In Between (A Katie Parker Production)

Safe books with a good message. You won’t have to worry about what your kid is ready. Very wholesome and funny.

I found this book in my mailbox and could not remember how it got there, but started reading. I soon realized it was a teen genre book but I liked the air of the main character so I continued reading, though not all in one sitting.I usually enjoy young adult fiction for its life lessons and "pull no punches" reality regarding I've and people. This is more Teen Christian Fiction. As a recently retired social worker, I found the character of Katie to be much more sheltered than a real, live 16 year old who had endured what the character of Katie had gone through. I enjoyed the story and cracked up at the child's wit, but found zero believability in nearly the whole story.Sure, kids in Katie's situation do find their way in the world and can be helped. I believe in the spiritual principles of Christianity, and I believe in prayer and miracles. I don't think it could happen the way it did in this story. Real life would be much grittier, harder, with more emotional and social obstacles to overcome.But it was funny; it was good clean fun. If you are looking for a teen read that is wholesome as fresh milk, this would be your book.No typos, no bad punctuation, or bad writing. Professionally authored.

First I have noticed my reviews veer off from the norm in that I focus more on writing techniques than story line: I don't want to spoil it for a possible reader. And I see I am way in the minority for reviews on this story, most being four or five stars and really enthusiastic: maybe I'm wierd, terribly old fashioned, or just a grouchy old curmudgeon. Or maybe I was having a bad day and needed a lala land story.Well I did stick it to the end and that should say something. But it wasn't one of my better reads. The subject of foster care is a serious one and I guess writer Jenny Jones wanted to lighten the load with a larger one of comic relief: which is not a bad thing in itself, but in this particular case the edgy, sarcastic voice of the mc, Katie Parker, bothered rather than made me laugh. Probably teens do talk this way nowadays and think in this voice, but being the idealist rather than realist this just wasn't my cup of herb tea. Even though some of the rave reviews claimed it for any age I found it to be targeted to the younger generation. Millennials?Believability was also an issue, both for some of the characters as well as scenes. For example the Grandma, Mad Maxine (conjured up Phyllis Diller), felt slapstick as did her dialogue and many of the scenes with her.And okay, Ebola bird flu? Too far fetched even for a malingering teen to come up with: did she really think it would work or was she speaking tongue in cheek. A drama queen? I couldn't tell. Then there was the foster mom's spiritual light bulb moment at the end- as if that was God's plan all along, also a stretch and disappointing. His heart and a Momma's are bigger than that I think. A better ending, please. (Hoping that is corrected in the next book in the series.)Three stars for Katie finding her gift is drama and capitalizing on that and for overcoming a tragic start in life as well as she did.I dislike giving negative reviews: would far rather encourage a writer, but since mine is in the minority and also a matter of personal taste maybe some of the points will be useful if only because no one else brought them up.

This book was cute, fairly well written, and made me laugh quite a few times. I gave it a three out of five stars because Katie sounded like a middle-schooler even though she was supposed to be in tenth grade. Also because while I understand that Katie has trust issues because she’s a foster child, I felt that some of her actions were downright rude. Otherwise, she was a good main character, realistic, and relatable.Katie has trust issues, hang-out-with-the-wrong-crowd issues, some behavioral issues, and issues with people that serve God. She’s very skeptical of the people she’s living with, apparently, James, is a pastor at a church, Millie, seems suspiciously enthusiastic about Katie’s arrival, and their dog, Rocky, looks like he wants to lick her to death. There’s not a single thing that’s shallow about Katie, but she has a whole lot to understand. I enjoyed her personality and how she meddles in things just enough without causing (too much) harm. I loved her sarcastic thought-process and her quick-witted responses as well as how she knew when to stop talking and when to start. She had a type of attitude that wasn’t disrespectful but still had a smart-alecky tang to it. Katie was full of different aspects that made her who she is and Jones wrote her well.Millie and James were interesting too, very active in Katie’s life once she joined their family and surprisingly honest towards Katie with touchy subjects. They were realistic as well, sharing meaningful glances and the occasional, yet heated, fight.Did I forget to mention Maxine? Maxine made this book have spunk and she’s my favorite character. Maxine is a slightly extremely eccentric grandma that has too much confidence for her own good, yet connects with Katie. Her ways may seem a little kooky, but her heart is in the right place. She doesn’t accept Katie’s sass, but she gives it out in generous servings.I appreciated the non-believer point of view as well. Despite Katie being in a Christian home, I didn’t feel like James, Millie, or anyone else were pushing God on her, but rather just letting her experience Him however she did. A few mentions about faith here, a few encouraging words to get her to pray (and the way she prays is cool and very teenager-like), and a few youth group meetings and that was all. There wasn’t any condemnation or ostracizing, it was very well done.All in all, the plot was interesting and very relaxed and it was enjoyable to read.

I absolutely loved this book, even though I think it is really aimed at teens. Katie Parker is a tough-talking, hurt and damaged teen who is still appealing and very human. She finds a foster family, after being in care, when she is sixteen years old and she expects nothing but rejection. To her horror, her foster parents turn out to be a pastor and his wife. She learns to love them, however, as well as learning a lot of life lessons. Her new family have secrets and problems of their own and they, too, have lessons to learn and healing to find. The characters are well-drawn, especially the more eccentric of them.There is absolutely nothing sentimental or preachy about this story, which engaged me from the first page, even though its Christian message is clear. I think my thirteen year old granddaughter would love it - and I'd rather like to read the other Katie Parker novels myself.

I've chosen the five * rating for a book I don't normally selectPage turner from start to finish and not one swear word, murder scene or sexual inuendoYes, that surprised me although I soon forgot about all that as I got further into the bookDisallusioned sixteen yr old girl leaves a care home to become a foster child to a pastor and his wifeI will let you read it for yourself but thoroughly enjoyed the book by Jenny B Jones.

When I bought this book I had no idea what it was about but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Katie is very unwillingly taken to live with a new foster family in a small town. She’s not had the best start in life and consequently has trust issues but slowly she finds her place both in the family and in the town. The characters are well drawn and in believable and some of the passages are very funny. It’s light hearted and fun and I recommend it to anyone looking for a pick me up.

This started well but it got a bit annoying after a while. The 16 year old central character was quick witted and funny so came across as a very intelligent girl. But she did some very childish things. I suppose teenager readers would find it more entertaining but the blurb did not indicate that the story was written for the younger reader.

In BetweenPleasant light read, girl from care home goes to live with Christian foster parents. I enjoyed the wit and humorous style of the author. Even though written for teenagers, I was engrossed to discover what Katie did next. I though Frances was too perfect to be realistic. But everyone would want her as their best friend. Maxine must be the choice of your favourite foster grandmother. Thoroughly entertaining read. I have bought book two of the series. I recommend this first book.