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 SATs 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.

I love the summary of this book! It makes the book sound, well... Beautiful. I think what I like best about it is that although it sounds like Connelly and Jeremy will have a romantic future to gether, it starts out as friendship. That's lovely.

The Beautiful Between* will be released on May 11, 2010 from Knopf Books for Young Readers. It will be Alyssa B. Schienmel's debut novel.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.

*Amazon Affiliate Link

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM    

Labels: waiting on wednesday