After bouncing around in foster homes for most of her childhood, seventeen-year-old Tessa Jacobs doesn't believe she deserves love-not from her adoptive parents, and certainly not from anyone at school. Pros: Original premise. Ambiguous and poignant story, with a surprising early twist and a subsequent, creepy crescendo. Allora, è stata sfortunata all'inizio, glielo concedo: ha passato un po' d'anni tra varie famiglie affidatarie, ma quando finalmente arriva da nuovi genitori (che l'hanno comunque fortemente voluta e accolta), è tutto un atteggiarsi a finta ribelle, tra "tu non sei mio padre" a "non potete controllare la mia vita", compreso sputare sui regali ricevuti e spendere soldi altrui con un'egoismo cubitale.

Vlahos' storytelling is not only emotionally compelling but also thought-provoking. She seamlessly weaves her personal reflections and insights into the narratives, inviting readers to contemplate the meaning of life, the nature of existence, and the profound impact we can have on one another. Her ability to distill complex emotions and existential questions into accessible and relatable prose is truly remarkable. The In-Between was one of middle-grades biggest surprises for me this year; a fantasy/mystery hybrid that had a lot more depth and heart that I anticipated it would have. Ms Sue says that her late husband is there to get her, and she would be leaving - dying - that night. And the author wants to talk about her boyfriend...I was immediately hooked and intrigued. The "before chapters" occur before the accident that kills Skylar and showcases Tessa and Skylar's summer romance. There are two storylines, the love story, and the ghost story. What sets "The In-Between" apart is Vlahos' ability to convey the essence of these encounters with such authenticity and tenderness. The link to the audiobook can be found here The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments. Through her vivid and evocative writing, she paints vivid portraits of the individuals she encountered, giving them a voice and honoring their unique experiences. I was deeply moved by the genuine humanity and raw emotions that permeated each story, reminding me of the importance of embracing the present and cherishing our connections with others.

I also loved Cooper’s “screaming sessions” & thought that was such a clever & great way to get some of that anger out. I also loved who he shared that secret with. Gus was an amazing character. He helped Cooper immensely. Unlike Cooper’s friends from before the divorce that he pushed away, Gus was going through something similar & seemed to get Cooper in the way he needed, & he let him in & it helped so much. Seeing the sibling relationship b/n him & his sister repair & grow was also beautiful. This work feels like a stand-alone accomplishment. It is also incredibly contemporary in its depiction of Melbourne. Not only does it encapsulate the unique feelings of post-pandemic relief, it also captures the evolving inner city and suburban landscape, as well as the texture, tenor and cadences of the changing multicultural society in this great city. The In-Between" is a book that imparts wisdom and deepens our understanding of the human experience. It reminds us to approach life with empathy, compassion, and a willingness to embrace the moments that often go unnoticed or overlooked. Vlahos' writing serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and significance that can be found in the simplest of encounters. In Ms. Wofford’s class, Katie is given a writing assignment to write “from the perspective / of an inanimate object, / pondering its purpose” (Purpose). Katie ends up writing about leaves. Write your own short story or narrative poem from the point of view of an inanimate object of your choice.After bouncing around in foster homes for most of her childhood, seventeen-year-old Tessa Jacobs doesn’t believe she deserves love – not from her adoptive parents, and certainly not from anyone at school. Talking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at best: Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die. Ellie and her family are moving away. They are going to make a new start and Ellie has promised to become New Ellie. Old Ellie was overweight, she was drab and she tried to take her own life. New Ellie will lose weight, be bright and funny. She will wear colourful clothes and she will do well at school. This is a story of insta-love, and the timeline moves fast, with chapters alternating between the “before” and “after” in a series of countdowns. It’s a summer love of two young people. Reading it, you already know the outcome, and that makes it all the more bittersweet knowing how it will end.

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. The way this book was written showed character development of the author in a way that was moving, inspiring and satisfying. Hadley did a great job at writing about her transformation as a nurse and a human, and it was compelling to read her story. As a current nursing student, I also found this book helpful for me to prepare me for the career I am stepping into, and also to learn some advice on the hospital system, the different kinds of nurses I’ll encounter in the field, and how I can provide person centred care in a way that is holistic and healing to my patients.If you've read Coming Up For Air by Nicole B. Tyndall, by Gayle Forman or A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole, you'll enjoy this book. The beauty of this novel is that it will be a very different story for each reader, depending on what the reader chooses to believe. I'm not a huge fan of paranormal fiction, and I want to believe that Ellie was suffering episodes of psychosis brought on by a mental illness. There are certain descriptions that ring so true for me, having worked with young adults with mental illness I recognise many of the things that Ellie claims, and some of her behaviours. Other readers will disagree, and see ghosts and spirits. And that's fine, and that's what is so clever about The In-Between. Skylar? Idk, I have mixed feelings about him. On one hand, I really like him. But on the other hand, I can't actually tell you why I like him, so...do with that what you will. Why is Katie’s mother angry when her ex-husband sends Katie home with groceries? How does her reaction relate to the metaphor of an eagle that Katie uses to describe her mother?

The poem “Rainy Dayz” describes a series of memories that Katie has of Josh and Haley. What do these memories reveal about the relationship between the siblings? My friends, please know this now and forever: no matter how much your father or anyone else makes you feel otherwise; you are seen. You are brilliantly visible (...) You are not forgotten." In The In-Between, Cooper and his sister Jess are trying to solve a mystery they discover on the internet. Marc Klein acclaimed screenwriter, producer, and author's debut novel— THE IN BETWEEN is an emotional and heartfelt story of love and loss and is perfect for fans of movies: If I Stay, Five Feet Apart, and Ghost.

This heartbreaking story—perfect for fans of If I Stay and Five Feet Apart—follows a girl swept up in the magic of her first love, until it all comes to a tragic end that might lead her into the afterlife itself. Soon to be a motion picture on Paramount+ starring Joey King!