#16thingsithoughtweretrue by Janet Gurtlet #FMEGifts14
Heart attacks happen to other people #thingsIthoughtweretrue
When Morgan’s mom gets sick, it’s hard not to panic. Without her mother, she would have no one—until she finds out the dad who walked out on her as a baby isn’t as far away as she thought…
Adam is a stuck-up, uptight jerk #thingsIthoughtweretrue
Now that they have a summer job together, Morgan’s getting to know the real Adam, and he’s actually pretty sweet…in a nerdy-hot kind of way. He even offers to go with her to find her dad. Road trip, anyone?
5000 Twitter followers are all the friends I need #thingsIthoughtweretrue
With Adam in the back seat, a hyper chatterbox named Amy behind the wheel, and plenty of Cheetos to fuel their trip, Morgan feels ready for anything. She’s not expecting a flat tire, a missed ferry, a fake girlfriend…and that these two people she barely knew before the summer started will become the people she can’t imagine living without.
I don’t often read Young Adult titles. Mostly because nobody seems to be able to capture teenagers realistically. This is absolutely not the case with 16 Things. I would even go as far as to say that I think that although this is a story about a teen, it is not a story about teenagers and carries a message that most people could benefit from.
Morgan, the protagonist, is somehow just so likeable despite all her flaws. She so desperately wants to be loved; by a father,and by friends. She convinces herself that she doesn’t really need anything more than her twitter followers. We follow her through mistakes, and cheer her on, hoping to see her come out on top despite all the eye-opening trials she is put through.
Amy as a character really develops from this big-mouthed, awkward girl at the beginning of the story into this completely compelling and lovable character. She was truly the catalyst of so many changes in Morgan.
There is a romantic sub-plot going on with Adam but it in no way takes over the story. I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth of this story and completely caught off guard by the twist at the end.
16 things is an entertaining and engaging read; I for one will be thinking more carefully about my own social media usage and putting aside more time with those I love.
About Janet Gurtler
A Rita Award Finalist and Crystal Kite Award Finalist, Janet Gurtler’s young adult books have been chosen for the JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION and as BEST BOOKS FOR TEENS from the Canadian Children’s Book Center.
Janet lives in Okotoks Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce. She is addicted to chocolate and the internet.
Buy it:
Purchase from Amazon or from a local bookstore near you for only $10.36
Connect with Raincoast Books on Twitter for updates on more great books!
That sounds like a great book for tweens and teens!!
Sounds like an interesting book!
I am in between books at the moment but I would pick it up and have a look see 🙂
Putting this on my teen’s book list and will make a great stocking stuffer
This sounds like a read my daughter would love. Thanks for sharing.
I fully admit that I pretty much only read Young Adult and New Adult titles. I love them. This one sounds like one I would have on my re-read list pretty quickly after reading the first time. Thanks for the review. – Katy
sounds like a good read for the teens
Sounds like a great read, when I’m in the mood for a quick read sometimes I’ll grab a YA novel, a lot of them are really well written
My step daughter is the perfect age for this book and it sounds like something she would really enjoy. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
Sounds like a nice read, my kids are not old enough for this but sounds like one I would read!
This sounds like an interesting read for teens. I think I might even want to read it myself.
This soubds like an interesting read.
Great book for young people. I will check it out.
This sounds like a book my daughter would love. I will have to get her a copy for Christmas.
This sounds like a great read and something I would like to add to my reading list! Love that its available on paperback!
I have so many friends who read YA. I haven’t dabbled much, but this sounds like a great reason to start!
This sounds like it could be a great read for teenagers or young adults, I may look into it for my oldest.
This would be a great read for my SD. She’s getting into books and we’re trying to steer her toward the YA section to help with her reading comprehension.
What a neat book. It makes me want to develop a hashtag and write away!
A friend actually just mentioned this book to me yesterday, so it’s funny that I stumbled upon this post this morning. Looks like a great one, and I’m thinking I may have to pick it up for my 13 year old nieces!
I wonder if this would be an ok book for my daughter. She might be a little below the reading level though.
Sounds like a good read for Isa. A perfect gift to add to her stocking items.
With the cold weather, I am reading up a storm. Sounds like my kind of book!
Sounds like a great premise for this day and age when we seem to live and die by social media!
I need to purchase a few copies for teens in my life. Thanks for the recommendation.
I think I just found the perfect Christmas gift for my niece
Hmm sounds like an interesting book that I would learn from.