Just Like Me chronicles the story of Julia, a girl who is lost in a sea of labels. This story doesn't shy away from the fact that adolescents deal with a lot of this in their lives, even from adults. If Julia was adopted from China, that makes her Chinese. Or at least it does in the eyes of everyone around her. Nevermind that she doesn't feel like that is her heritage, and wants to find her own place in the world. Nancy J. Cavanaugh takes us on a journey of self-discovery, and it's sweet.

I admit, Julia wasn't my favorite character at first. She's obstinate as an adolescent can be, especially when it comes to anything to do with her cultural background. However, as the story went on, I slowly started to see where Julia was coming from. To live in a world that tells you over and over again that you should identify as Chinese, when you were raised as anything but that, is definitely tough. This book deals a lot with the expectations that others push on us, and how they can sometimes feel stifling.

Truth be told, there's a lot of great lessons in this book. It pulls in characters who are adopted, fostered, and even children whose parents have split. I forsee a lot of young readers really connecting with this story. If it seems a bit juvenile in narrative sometimes, it's only because Nancy J. Cavanaugh really channels the adolescent age. A time of growth, and a time of turmoil,

This is a sweet read, that goes by quickly! I see this as a fabulous mother/daughter read too, since there's so much to talk about.

#JUST LIKE ME  4 STARS!  AVAILABLE 4/1/16  GREAT YA!!  @nancyjcavanaugh  @sourcebooks  This was a nice little YA book about being adopted. It also included children who were fostered and ones whose parents had separated. It helps those kids understand that they are not alone and that there are others out there that don't necessarily live with their real parents or both parents. I think it's good for all middle graders though, as well, because it teaches them about "different" families and helps them to see how the kids feel.

I think the author did a great job. The characters were definitely believable with a lot of teenage angst, but it wasn't so much that it turned me off. Actually, I finished reading the book with a good feeling because there were several lessons learned. And, I think these lessons were learned in an entertaining way, not a preaching way.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for approving my request and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Competition galore! Excitement was in the air for Beca and Avery, as they again are headed off for summer church camp. Julia is forced to go this year; her mother’s big idea. The three girls who were adopted from the same orphanage will be attending camp together and Julia agreed to journaling to their adoption agency while she was there. Julia takes this assignment seriously and her reflections to the questions were honest and sincere and when she writes down her own reflections in the journal, they give the readers a deeper understanding of the character of Julia.

Arriving at the camp, the girls discover that they will be bunking with their archenemy from the previous year and the competition does not cease.   Merridth and Vanessa have brought along a cousin, Gina which just adds to the tension inside the cabin. The camp has competitions and contests with each cabin competing again each other but White Oak cabin is having a hard time bonding. The girl inside White Oak, their bickering, it’s typical and it was real. I could see it and I could feel the tension in the air and unfortunately I loved it. Their counselor tried to stay out of it because she knew they had to work it out on their own and then there was one amongst them, which was even more trouble.   She was evil and I didn’t understand why but it added to the drama. These girls needed to pull it together if they wanted to win the competition this year but the clock was ticking.

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in exchange for an honest review.

 

If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook. But it's not.

--page 1

 

Everything in my life is old and recycled.

--page 2

 

Dad's motto: "If the Good Lord wanted us to throw everything away, he would've put a Dumpster right outside the Garden of Eden.

--page 3

 

Ratchet is 11 and she has always been homeschooled. Her mother died years ago and her father has been raising her alone. Since she was six, she has been helping her father with his job - he fixes cars in the garage. Her real name is Rachel, but no one calls her that. Her dad gave her the nickname because she reminds him of a ratchet, the way she helps make all his jobs easier. Ratchet doesn't like being different. She doesn't like that her father doesn't have a job where he wears a suit and goes to an office. She doesn't like being homeschooled. And she doesn't like never having any friends. This year, Ratchet has decided her life is going to change. She is going to make a friend.

This is a enjoyable story about a young girl trying to find her way. The story is told via entries in Ratchet's homeschool writing journal. Ratchet's voice is believable and quite relatable. She worries constantly that she is different and her father is different. She wonders about her mother. She wants to know more about her mother to maybe find out more about herself. And most of all she wants to find a friend. Since she doesn't go to school, making friends is harder than usual, but she is determined. I enjoyed reading Ratchet's story and I was rooting for her all the way. I wanted her to realize that people will like her for who she is and that she doesn't need to change for others.

Recommended to:

Middle grade girls (5th-8th). This is a fun story that I think young girls will relate to and enjoy. A quick, fun read with a positive female character.

I received this book from sourcebooks. Thanks again, Valerie!

I absolutely loved this book! Abigail and all her lists was hilarious. The graphics made it that much more endearing. Yes, it was YA but a little trip down memory lane never hurt anyone and I did tear up a little bit at the end. Ugh, hate it when that happens, tearing through this hard, bitter shell. Ha!!

This is definitely one to get the kiddos and to read yourself. I read it in less than 2 hours and it gave me a good feeling. Well worth the money for entertainment when anything leaves you in a "feel good" mood.