Reviews
First-time novelist Alexander offers a delightful, funny story about teenagers living in a West Texas farming community. . . . Austin's year of added responsibility and independence make for a substantive, enjoyable coming-of-age novel that will speak to rural and urban readers alike., "As in The Sweetheart of Prosper County (Feiwel Friends, 2009), strong, rural Southern storytelling and mother-daughter conflict are integral parts of the plot, but this title has more of an edge. Alexander's simmering plot is equally driven by a complex story and multiple, complex characters. Though readers will be thrown by the tearjerker ending, they will enjoy the excerpts from lead guitarist Cal's lyrical journal, which are the only real indication that he pines for Paisley." -School Library Journal Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ Praise for THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY : A 2010 Texas Lone Star Reading List title "Warm, humorous . . . A refreshing picture of teen angst, with realistic dialogue and memorable characters." - School Library Journal , starred review "A colorful supporting cast, fresh dialogue and Southern personality . . . contribute to an entertainingly theatrical vision of small-town life." - Publishers Weekly, . . . Paisley fights the stereotypes of herself as a small-town girl, and her story blends the teenage rebellion and family confrontations with surprising turnarounds and a resolution steeped in sorrow., ". . . Paisley fights the stereotypes of herself as a small-town girl, and her story blends the teenage rebellion and family confrontations with surprising turnarounds and a resolution steeped in sorrow." - Booklist "Readers expecting a fully happy ending will be both shocked and disappointed by the sudden tragedy at the end. . . . However, the group's perseverance, development of trust earned and given, and practice of living wide open will inspire readers with dreams of their own." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Alexander's simmering plot is equally driven by a complex story and multiple, complex characters." - School Library Journal Praise for Jill S. Alexander and The Sweetheart of Prosper County : "A refreshing picture of teen angst, with realistic dialogue and memorable characters." - School Library Journal, Starred Review "First-time novelist Alexander offers a delightful, funny story about teenagers living in a West Texas farming community. . . . Austin's year of added responsibility and independence make for a substantive, enjoyable coming-of-age novel that will speak to rural and urban readers alike."- Booklist, Readers expecting a fully happy ending will be both shocked and disappointed by the sudden tragedy at the end. . . . However, the group's perseverance, development of trust earned and given, and practice of living wide open will inspire readers with dreams of their own.
