Review Detail

Reader reviewed by librariane

Simone is an adopted sixteen year old who has lived a happy atheist life up until now--her birth mother wants to meet her. Suddenly
Simone's world is turned upside down when she agrees to get to know her birth mother. Rivkah is Jewish (originally an Orthodox Jew) and is
dying from cancer, but Simone is enjoying (mostly) getting to know her anyway. Simone also is dealing with changing friendships (one friend
is dating a guy no good for her, another is pining for a guy he met at camp and her younger brother seems to be growing up quicker than she
is), getting a crush and becoming more involved in extracurricular activities. Overall, this is a powerful book about a teenage girl questioning who she really is and what she believes. Simone is a well developed character--you see her stubborness at the beginning of the book (there is no God) and watch as her black and whites in life become gray (perhaps there is a God...but she's not completely convinced yet). Her development is believable and her relationship with the adults in her life is accurate (though sometimes disheartening when she harshly talks about her parents). Note: there is some strong language, frank talk about sex and some tough life situations. This felt a lot like a Meg Cabot book, but one level up with storyline, language and style.