Customer Reviews

In Between: A Katie Parker Production (Act I)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Between is one of a few novels I've read where I've actually cracked up every time I read it ... and on every other page. I kid you not.

But not only is In Between laugh-out-loud funny, Jenny manages to weave serious issues into her stories right alongside the humor. And somehow it meshes beautifully. That takes skill. In Between is a YA novel, but it can be appreciated by all ages. In fact, My Dad read it and liked it just as much as I did. My thirty-something friend did as well. It isn't every day that a book comes along that can resonant with such a diverse age range.

Whether you're a teen or not, Katie Parker is a girl we can all relate to. There's something universal about the challenges she faces. We all want to belong somewhere. We all want to be loved. We all need meaning in our lives.

--C.J. Darlington

The Katie Parker Production Series is an amazing one. This book will make you laugh, cry, && feel emotionally attached to the characters throughout the whole book. If you are looking for a fast, clean, wholesome, witty read, than the Katie Parker series is for you. I read all three books in the series & loved them all. These books deal with real issues that many people go through, && even though it has Christian aspects, its not sterotypical at all. A great read of a girl whose story will stay with you for a long time.

I haven't laughed so hard from reading a book ever. Jenny B. Jones' debut novel, In Between, is a hysterical read.

Katie Parker's mom is in prison, and Katie is shipped off to live with pretend-o-parents, James and Millie Scott in the small town of In Between, Texas . When Katie discovers her new foster dad is a pastor, she dresses Goth for the first day of school, certain Millie won't let her out of the house. Her plans backfire and Katie is not only forced to go to school with black fingernails, but ends up sitting at the Goth table at lunch, seeing as that's where she looks to fit in.

Unfortunately, a couple of her new friends are not the best influence, and Katie unknowingly is recruited for a midnight vandalism jaunt to the local vintage theater. Katie is the only teen nabbed by the coppers, who take her down to the station and inform her that the Scotts are the owners of the theater. Humiliated, Katie waits for her foster parents to send her packing. They don't, however, and Katie experiences some awesome tough love for the first time in her life.

Katie struggles to adapt to her new, strange world, which includes church, smart friends, a massive dog, and a crazy foster grandma who rides a bicycle built for two. She tries out for the school play and falls for a cute and troublesome senior guy. Her new friend doesn't approve, foster granny doesn't approve, but Katie's of the opinion that what the Scott's don't know won't hurt them. It's a good thing God is watching out for Katie Parker, even though she doesn't have a clue.

It's one comical situation after another with Katie Parker, whose fun, sarcastic voice keeps you turning the pages so fast they catch fire. This is a must read for teen girls...and girls of any age! Looking forward to book two titled, On the Loose: A Katie Parker Production, Act 2.

Highly recommended.

While I am a big suspense reader, every so often I like picking up a book that will make me laugh from start to finish. In Between achieved that desire to the fullest! From the first chapter, Katie's personality and dry sense of humor had me grinning from ear to ear. Be prepared to get many weird looks from people around you as you all but roll in laughter, but this book was sooo worth looking like a fool. LOL!

Jenny B. Jones did an amazing job at writing the main character, Katie. Nothing about Katie Parker is shallow! Wow! Maybe it's because I'm a teen myself and could totally relate and understand Katie. Her exaggerated style of communicating and thinking was hilarious! With that said, I admit that there was a few times I wished Katie would be serious. Maybe it's just me, but the constant flow of exaggeration and dry humor got a wee bit old once in a while...but then she would say something that totally cracked me up and I'd be laughing all over again! So be forewarned, this Katie doesn't have a serious bone in her body! :-P

The other characters in In Between were also well written and memorable. I loved all the different layers her foster parents had that Katie slowly pulled back as the story progressed. Maxine, to me, was a bit of an overkill. Not in a bad way, but I didn't see her as very realistic. Frances was lots of fun, though her story wasn't exactly finished when the book ended. Wonder how it will continue in the next book! With Jenny's vivid and bold writing style, she brings the small town of In Between, Texas to life through the voice of Katie Parker.

I would recommend this book to teen girls of any ages. Not guys (if I guy would pick up a book that so obviously has "teen girl" written all over it. My brother wouldn't get within ten feet of it!). There's a lot of girl-related crude humor, but if you're a girl, it's nothing that extreme. While shopping Katie gets overly excited about a push-up bra and pants that make her look like she actually has a butt. There's mention of Katie asking her foster mom for tampons and towards the end she sticks a bunch of tissues inside her bra right before a play so she can fit her costume. There's also a cross-dresser at her school that she hangs out with in the first part of the book (totally weird, if you ask me!) Like I said before, I personally don't think it would be too much for a teen girl to read. But that's just me.

In Between easily got 5 stars from me. Not only was it a fun read, but the lesson's Katie learns throughout the book are also really good. Addressing the subjects of life as a foster kid, hanging with the wrong crowd, and a wayward child, there are many things to be learned in Katie's world. I highly recommend this to any reader who needs a good, lighthearted story that is sure to make you laugh.

I reviewed this book for the publishers, NavPress. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

This book is full of laughs, love, and for all ages! I read this with my mom and we laughed out loud in some parts. You must get this book! It's something to treasure forever. Katie Parker isn't just a character in a book, she will be a friend of yours forever.

Although I'm not a teen anymore, I am an avid reader of Christian Fiction, and since this author was local, I decided to try it out. I'm so glad that I did! The book was much more interesting than your typical Christian Fiction, and I could not wait to the sequel. Highly recommend.

This book is amazing for the young adult reader! It is well written, great story line, and HILARIOUS! I have read all the Katie Parker series books and most of the other works by Jenny B. Jones. I love the Katie Parker series!

This is a story about Katie Parker, a teen who is placed in the foster care system because her mother was sent to prison. When a foster family agrees to take care of her she leaves a children's home where she feels loved and faces the unfamiliar. The book is filled with a lot of humor, which I think Katie uses to help her cope with the unknown and the pain of what happened to her.

I connected pretty well with Katie's character in this novel because I know what it's like to have at least one replacement parent, although Katie had two. I liked hearing her additional comments after she would say something, they were thoughts that she probably wanted to say but realized it was better to keep silent instead of saying them. I also loved reading the parts in the book where Katie was involved with performing arts.

This book gives a good view of what it's like for a teenager in the foster care system. I recommend this book to teens, congregational leaders, foster care workers, and anybody else that works and interacts with children and teenagers who are part of the foster care system so that they will be able to understand them and what they are going through better.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NavPress for this review.

Even though I am not a teenager I really enjoyed reading this book There is much benefit from learning that all ages of people and all types of people can be friends and can help us through that struggles of our lives.

Although Katie, the main character, was rebellious, chose the wrong friends at times and avoided friends who would have had a good influence on her, her foster parents continued to support her in a firm and structured environment. They did not abandon her as she feared.

The book also showed that people who seem to have it all together, may, in reality, have problems with which they could use help.

The one flaw that kept popping out was the use of prepositions to end sentences. Since the book is aimed at teenagers grammar and sentence structure should be a really high priority.


*I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

This book, In Between by Jenny B. Jones, begins with Katie telling the reader, "I'm what you call an orphan, I guess. I'm officially a ward of the state of Texas. Knowing that your greatest achievement to date is becoming a dependent of an entire state can totally blow a girl's confidence." (p.9)
Katie is at a girl's home for a total of six months before being shipped out to foster care or as she calls them "pretend-o-parents."
One can't help but love Katie. She's funny, quirky and she's a survivor!
Ms. Smartly, the director of said girls home, tells Katie that Mr. & Mrs. Scott will be her foster parents. Katie tries to talk Ms. Smartly out of sending her to the Scotts but Katie goes....Katie is impressed with the pink room that Mrs. Scott has prepared for her. She can't help but like the Scott's!
Then Katie meets Maxine (aka foster grandma)! The most outrageous senior citizen in the history of the world! Boy! Can this woman eat!
Katie is funny so when she decides she doesn't want to go to school Millie (Mrs. Scott) asks, "What are your symptoms?"
Katie instantly thinks, "My symptoms? Let's see, fear, embarrassment, regret, and the strong desire to morph into someone else." (p.174) Katie goes to school.
The Scott's introduce Katie to church. She seems to enjoy getting to know what church is all about and learning about God. Then Katie finds out why Mrs. Scott is so sad....the mystery behind the tears. And God is always for us not against us!
This is one of those reads that gives us a glimpse into the life and times of a foster kid~the emotion, the feelings of aloneness, and being cared for by a stranger(s)! I loved this teen fiction read!
*This book was provided for review by NavPress*