in a coma. The story follows his former best friend, Cat, as she tries to find out who did this to him. Her inquisitions lead her to discovering a lot more about her town than she set out to find such as how almost everyone has a connection to meth. This book was intriguing and fast-paced, and teens will love the gritty bits. However, I felt that the author tried to throw too many issues into o ...more
Sarah
Feb 16, 2012 rated it really liked it
This should have won an award...I loved it. Tough read in places because it portrays the bullying of a gay teen...which Myracle handles deftly. This stays with you. I am going to recommend that my Kids Lit Book Club read and discuss it.
Rebekah
Nov 12, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: ya, difficult-topics
This book grabbed me right away, and I couldn't stop reading. While the issues are difficult - bigotry, addiction, violence - the honesty makes you want to keep turning the pages. ...more
Sara
Nov 24, 2010 rated it really liked it
Kathy
Jan 15, 2011 rated it really liked it
Cori  Grady
Feb 06, 2011 rated it really liked it
Amanda A
Mar 01, 2011 marked it as ntbr
Shelves: audiobook
Elisabeth
Mar 04, 2011 marked it as to-read
Laura
Mar 16, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: teen
Megan
May 16, 2011 marked it as to-read
Sarah
Jun 16, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Dana
Jun 16, 2011 rated it really liked it
Rebecca
Jul 11, 2011 rated it liked it
Rachel
Sep 09, 2011 marked it as to-read
Ellen
Sep 16, 2011 rated it really liked it
Laura5
Sep 26, 2011 marked it as to-read
Whitney
Oct 13, 2011 marked it as to-read
V C
Oct 20, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: ya
Amy
Oct 24, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: teen, mystery, southern, audio
Barbara
Oct 24, 2011 marked it as to-read
Beth Knight
Nov 06, 2011 marked it as to-read
Shelves: ya, own-it
Lola
Nov 21, 2011 marked it as to-read
Sarah
Nov 25, 2011 rated it really liked it
Shelves: young-adult, 2011
Katie Day
Jul 18, 2012 rated it liked it
Shelves: reader-4-mature
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