Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer - ADVISABLE


Picoult, Jodi and Samantha Van Leer Between the Lines, 352 pgs.  Simon Pulse, 2012.  $19.99  Content: Language: PG (1 swear; 4 God); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG. 
Delilah is a social outcast at school ever since she accidentally took out the head cheerleader in gym.  Delilah finds escape in reading and becomes especially drawn to a children’s fairy tale entitled, Between the Lines.  The main character from the fairy tale is Oliver, a prince who doesn’t have courage, but uses his smarts to save the princess.  Delilah feels a connection to Oliver, but what takes her awhile to figure out is that Oliver is also drawn to Delilah and wants desperately for her to help him escape the monotony of reliving the story over and over.  When Oliver finally gets Delilah’s attention, they begin working together to try and release Oliver from the story.  They face many obstacles, including the characters from the fairy tale and Delilah’s mother. 
This is a cute love story that has all the elements of a fairy tale.  It changes the way you look at characters in the books you read, the same way that Toy Story changes the way you look at your toys.  I am annoyed with the cover because I don’t think it will attract the kind of readers that would enjoy this story.  I know that Jodi Picoult is a big name among adults, but does 1/3 of the cover really need to be her name?  The lack of an engaging cover might cause most young adults to pass by it, which is sad. 
MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

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