The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel - Review

Synopsis via goodreads:

If high school were a fairy-tale kingdom, Connelly Sternin would be Rapunzel, locked not in a tower by a wicked witch but in a high-rise apartment building by the SAT's and college applications—and by the secrets she keeps. Connelly's few friends think that her parents are divorced—but they're not. Connelly's father died when she was two, and she doesn't know how.

If Connelly is the Rapunzel of her school, Jeremy Cole is the crown prince, son of a great and rich New York City family. So when he sits down next to her at lunch one day, Connelly couldn't be more surprised. But Jeremy has a tragic secret of his own, and Connelly is the only one he can turn to for help. Together they form a council of two, helping each other with their homework and sharing secrets. As the pair's friendship grows, Connelly learns that it's the truth, not the secrets, that one must guard and protect. And that between friends, the truth, however harsh, is also beautiful.

This lovely and memorable debut by Alyssa B. Sheinmel contains many of the hallmark themes found in young adult literature—friendship, coming of age, finding a place to belong, and overcoming the death of a loved one. Emotionally moving from start to finish, The Beautiful Between introduces a strong new voice to the genre, a voice with a long future ahead of it.

The Beautiful Between is beautiful, more beautiful than I can say...it's a story of a girl whose lost her father...but it's much more than that, it's about finding a friend in an unlikely place, coming of age, and seeking out the truth even if it hurts more than the lies we tell ourselves.

Connelly is a beautiful character and I very much enjoyed being inside of her head, knowing her thoughts and feelings...and Jeremy well he's such a guy; I wish I had gotten to see more of him, and his sister Kate - Kate, such a beautiful spirit...such an old, amazing soul!

Not sure I can say more, this book holds with-in it secrets I hide, struggles with my feelings on Cancer, my thoughts on parental suicide...but it's beautifully told, with amazingly real characters...

I am sorry I can't say more, it's not within me – but I can share this and I hope it's enough to make you want to pick up this book - The Beautiful Between asked the hard questions, in a beautifully realistic way. It offered this mother of 2 a look at what life might be like for her kids if years ago she took, which some might call, “easy” way out.

Nothing in this life is easy and the choices we make each and everyday effect us and those around us in profound ways, even if we don't notice. The Beautiful Between explored some of these decisions – with real characters, and awkward situations.

I am still thinking about The Beautiful Between, and actually still asking myself questions – Still wondering what it was that lead Jeremy to break up with his X...I wonder if there will be a sequel? One thing, I have to mention, that drives me nuts about novels like this – NOT just this one – is that once the story is just beginning anew, the book ends; does that even make sense? Probably not...but I know you all have read books where, the characters find out a vital truth, or come to terms with something, only to have the book end, leaving you to decide what happens with the characters, right? This book is like that – and still I wanted more, I wanted to read...well – I can't tell you what I wanted to read about, with out spoiling it.

Anyway – Bottom Line – I really enjoyed The Beautiful Between, it's a story of great hope and of great love! A story of friendship and learning to forgive. Powerfully written! I give it 5 mushrooms.

The Beautiful Between
By: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
192 Pages
Published: May 11, 2010
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers