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jennifer brown

Thousand Words by Janenifer Brown
Published: Little, Brown (May 21st, 2013)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 282 pages
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary:
Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he'll forget about her while he's away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest she text him a picture of herself — sans swimsuit — to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits"send."

But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone — until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo — and didn't look.

Acclaimed author Janenifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words.. it doesn't always tell the whole story.

Review:

I think that many teens are unaware as well. Janenifer Brown did a terrific job showing what can happen and how it does alter the lives of all involved.

In this book, Ashleigh is dealing with the consequences of sending a single nude photo to her boyfriend while at a party. She wanted him to know she loved him and that he shouldn't forget about her while he's at college. Her friends pushed her to do it and she surprised everyone by going through with it. But then her and her boyfriend have a horrible breakup and her picture ends up all over school.

After a while, everyone knows about the photo-- including teachers and everyone in town — and what Ashleigh did. Even though she has to go through all of the consequences of the photo as she loses all her friends and the respect from others, she also has a punishment to face. She has to do a community service project to help show teens what can happen to them if they make the same mistakes she did.

I'm a huge fan of romance in a book but you won't find that here. It isn't what this story needed and I applaud Janenifer for leaving it out. For this book, the character needed to tell her story and get stronger by spreading the word about something that so many teens do. It's truly a cautionary tale that so many teens need to read.

This book also shows how something so simple changes many lives. The boyfriend, Kaleb, has to deal with the fact that he is 18 and forwarded a naked photo of an underage girl. That carries a lot of heavy consequences that people usually don't consider. I was happy to see that we really get to see the full picture of what happens in these situations… before, during, and after it occurs.

I highly recommend this book!!

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1. What made you decide to share a story involving relationship abuse?

I like books that deal with tough issues. I think that reading can lead to thinking and talking, and thinking and talking can lead to problem-solving. Relationship abuse is a tough issue that's really happening to many teens. Teens are finding themselves in violent and dangerous relationship situations far too often, and I like the idea of creating a book that maybe might speak to some of them, and possibly help them get out of their situation.

The truth is, being a teen these days means dealing with some really tough stuff. They have to worry about things people in my generation never really had to even think about. I don't think I'm going to solve the world's problems in the pages of a novel, but sometimes I think all it takes is to hear one person, even if that person is just a fictional character, say,"I've been there. I got out. You can get out, too," to make a tough, or seemingly impossible, situation look… different.

I'm passionate about shining a light on social issues, because I truly do believe that books like Bitter End can make a difference.

2. What do you think teens should know in order to stay safe in a relationship?

First of all, love doesn't hurt. It doesn't leave bruises. It doesn't make you feel like you're worthless or stupid or ugly. If you're in a relationship where you're feeling these things, or where you're hurting, or especially where you're coming away with bruises, you are not in a loving relationship. It can all feel so very complex, especially when you're in love, but the abuse isn't going to get any better. If your partner is hurting you, emotionally or physically, you have to leave, even if you don't feel like you're strong enough to do so (you are). Also, tell someone. Don't keep secrets about what's happening to you. It may feel embarrassing or scary to tell someone what's going on, but in the end the person you tell might be able to help you stay safe.

3. Are there any resources for teens that you would recommend? (websites, phone numbers, groups, etc.)

Absolutely!

National Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org
(Recently, Break the Cycle, www.breakthecycle.org, has partnered with the National Dating Abuse Helpline)

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
www.thehotline.org

There is also a list of helpful resources in the back of Bitter End, as well as a Q&A with a licensed psychologist about abuse and abusive relationships — how to recognize one and how to get out of it.

4. What do you hope teenagers take from reading BITTER END ?
First and foremost, and always, the enjoyment of having been immersed in a good story. As passionately as I feel about getting teens talking about tough issues, I feel even more passionately about the enjoyment and entertainment of reading.

But I'll admit, if even one teen recognizes his or her relationship in Alex's story and makes a change… that would be pretty great, too.

Bitter End by Janenifer Brown Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 359 pages When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose"love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose — between her"true love" and herself.

Find Janenifer Brown | Blog

Purchase Bitter End
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Remember to check out THIS PAGE to sign up to win a copy of this book and the other books mentioned during"Stand Up Against Abuse" week. Help spread the word about the links and phone numbers listed on that page.

Bitter End by Janenifer Brown
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 10th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 359 pages
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose"love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose — between her"true love" and herself.
Review: Bitter End is such a realistic portrayal of how a relationship can take a dangerous turn. Alex is smart, caring, and well-liked. She has 2 wonderful best friends, Zack and Beth, who she is super close with. Then she meets a new boy at school. Cole seems wonderful at first. He's athletic, sweet, and seems to care a lot for Alex. It's easy to see why Alex is smitten from the start.

Eventually things get a little more scary. It doesn't start out drastic at first, because no abuse typically does, but the warning bells start to go off. First, Cole isn't fond of Alex spending time with Beth and Zack.well, mostly Zack. He tries to keep them all from hanging out by keeping Alex distracted. Then more things begin to happen and although Alex knows they seem odd, she can't help but believe what Cole tells her.

Cole isn't from a perfect family and Alex can't help but feel for his situation. But slowly she finds out more and more of the truth about Cole. As she becomes more isolated from her friends, Cole has more of a hold on her. That seems to be exactly what he wants and soon Alex doesn't know how to break free.

Jennifer Brown did an amazing job showing how a teen relationship can turn dangerous. I could see why Alex liked Cole from the beginning. He did and said exactly the right things. Alex wanted attention and he gave her all she could ever want. Her friends remained supportive as much as they could. They tried to fight for Alex and show her how much they cared. Both characters were the perfect addition to this plot. Beth was friendly and supportive. Zack was the crazy one in the friendship and his humor and crazy personality was a nice break in the drama.

Bitter End shows how even a girl who is social and outgoing can be sucked into an abusive relationship. It doesn't have to be any certain"type" of girl who can be subject to abuse and the abuse doesn't have to start at day one. Janenifer Brown shows the inside and outside of a relationship gone wrong. It shows exactly how trapped someone can feel.

Bitter End is a heartbreaking story of a young girl just trying to find love, and the boy who tries to take everything away from her. This book can help young girls notice some warning signs that can come up in a relationship. I recommend this book for everyone, parents and teens. Relationship abuse can happen to anyone, at anytime.

Find Janenifer Brown | Blog

Purchase Bitter End
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository