Review: Love Double Dutch

MaKayla's super excited about competing in the double dutch tournament this summer. She's hoping she and her team will make it to the finals. She's devastated when she learns that her parents are shipping her to North Carolina for the summer to live with her aunt and uncle. Her parents needs to figure out their relationship.

MaKayla isn't interested in spending the summer in the South. She doesn't want to live with her princess cousin for the summer. But there's nothing she can do about it.

She's surprised to learn that the camp in North Carolina has double dutch  - and even more surprised to learn that her cousin used to jump. Will MaKayla's summer be better than she ever expected?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - especially learning about double dutch. I loved MaKayla's attitude -she's tough and feisty. I loved her confidence and the way she stood up for her cousin Sally. I enjoyed her moments with Sally - from the beginning of the summer until they became friends. I also liked MaKayla's moments with Charlie. I loved the ending and how it all worked together. A sweet sporty book just perfect for middle grade readers.

Cover Thoughts: Amazing
Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: Grab this one for your public library and schools.

Review: For Keeps

Josie never knew her father, but in the grocery store, her single mother nearly has a heart attack when she sees her old high school sweetheart's parents.

Kate found out she was pregnant with Josie when she was 16. Paul moved away not knowing the whole story. Paul's always been the elephant in the room.

Now his parents have moved back to town.

Josie's half sacred and half hoping she might run into her grandparents. When her grandfather becomes a regular customer at the cafe she works at, she has a small opportunity for contact. Her best friend urges her to get to know him.

Josie's not she wants to open that door.

Just when she's freaking out about her family life, her mother meets a man. He quickly becomes part of their lives. Josie just wishes everything would go back to normal - including her relationship with her mother!

My Thoughts: This reminded me a lot of Gilmore Girls (which I'm REALLY missing!) I loved the relationship between Josie and Kate. I loved Kate's freak out moments. I liked Josie's limited interaction with her new family. I really liked Liz (Josie's best friend) and her two gay Dads were priceless. A fun contemporary novel for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Cover Thoughts: I'm not crazy about either cover. The hardcover looks like it could be a ghost story. The paperback cover looks like a light hearted romance. Neither of them match the story. (This is the paperback cover, which is better)

Source: My Library