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hannahslibrary92's review against another edition
1.0
3/10
The biggest problem I had with this book is that I didn't like the main character all that much. To me she just seemed really annoying and that bugged me a lot.
The way she reacted to a lot of things just got on my nerves, especially when it was something pretty small and she would overreact.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom. To me it didn't make sense that she would act so horribly towards her mother, the one person she was supposedly trying to protect from this big secret. By trying to save her mom from the hurt of finding out about what Simon did, she ends up hurting her. I didn't like that at all.
The other thing that I didn't really like was that a lot of the points in this book seemed really repetitive. I felt like the same stuff was being mentioned over and over again, and it got on my nerves, because it wasn't a hugely long book, so having so much time spent going over the same things, was annoying.
There were things I did like about the book. I liked that it tackled issues like racism. I liked that the supporting characters all had lives outside of their friendship/relationship with the main character. In fact, it would have been good to explore those lives a little more.
Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There were parts of it that I did enjoy, but overall there were a lot of things that I didn't like.
The biggest problem I had with this book is that I didn't like the main character all that much. To me she just seemed really annoying and that bugged me a lot.
The way she reacted to a lot of things just got on my nerves, especially when it was something pretty small and she would overreact.
I also didn't like how she treated her mom. To me it didn't make sense that she would act so horribly towards her mother, the one person she was supposedly trying to protect from this big secret. By trying to save her mom from the hurt of finding out about what Simon did, she ends up hurting her. I didn't like that at all.
The other thing that I didn't really like was that a lot of the points in this book seemed really repetitive. I felt like the same stuff was being mentioned over and over again, and it got on my nerves, because it wasn't a hugely long book, so having so much time spent going over the same things, was annoying.
There were things I did like about the book. I liked that it tackled issues like racism. I liked that the supporting characters all had lives outside of their friendship/relationship with the main character. In fact, it would have been good to explore those lives a little more.
Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There were parts of it that I did enjoy, but overall there were a lot of things that I didn't like.
kristinaweber's review against another edition
4.0
I found If I Tell to be very honest. Teenagers really are that moody. They really do say things and feel things that Jaz does. If you have problems, chances are good that all of your friends do, too. Misfits stick together. Another reviewer found it unrealistic that so many people had problems, but I disagree. It was nice to watch Jaz come to accept herself and others. Like most teenagers, she feels like adults are not allowed to have faults, and holds every little fault against the adults in her life. Jackson's character was great, too. I would have liked to see more done with the music aspect, but otherwise very solid.
angelcwrites's review against another edition
4.0
You can find this review and many more at Mermaid Vision Books!
Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC from Raincoast Books
Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?
Discovery: I'd been eyeing this book for a few days when the lovely Raincoast Books publicist sent it to me for review. I don't tend to come across books with non-white characters (and that's an issue that would take another long blog post to address), so I made a point to set aside time for this one.
+ Character development. Jasmine is a prickly character, and so are many of her family members and friends. No one in this book is a straightforward "goodie" or "baddie," though Jasmine discovers that in the course of the story. A writing professor once told me that a good story is one in which change occurs naturally, because the characters learn to integrate it into their lives. Jasmine doesn't have an easy time of it, but she tries, and that's what drives the story forward. She is a curious and brave girl, who can't seem to see her own self-worth, which I will admit made the story a little difficult to read. However, I did see her potential and I'm glad that I stuck around to see her grow into a more mature young woman.
+ Themes. I address this issue a bit reluctantly, because I don't want to get into the whole mess surrounding racial discrimination and prejudice. That's something I'm not comfortable discussing on the internet, because words on a screen can't project actual expressions or tone. It's too easy to fall into awkward situations or involuntary rudeness.
That said, I will tell you--in the interest of full disclosure--that I have experienced racism. I am very familiar with the walls that Jasmine builds around herself and the fears that she pretends she doesn't have. There were times when reading this book became really uncomfortable, not because of the characters, but the emotions that their experiences dredged up in me. Not every reader is going to be as affected as I was, but Jasmine's story will ring true for anyone who's "different" and is treated that way.
I also loved how Gurtler wrote about loyalty and its importance in Jasmine's life. She places stock in kindness and compassion, though like any other human being, Jasmine doesn't always make the right decisions. Above all else, this book is about a girl who is trying, step by step, to figure out who she is regardless of colour, family and friends.
Recommendations: Readers of any age will appreciate Jasmine's signature voice and clear-eyed view of the world around her.
Rating: Very good.
Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC from Raincoast Books
Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?
Discovery: I'd been eyeing this book for a few days when the lovely Raincoast Books publicist sent it to me for review. I don't tend to come across books with non-white characters (and that's an issue that would take another long blog post to address), so I made a point to set aside time for this one.
+ Character development. Jasmine is a prickly character, and so are many of her family members and friends. No one in this book is a straightforward "goodie" or "baddie," though Jasmine discovers that in the course of the story. A writing professor once told me that a good story is one in which change occurs naturally, because the characters learn to integrate it into their lives. Jasmine doesn't have an easy time of it, but she tries, and that's what drives the story forward. She is a curious and brave girl, who can't seem to see her own self-worth, which I will admit made the story a little difficult to read. However, I did see her potential and I'm glad that I stuck around to see her grow into a more mature young woman.
+ Themes. I address this issue a bit reluctantly, because I don't want to get into the whole mess surrounding racial discrimination and prejudice. That's something I'm not comfortable discussing on the internet, because words on a screen can't project actual expressions or tone. It's too easy to fall into awkward situations or involuntary rudeness.
That said, I will tell you--in the interest of full disclosure--that I have experienced racism. I am very familiar with the walls that Jasmine builds around herself and the fears that she pretends she doesn't have. There were times when reading this book became really uncomfortable, not because of the characters, but the emotions that their experiences dredged up in me. Not every reader is going to be as affected as I was, but Jasmine's story will ring true for anyone who's "different" and is treated that way.
I also loved how Gurtler wrote about loyalty and its importance in Jasmine's life. She places stock in kindness and compassion, though like any other human being, Jasmine doesn't always make the right decisions. Above all else, this book is about a girl who is trying, step by step, to figure out who she is regardless of colour, family and friends.
Recommendations: Readers of any age will appreciate Jasmine's signature voice and clear-eyed view of the world around her.
Rating: Very good.
kailiasage's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 On blog
When I first heard about this book, it sounded super good. Drama filled but good so I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it at all. I did give it a chance and I’m glad I did. Now, I didn’t absolutely love this book but I did enjoy it!
Let’s start with Jasmine. She was just so insecure and always complained about how her being biracial was such a bad thing. She felt her life was a complete mess without any way of fixing it. Her relationship with her mother is less than perfect and things get much worse when she sees something she shouldn’t. She was really selfish and argued with people all the time, over everything and with everyone. She had a problem with trusting and didn’t let them know her better, which she blamed on her being biracial…but it was her. For the problem with Lacey and Simon and her mother, I wish Jaz would just confront them.
The other characters were good but weren’t as rounded as I would have liked them to be. We got bits and pieces of each characters background and how they dealt with it. Jackson, though, I liked a lot. He understood Jaz’s pain and was able to relate to her as much as possible. I did like that he didn’t get upset or anything by the fact that Jaz didn’t trust him at first but got to know her…and then she judged him and hurt him.
The emotions were probably the best part of this book though. I had a hard time believing that the book was over when it was. I loved how Ms. Gurtler was able to go from one emotion to the other emotion and make it all seem so natural. It all seemed so realistic to me and I loved that about the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I loved how the emotions were so realistic. Even though Jaz and I didn't click, I loved Janet Gurtler's writing style. I can't wait to read her first novel, I'm Not Her! Also, I don't think my review should discourage you from checking out this book. I have read reviews that some people enjoyed it more than I did!
When I first heard about this book, it sounded super good. Drama filled but good so I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it at all. I did give it a chance and I’m glad I did. Now, I didn’t absolutely love this book but I did enjoy it!
Let’s start with Jasmine. She was just so insecure and always complained about how her being biracial was such a bad thing. She felt her life was a complete mess without any way of fixing it. Her relationship with her mother is less than perfect and things get much worse when she sees something she shouldn’t. She was really selfish and argued with people all the time, over everything and with everyone. She had a problem with trusting and didn’t let them know her better, which she blamed on her being biracial…but it was her. For the problem with Lacey and Simon and her mother, I wish Jaz would just confront them.
The other characters were good but weren’t as rounded as I would have liked them to be. We got bits and pieces of each characters background and how they dealt with it. Jackson, though, I liked a lot. He understood Jaz’s pain and was able to relate to her as much as possible. I did like that he didn’t get upset or anything by the fact that Jaz didn’t trust him at first but got to know her…and then she judged him and hurt him.
The emotions were probably the best part of this book though. I had a hard time believing that the book was over when it was. I loved how Ms. Gurtler was able to go from one emotion to the other emotion and make it all seem so natural. It all seemed so realistic to me and I loved that about the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I loved how the emotions were so realistic. Even though Jaz and I didn't click, I loved Janet Gurtler's writing style. I can't wait to read her first novel, I'm Not Her! Also, I don't think my review should discourage you from checking out this book. I have read reviews that some people enjoyed it more than I did!
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, really enjoyed it, wish Jaz had told her grandmother about the pool and why she was afraid of water, but she does deal with that fear in this book, so yeah, loved it!
audrey_a26's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racism, and Racial slurs
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
4.0
If there's one thing that I can say about "If I Tell" definitively - it's an addicting read and I honestly couldn't put this book down as I read it. It had me hooked from beginning to end and I honestly say I couldn't put it down to see what happens to Jasmine (Jaz), the leading character. It's very much a drama about a young woman who faces a lot of issues in her life and finds herself carried within a downward spiral of events, so much so that she's almost swallowed by it and even swept within it in some considerations. From dealing with issues involving her biracial identity, to having a mother who didn't raise her and a father who rejected her, to witnessing her best friend making out with her mother's boyfriend, among other factors, it's hard not to feel for Jaz. She has to contend with a lot in what seems like a small amount of time. The conflicts are laid on thick, and things quickly become more complicated as the story goes on.
I like the fact that Janet Gurtler doesn't turn away from raising the issues in this book, and how Jaz has to face some harsh realities in which she learns and grows from what she encounters in some cases. I also like the fact that Gurtler represents a multitude of issues within her work, including, but not limited to: racism, conflict with racial identity/biracial heritage, bullying, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, post-partum depression, and homosexuality. I commend her for trying to take these issues and mold them within the larger story to bring to light coming to terms with how flawed people are and that we, as people, gain acceptance by loving/respecting who we are on the inside first and then apply that love/appreciation for the people around us. How finding a way to happiness starts with coming to terms with those things. I get the intended message very clearly, but I'm seriously torn about this book in more ways than one, because I feel like it's so overwhelming and tries to pack so many things within it that it sacrifices plausibility in cases to be able to fit the story in such a limited scope/span.
I guess the better question to raise is, in the scheme of all the issues Gurtler brings up - is it realistic? Well, yes and no. It's a bit of both, and sometimes its beautifully illustrated in scenes that actually tugged at my heart strings, while others I had to truly suspend disbelief as to how the coincidences ran and how quick it seems to go through some of those greater contention points. It brings up some great discussion prompts that I think will make people who read it - teens, perhaps even adults - think about as they consider them raised in the scheme of the novel, but I think if it were a bit more evened out, it would've made a far better book as far as having more clarifying impact and emotional resonance. The emotional resonance is there in places, but not taken from as much intimacy as it potentially could've had. I still enjoyed the book for what it offered, and it's one I would recommend people read because it's well-written, engaging, and will allow people to think about the issues raised within it.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Sourcebooks.
Overall score: 4/5
I like the fact that Janet Gurtler doesn't turn away from raising the issues in this book, and how Jaz has to face some harsh realities in which she learns and grows from what she encounters in some cases. I also like the fact that Gurtler represents a multitude of issues within her work, including, but not limited to: racism, conflict with racial identity/biracial heritage, bullying, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, post-partum depression, and homosexuality. I commend her for trying to take these issues and mold them within the larger story to bring to light coming to terms with how flawed people are and that we, as people, gain acceptance by loving/respecting who we are on the inside first and then apply that love/appreciation for the people around us. How finding a way to happiness starts with coming to terms with those things. I get the intended message very clearly, but I'm seriously torn about this book in more ways than one, because I feel like it's so overwhelming and tries to pack so many things within it that it sacrifices plausibility in cases to be able to fit the story in such a limited scope/span.
I guess the better question to raise is, in the scheme of all the issues Gurtler brings up - is it realistic? Well, yes and no. It's a bit of both, and sometimes its beautifully illustrated in scenes that actually tugged at my heart strings, while others I had to truly suspend disbelief as to how the coincidences ran and how quick it seems to go through some of those greater contention points. It brings up some great discussion prompts that I think will make people who read it - teens, perhaps even adults - think about as they consider them raised in the scheme of the novel, but I think if it were a bit more evened out, it would've made a far better book as far as having more clarifying impact and emotional resonance. The emotional resonance is there in places, but not taken from as much intimacy as it potentially could've had. I still enjoyed the book for what it offered, and it's one I would recommend people read because it's well-written, engaging, and will allow people to think about the issues raised within it.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Sourcebooks.
Overall score: 4/5
embaranovich's review against another edition
2.0
Just couldn't get into this one, there was no character depth. Pretty much all I wanted to know was if Simon got caught, and even that scene fizzled.
justsojess's review against another edition
3.0
If I Tell tackles a lot of issues. It addresses wanting to fit in, not really having parents, the danger of keeping secrets and even the danger of telling secrets. But the issue I thought just shined in this story, everyone is not always what they seem and that everyone has a secret.
Through most of the book Jaz acts like she is the only one going through a hard time. That she was the only different one and the only one holding onto a secret that could ruin lives, which was not true at all.
This was all good to a point. Sometimes the multitude of issues became a lot to keep up with.
Jaz was also a whiner about all of the issues she was faced with. She complained about not having anyone in her life, but she never made any attempt to get close to anyone. And when anyone tried to get close to her she held them at arms length.
She kind of acted like since bad things happened to her she has the right to hate certain people and mope around complaining all the time. Bad things happen to everyone. You don't like it, you change it. That what I wanted to yell at her multiple times. And to stop jumping to conclusions about everyone before she knows the whole story.
Even though I had some problems with Jaz's character, I did enjoy the book. The writing style was very enjoyable and I did appreciate how everything came together in the end. Though all I could keep thinking was, if you hadn't have kept this secret none of this would have happened...but then there would not have been a book so I suppose that doesn't matter.
If I Tell was a solid contemporary that I enjoyed reading. It is a bit heavy and faces some serious issues, but I suggest giving it a try.
Through most of the book Jaz acts like she is the only one going through a hard time. That she was the only different one and the only one holding onto a secret that could ruin lives, which was not true at all.
This was all good to a point. Sometimes the multitude of issues became a lot to keep up with.
Jaz was also a whiner about all of the issues she was faced with. She complained about not having anyone in her life, but she never made any attempt to get close to anyone. And when anyone tried to get close to her she held them at arms length.
She kind of acted like since bad things happened to her she has the right to hate certain people and mope around complaining all the time. Bad things happen to everyone. You don't like it, you change it. That what I wanted to yell at her multiple times. And to stop jumping to conclusions about everyone before she knows the whole story.
Even though I had some problems with Jaz's character, I did enjoy the book. The writing style was very enjoyable and I did appreciate how everything came together in the end. Though all I could keep thinking was, if you hadn't have kept this secret none of this would have happened...but then there would not have been a book so I suppose that doesn't matter.
If I Tell was a solid contemporary that I enjoyed reading. It is a bit heavy and faces some serious issues, but I suggest giving it a try.
cindy_todd1's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this read. It gave me insight to a bi-racial girl in high school. The struggles she has had all her life she thinks because of her color. It's a good read to get teenagers to really think sometimes how their actions can truly affect others.