J. T. Dutton

Stranded is one of the weirdest novels I’ve ever read, but I mean that in the best way possible. With religious and moral-filled characters involved in a shocking, worldwide scandal, Stranded is like a Lifetime movie on drugs. Once again, best way possible.

Kelly Louise was so entertaining to read; sex-obsessed at fifteen, sarcastic, stubborn and way too outspoken and obnoxious for the tiny town of Heaven, Iowa. Her arrival at her Nana’s house sheds a new kind of light on her seemingly show more perfect cousin, Natalie, and her own mother’s feelings concerning her.

The book wasn’t fast-paced or exciting by any means, but for me, that didn’t matter because I was more involved with Kelly Louise’s struggle to keep her cousin’s secret to herself. Kelley Louise is very eccentric and not afraid to go for what she wants - whether it be a boy who is obviously in love with her cousin, or the jerk-off stoner from next door. I felt like her wanting to tell was a hot and cold thing - sometimes it was for mature reasons, sometimes for immature. But I just found it part of the Kelley Louise charm.

Overall, this book really entertained me. Though there’s no intensifying mystery or swoon-worthy romance, I definitely think you should all pick this one up! It will probably be the most unique novel you’ve ever read. And yes, best way possible. show less

I don't have much experience with small-town Iowa, but I really loved the strange reaction that Kelly Louise stirred up in Heaven. Usually I see people falling over their feet to impress the "city girl" in books or maybe coolly look at her and deem her approachable, but for Kelly to remain an outsider was a new and interesting approach. Stranded is more of a real-life piece of work - no over-the-top drama, no sizzling romance - just honest-to-goodness life and what comes of it.

Reviewed by Melanie Foust for TeensReadToo.com

Kelly Louise is forced to move away from her friends and fabulous life in Des Moines temporarily, according to her mother, to go live with her grandmother and her completely perfect cousin, Natalie. She doesn't really know why they're moving to Heaven, Iowa. Her mom might have gotten behind on the rent or gotten sick of the job she always complains about.

Nothing big, or so Kelly Louise believes. If anything, she'll simply die of boredom.

However, show more Heaven will not live up to its namesake. Shortly before Kelly Louise moves there, a scandal had broken out. A baby was abandoned in a cornfield. The baby is dead, and no one knows to whom it belongs. Who could leave a babe, hours old, alone in a field? What kind of person could do that?

A secret that big can't stay hidden forever, and soon Kelly Louise will long for the days when her largest problem was simply trying to fit in at school.

The mystery in STRANDED is by far the best part of the book. There are so many possible scenarios this book could follow, and I found myself continually guessing which path the story would take. The characters are multi-layered and are all more, or less, than what they appear on the surface.

Although a sudden change of tone in the final chapters of the book will take a little getting used to, overall, STRANDED is an intriguing book that follows Kelly Louise's journey of learning how to cope when everything you know changes. show less

Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com

Scotty was sent away to Stillwater, a boarding school for boys, so that his mom could spend more time on her book and focus on speaking about the sex lives of others.

Scotty just wants to have a normal family: a mom who cares about him, a dad who isn't changing every few years, and maybe even a sibling or two. However, he's stuck with knowing that all of the boys at his school fantasize about his mother - and might even be able to see her nude, if show more she goes ahead with her photoshoot plans.

Though he might not have a family to rely on, Scotty can always turn to Jerry from The Grateful Dead in times of need. On Parent's Weekend, Scotty finds himself forced into a car with a gun by his roommate, Todd, and they are off to the Freedom show!

FREAKED has a really good premise and I definitely enjoyed the characters. Music plays a main part in this novel, as it gives Scotty an outlet, along with drugs, to truly feel and express his emotions. Most of the story is Scotty's past memories and thoughts on life, which were interesting, but I was also waiting for more to happen throughout the book.

Overall, though, this is a coming-of-age story that has a lot of life truths. show less