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More copies of this ISBN:Sweetheartsby Sara Zarr
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:As children, Jennifer and Cameron were best friends. After Cameron disappears, Jennifer has lost the only person who understands her. Now in high school, she is shocked when he suddenly reappears, and they are both confronted with the drastically different paths their lives have taken. Little, Brown and Company Review:"This book about a former misfit who must face her troubled childhood is dark and engrossing, thanks to Zarr's (Story of a Girl) full-bodied characters and creative storytelling. Through well-timed flashbacks, thin, popular high school senior Jenna remembers being fat Jennifer, who along with her best friend, Cameron, endures teasing in elementary school and a hard home life (her single mother is almost never home, and his abusive father traumatizes both children). After Cameron moves away, Jennifer's cruel classmates tell her he has died, and her mother corroborates the story; readers may find it hard to believe the subsequent revelation that she has, in fact, lied. But they will appreciate how honestly Jenna reveals the toll it takes on her when Cameron suddenly reappears, transferring into her senior class (she starts stealing and binge-eating again); their rekindled connection forces her to decide if 'Jenna' is really who she wants to be. There is harsh material here, in the characters' presents as well as their pasts: Cameron is now an emancipated minor, and Jenna's family temporarily takes him in when he becomes homeless. Flashbacks to a horrifying episode with Cameron's father are revealed slowly and carefully, filling readers with a sense of dread, but ultimately her memories teach Jenna something surprising about her own strength. Other realistically flawed characters, from a mother who must learn truly to help her daughter to Cameron himself, round out this complex and bittersweet story of friendship and the meaning of 'unfinished business.' Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Review:"Zarr's sophisticated writing style, bouncing back and forth in time, teasing readers with further details, is wonderful. The main characters, and their unique bond, are well drawn and believable." School Library Journal Review:"This haunting and ultimately hopeful novel asserts what many teens feel acutely: that childhood experiences often leave indelible marks." Kirkus Reviews Review:"Jennifer makes hard decisions that hurt people in the process, but in this highly suspenseful novel, she finally discovers what true friendship means." KLIATT About the AuthorSara Zarr was raised in San Francisco, went to high school in Pacifica, California, and now lives with her husband in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the author of Story of a Girl and can be found on the web at www.sarazarr.com. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!
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