Simone Elkeles
I stumbled upon Simone Elkeles’ books shortly after Perfect Chemistry was released. I was browsing the book store and the cover appealed to me. It was on sale so I decided to check it out. I’m very glad that I did! I really enjoyed the story. It takes place in the Chicago area, which appealed to me. The characters were interesting and engaging. Elkeles has a way of taking a serious situation and working humor in that works. It doesn’t take away from the gravity of the situation but it gives hope and lets the reader breath a little easier.
Elkeles has written three “sets” of books:
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, How to Ruin my Teenaged Life, and How to Ruin your Boyfriends Reputation. Amy is a teen girl from Chicago. In the first book she is forced to spend her summer in Israel with a father she barely knows. She learns a lot about herself and her family through the experience and the books that follow. These books are hilarious… the funniest of all Elkeles books. The only one I haven’t read is How to Ruin your Boyfriends Reputation. I have the bind up of all three books so I WILL get to it soon!
Leaving Paradise and Return to Paradise Caleb went to juvie for a hit and run drunk driving accident. His twin sister’s best friend Maggie was seriously injured when she was hit by the car. On top of trying to get her life back to normal she has to deal with the fact that Caleb was released from juvie early. This means that they’ll be around each other again. Can they cope?
Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction (coming 2011) In Perfect Chemistry we meet Alex Fuentes. His father was killed in a gang related incident when Alex was younger. Alex is the man of the house and wants to protect his mother and two younger brothers. He’s in the gang so that his brothers won’t have to be. When Alex is paired up with Brittany (aka Little Miss Perfect) in chemistry neither one realizes just how much it will impact their lives. Rules of Attraction focuses on Carlos, the middle Fuentes brother and Chain Reaction is the youngest’s story. I can’t wait for it’s release!
Simone Elkeles also has a great website and some really fun videos to go with her books. My favorite is below but you can check them all out here.
I meet Ms. Elkeles at a young adult literature conference I attended. She was an engaging panelist with fun stories. She’s also an all around nice person! I highly recommend her books.
I Read Banned Books
I have one of these books sitting on my shelf. Not sure which one. I haven’t read any yet…not sure why. Hmmm, may have to rethink this. I’m your newest follower and a youth librarian too! Hope you come check out zee blog! 😉
~Jen
hmz1505
You should check it out! Obviously I like her 😉 I’m following your blog and I found you on Twitter 🙂
Leanna (Daisy Chain Book Reviews)
I’ve only read Perfect Chemistry so far and I totally loved it. Honestly, I would not have picked it up but I was sent it as a surprise review book. Now I can’t wait to read the next book. Did you see the cover for Chain Reaction? Pretty steamy!!
I like the sound of all of her books, I just haven’t gotten around to reading them yet. 🙂