Jo Knowles

Read Between the Lines

Candlewick Press

 

 

 

 

From the publisher: 

"A gritty and unflinching portrayal of a day like any other, with ordinary traumas, heartbreak, and revenge."

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Reviews:

 

"With emotional explorations and dialogue so authentic, one might think Knowles isn't creating but channeling the adolescent mind. A fascinating study of misperceptions, consequences and the teen condition." —Kirkus (Starred Review)

 

"Wonderfully sincere and affecting… Knowles demonstrates how “the finger” can be a metaphor for empathy. A reminder that behind every rude gesture is a person with a story and that hearing that story will help each of us better understand our own. —The Boston Globe

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"With each story, readers learn more about who the characters are—their secrets, troubled family lives, crushes, and friendships—and how they relate to one another… a reminder to look past simplistic stereotypes, appearances, and projections... these interconnected stories create a powerful, complex whole " —The Horn Book

 

A must read for Knowles fans and those who love engaging, heart-felt stories with realistic characters that give us a glimpse not only into their worlds but our own. —YA Books Central (5 stars)

 

" Achingly truthful… Hand this one to fans of dramatic realistic fiction and those who enjoy slice-of-life novels" —School Library Journal

 

"… the idea of looking past an angry gesture to understand what led to it makes for an empathetic approach to understanding random hostility. Teens who read these stories will likely never see a raised middle finger again without wondering what the story is behind it." —Publishers Weekly

 

By examining characters from multiple angles, including their own points of view, Knowles makes every character if not truly likable, at least more sympathetic…. a thought-provoking, quietly powerful book" —VOYA

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"Issues of absent parents, conflicted sexuality, eating disorders, and various forms of abuse are dealt with succinctly but tenderly, and some nuances are subtle enough that multiple levels of reading are possible, with a twist at the end so understated you may miss it. —Booklist

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"The deeper you dig, the more Read Between the Lines gives. The interlocking voices explode with compassion and empathy."

—Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily Ever After

 

"Riveting, raw, and heartbreakingly real. Read Between the Lines took my breath away." —Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of the TTYL series

 

"Knowles offers a subtle plea for empathy that's as relevant to adult readers as to teens" —Seven Days Vermont

 

 

Awards:

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• The IndieBound Next Spring ‘15 List

• Finalist for The Vermont Book Award

• An ALAN Pick for February 2015

• A 2015 BBYA Nominee

• “9 Titles Adults Shouldn’t Miss” - Kirkus Reviews

• 2016 Texas Taysha List

• An Iowa City Public Library Best YA of 2015

• A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

• A CCBC Choice 2016

• The International Literacy Association's "Young Adult Choices 2016" list