Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown
Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he'll forget about her while he's away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest she text him a picture of herself - sans swimsuit - to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits "send."
But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone - until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo - and didn't look.
Acclaimed author Jennifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words... it doesn't always tell the whole story
Publishes in US: May 21st 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Ya contemporary
Source: library
Series? No
Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble
IndieBound BookDepository.com
Find online: ~site Twitter blog.
I enjoyed this emotional book by Jennifer Brown. Thousand Words deals with a touchy subject, and the consequences of a decision, that led to criminal charges, a reputation ruined, and bullying.
I especially enjoyed the friendship that developed between Ashleigh and Mack. He was surrounded by mystery and I liked that. I also appreciated that he wasn't smokin hot, but that he actually had a personality and stood up for what it right. I just couldn't imagine what had put him in the community service program because he didn't seem the type.
The book slowed a bit for me because of the jumps in time. I was easily able to tell what time frame we were in because of the chapter headings, and even the demeanor of Ashleigh. She grew and changed so much in this one that you can pretty much automatically tell by her emotional state and her thoughts.
Books similar to Thousand Words :(links go to my review) Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman, Exposed by Susan Vaught, Bitter End by Jennifer Brown
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Glad it was easy to keep track of the jumps in time-I really admire writers who can do that so easily as I've read books where it was very confusing and it made me dislike the book.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the friendship aspect of the book :)
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
I've read several of her books and I think she does teen issues really well. I'm looking forward to this one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty serious issue and it's great to see books addressing it. Glad you liked it :)
ReplyDeleteDespite some pacing issues, I'm glad you enjoyed this book overall. I haven't heard much about it personally, though I'm not sure if it's for me. Still, lovely review, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an overall good read and is totally new to me. I am glad you enjoyed it despite a few bumps.
ReplyDeleteThis one's up next for me. I think. Readers have had lots of generous words for Thousand Words and I love the premise. I'm glad you enjoyed it even if you didn't love it.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a great book for teen girls! Or anyone for that matter who texts or emails something they don't want everyone to see.
ReplyDeleteNo question?
ReplyDeleteI always am extremely careful with what I say in writing, and with good reason. This book sounds great, and I love that it conveys a message.
ReplyDeleteThe friendship sounds interesting and I'm glad the slow parts didn't bother you so much.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this one is for me. At least not on my ereader. I can see me throwing the book a time or two. I hate bullying and so know this will get my blood pumping! Love that you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intense reading. This seem to be an usual issue lately :(
ReplyDeleteAfter reading so many articles in the news about sexting, I'm really curious to see where this goes. Glad you enjoyed it, great review!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see that you found this an enjoyable read. I was actually thinking about whether or not I'd read this and I now have my answer. Thanks, Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer when the guy is not completely hot, but becomes beautiful through his personality. This is everyone's worst nightmare I think, silly girls who do this kind of thing. Lovely review Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see the book tackling a subject that is happening so often these days. So glad you enjoyed it! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteMack sounds REALLY sweet, and I love that the relationship between he and Ashleigh was nicely done. Honestly, I've had enough of insta-love to last me a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That synopsis grabbed me. We recently had something very similar happen in my hometown where every single high school student at all 8 schools got the pictures. It's such a horrible thing to have happen. This deff sounds like and interesting read.
ReplyDeleteGreat review
Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
This topic just makes me sad. I don't know if I could read it. But I have seen most people like it. That's good.
ReplyDeleteWait you're saying that this boy is not an Apollo and still is main character and an amazing soul! That sounds as real as we'll get in YA! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis is an important issue nowadays. People even have revenge porn websites where they get back at their exs by posting naked pictures of them! Once it is out there is no getting back so better to just not do it.
ReplyDelete