Matt Foster is despondent over the recent death of his brother who was killed in Iraq. This fictionalized account explores the trauma of coping with his brother’s death and the awareness Matt gains as he learns of his brother’s secret life.

Heartbreaking and deeply emotional, Personal Effects tugged at my heart-strings and left me in a pool of tears and mush by tackling a sensitive issue and narrating the story in Matt's voice.

Awkward Matt who is still grieving his brother by using his fists. Frightened Matt who could barely stand his ground with his abusive father and pass Junior year. And finally, Gritty Brave Matt who could finally take in the secrets his brother kept from him all these years and unclutch the tight grip his dad had on him and be a Man. And as bonus, even get the girl of his dreams.

A coming-of-age novel I'm not ready to forget yet. ( )

Amazing book. A book written by a woman but so good at represent men ( )

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, but I'm not sure I would have liked it as much in print. It is great to get a sibling's perspective of dealing with the death of a soldier, and Kokie seems to nail the male perspective as well (not being a boy, I can't say for sure, but it feels authentic). The added element of the mystery of TJ's secret life adds a richness to the story that can be appreciated by a wider audience than those who would only gravitate toward this book because of the war/grief aspect. As always, Nick Podehl is outstanding, and this production certainly deserved to be in the Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults in 2013. ( )

There are more and more YA books coming out with military themes and this one is a stellar example. It's historical in the sense that it is set in 2006 but is current in many of its themes. By the end of it, I was definitely weepy. A very good read. ( )