Keep Holding On

Gr 8 Up—Inspired by the author's personal experiences with bullying, this novel encourages readers to "never, ever give up." Noelle's life is bad; her mother drinks and her neglect goes unchecked. The teen eats mustard and mayonnaise sandwiches for lunch, and the smell from her unwashed clothes earns her the nickname "Rotten Egg." Her position as coeditor of the school literary magazine and the company of her science teacher and friends help alleviate her misery. Noelle eventually begins to accept aid from the people who care about her. When incredibly cute Julian shows interest, Noelle has to find the courage to change her life. This includes ending a destructive relationship and opening up about what she endures at home. When the school social worker brings Noelle's mother in for questioning, the story begins to fall apart. The woman hints at remorse, yet remains deranged. The friends take over, supplying Noelle with all she needs, including clean clothes, food, and love. It's not a horrible ending, only one that might seem illusionary to students enduring bullying and abuse in real life. Colasanti's mission to help victims and encourage teens to make a positive difference in the world is clear from her letter to readers and the back matter, which includes a list of resources. This novel could be recommended to those who enjoyed Sonya Sones's What My Mother Doesn't Know (S & S, 2001) or Courtney Summers's Some Girls Are (St. Martin's, 2010).—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, NY