Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer

Publisher:
  Simon Pulse/Emily Bestler Books/Atira
Release Date:
  June 25, 2013
Market:
  Secular
Genre:
–Young Adult, Fantasy
Length:
–352 pages
My Rating: 
   3.5/5

BEFORE READING

 About This Book (from Amazon)

In this delightful companion novel to Off the Page, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and her daughter and cowriter, Samantha van Leer, present the YA novel that started it all! Filled with romance, adventure, and humor, the magic jumps off the page (literally) in a story you’ll never forget.

What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.


CRITIQUE

 I don’t clearly recall where or how I discovered that Jodi Picoult had written a YA book. But I was intrigued and immediately requested the book from my library. 

Picoult wrote this book with her daughter, Samantha van  Leer.  Samantha, at just 16-years-old, was the originator of the book concept.  I do think it’s good to keep this fact in mind.  Picoult and van Leer managed to collaborate on something that made it to the #1 spot on the NY Times  bestseller list. 

I don’t know that I would say the book is quite that good.  I think Picoult’s name carried it to a certain degree.  You can certainly feel the two authors’ different voices at times.  However, overall, I think the book was well executed. 

I started out reading an e-book version and quickly switched to the paperback copy.  I wanted to make sure to fully experience all of the amazing drawings and text changes (both font and colors).  I do think those added to the overall book experience.

I loved the first four pages of the book.  They did hook me as a reader and draw me in.  From there on through, I was at times deeply engaged in the story line and at other times less enthralled.  But throughout I wanted to know what Delilah and Oliver would try next, how it would work out, etc.

Even though the book jumps between modern life with Delilah and the storybook world of Oliver, I was never lost or confused as far as what was going on.  I think the transitions were well done and clearly noted at chapter breaks.

Delilah, I believe, is more fully developed that the other characters.  She is a very realistic high school girl struggling with fitting in, friendships, and home life.  I was rooting for her the whole time.

This book is great for its target audience:  7^th grade and up.  I even think it would be okay for readers a bit younger.  There is some kissing but really nothing concerning or offensive in the text. 

I didn’t realize until writing this review that a sequel is due out this summer.  I will definitely be picking that one up to read as well.

Pros

·         Cute, creative story concept ideal for the target audience

·         Beautiful illustrations and type

·         Engaging characters

Cons

·         At times, the author voice seemed to shift