Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Flux, March 8, 2012

Read for 2012 Sophomore Challenge and 2012 Standalone Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets. 
Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives. 
Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it. 
Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

This was a moving sophomore novel--I am just so thrilled for Margie Gelwasser's continued success! These four teens are screwed up beyond all recognition, and while I didn't really like any of them, I did want to see good things head their way. Usually, if I don't relate or like the main character(s), the story is very difficult for me to read, but I didn't feel that way about POU. These teens may not be all likable, all the time, but they are real teens, dealing with real, horrifying situations, and doing what they think is best at the time. Do we agree with their choices? Probably not, but definitely my kind of read. 


Pieces of Us is dark, it's gritty, it's realistic. Heck, I have to re-read it, because it just might fit on my MAHROAT list (or perhaps as a runner-up, at least).


I was lucky enough to read Pieces of Us as an eGalley (thanks, NetGalley!) and am even luckier because Margie will be stopping by for another interview tomorrow!