NCLA Review - As a senior in high school, Skylar (both beautiful and popular) should have no major problems, other than deciding where she will go to college. An unfortunate experience at a party just before school starts, and her younger sister’s sharing of a secret creates tension to move the plot along. To make matters worse, a new family with boys moves in down the street. The dialogue of the characters is appropriate and the events that take place are plausible and realistic. Skylar and the other characters will hold the interest of high school aged readers, especially those trying to discover who they are and how they are to enter the adult world of responsibility and identity. Church librarians can feel comfortable recommending this book as the language is appropriate and without slang and the well written, fast moving plot is full of excitement with neither violence nor sex scenes. Rating: 3 —SV ( )

Respectable, Well-written Fiction

Me, Just Different
By Stephanie Morril
Pub. Date: July 2009
5 out of 5 stars
PG - Sexual References, Alcohol Abuse, and Attempted Rape. These things were not graphic, just mentioned in the book (that is why I didn‘t rate it PG-13). But, because of the abundance of these mentions, I would suggest this book to ages 14 and up.
Recommended

Synopsis from BarnesandNoble.com: “Welcome to the world of Skylar Hoyt, a high school senior whose exotic Hawaiian looks have propelled her to the height of the "in" crowd, but who's no longer sure that's where she really fits. New friends, old friends, a reluctant romance, and a family crisis swirl around Skylar as she tries to keep it together and figure out who she really wants to be.”

Revell continues to surprise me with respectable, well-written fiction for girl teens that include great role models and realistic teen scenarios.

Skylar was like a layered cake. The outside icing seems sweet, happy, and carefree. But the inside layers are full of guilt, sadness, and stress. By looking at the cake, you couldn’t tell what’s hidden underneath. Not until you cut into it. And that is what Connor did. He opened up Skylar’s heart and saw the scared, raw emotions inside. And he wanted more than anything to help her heart heal.

There was only a vague view into Skylar’s conscience, in the beginning, allowing only a slight visibility as to why she held so much guilt. As her life grew more confusing and messed up, snippets of information about her past slowly, but steadily, revealed. These tidbits of info lent a door into her past, allowing me, the reader, to better understand her reasoning and heart. Skylar was complex, both in heart and mind, making her an increasingly interesting character.

The underlining message of growth and renewal was very well cultivated. It unfolded gradually and completely.

Me, Just Different was more than just a quick, fun read. It was a young adult book with substance and responsibility, which is sadly becoming a rare thing in young adult books.

Date Reviewed: August 10th, 2009

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In her senior year of high school, Skylar loves the idea of being in love, but she does not necessarily love her boyfriend. She makes some poor choices and surrounds herself with some of the wrong crowd. Her group of friends are backbitters who don't know the meaning of loyalty.This is a book about the complex problems teens face; the redeeming feature is how Skylar finds her way through the mess in her life. I recommend it for older teens. ( )

This story was authentic and real. I loved everything about it, especially how teen girls really are to each other and how guys don't get it. Plus, I cried during one powerful scene. That was awesome. This is making my favorite fiction for 2009 list. ( )