In Between: A Katie Parker Production (Act I) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

It took less than a chapter for Katie Parker, the main character in Jenny B. Jones's new novel, In Between, to win me over completely. Sixteen-year-old Katie, now a ward of the state of Texas after her mom's recent imprisonment, says, "Knowing that your greatest achievement to date is becoming a dependent of an entire state can totally blow a girl's confidence." About the time Katie gets used to being at the Sunny Haven Home for Girls, she finds herself shipped out to foster parents who live in In Between, Texas. Now what kind of town would name itself In Between? And, have as its high school mascot a Chihuahua? Her new foster parents, James and Millie Scott, are nice enough people, in spite of the fact that Katie is shocked to find out James is the senior pastor of In Between Community Church. Now why would a family like that want her? Besides, she's heard the horror stories from the other girls at Sunny Have. Moving from one foster home to another--never staying in one place for long. Katie figures the sooner she can get herself sent back to Sunny Haven, the easier it will be on everyone. However, when her best attempts to get the Scotts to send her back only seem to strengthen their caring and support, Katie begins to realize that maybe her life can be something better than it has been. And James and Millie Scott are surprised to find that Katie might also have a lesson or two to teach them. With great supporting characters such as Mad Maxine, Millie Scott's "gum-smacking, energy-drink guzzling, wheelie-popping demon" of a mother, Jenny B. Jones has created a humorous and heart-touching book seen through the eyes of a foster kid on the outside looking in. Katie Parker will make you laugh out loud and, by the time you finish the last page, I have no doubt she will have won your heart as she did mine. -- Sheryl Root

Product Description

Unlike most kids, teenage Katie Parker never got a fair shot at a normal life. With a mother in jail and a missing-in-action dad, she's never known what it's like to truly be loved. Low on options and family members, she's soon shipped off to a foster home. Now in an unfamiliar town, Katie's rebellious attitude is at odds with her new family, school, and classmates. And after falling in with all the wrong people at school, things go from bad to really bad after she takes the blame for vandalizing the local performing arts theater. But in the midst of a dark situation, Katie finds light in the most unexpected places: through her new friendship with an eccentric senior, the commitment of her foster family, and a tragic secret that changed them forever. And as she inches closer to acceptance and forgiveness, she finds that God has been there all along.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: NavPress; First Thus edition (April 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600060986
• ISBN-13: 978-1600060984
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,365 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh out loud funny ... yet respectfully deals with the serious, July 15, 2007

By	C.J. Darlington "TitleTrakk.com Co-founder & ... - See all my reviews

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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Between is a hysterical read., August 31, 2008

By	Novel Teen Book Reviews (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Jones Has Produced a Winner, May 21, 2009

By	Kathleen Fuller (Ohio) - See all my reviews

From the very first page I was drawn into Katie Parker's story. Although she had a tough life, she never drowned in self-pity, always keeping her snarky sense of humor, even in the face of her quirky foster grandmother, Maxine. Jones has crafted an excellent YA novel that appeals far beyond its intended audience. This book is for anyone who enjoys a tender story carefully woven with laugh-out loud humor.