The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Sheinmel, Alyssa B. The Beautiful Between, 182 p. Knopf (Random), 2010.  Language: R (30 swears, 7 “f”).  Connelly, a junior, feels like Rapunzel – stuck in tower built of concrete, tests and expectation and no good outcome in sight.  Then Jeremy, the “crown prince” of her school befriends her and the two form a close bond built on a shared sense of loss and a need for a new perspective.  Everything that Connelly knew about her family, or refused to acknowledge about herself, will be challenged and the two will either forge a deep lasting bond or avoid each other forever.  I found the swear words very disappointing – a jarring intrusion without purpose in an otherwise gorgeous book.  I was very invested in Connelly and Jeremy’s story and I am very sorry that I can’t recommend it to a wider audience.  HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher