Jasmine and Maddie by Christine Pakkala

Jasmine and Maddie

by Christine Pakkala (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover, 203 pages

Published April 1st 2014 by Boyds Mills Press

ISBN 1620917394 (ISBN13: 9781620917398)

To grieving Jasmine, Maddie's a rich kid with no problems. To lonely Maddie, Jasmine is all cavalier-cool in their tame Connecticut town.True friends they are not. Yet each hopes the other might save her. Can Maddie give Jasmine what she needs? Could Jasmine rescue Maddie from the outskirts of the crowd? When Jasmine steals Maddie's heirloom ring, just how far will she go to keep it? In alternating chapters, Maddie and Jasmine take turns weaving their story about friendship and coming of age.

Looney's Literacy Review

Much can be said for this quaint little story of two girls on opposite ends of the spectrum. While both characters physically remain opposites, Pakkala did a stunning job of portraying their similarities in character. There is a lesson to be learned here. Middle grade students (especially) need to hear stories of others their age overcoming differences and and accepting all for who they are.

Both girls feel betrayed by the live that was chosen for them. They both long for something someone else has. They both act out, they both lie and they both hurt.

I like how Pakkala added the boy drama from each girl’s perspective, as well. Every good middle grade story has it and Pakkala added just enough to intrigue but not overwhelm the main theme of the book.

I was intrigued by Ian’s  character and hope that Pakkala has a story for him sometime soon!

If you have the opportunity, I would recommend this book. From a teachers perspective(5th-7th), it could be used as a read aloud or just be part of the classroom library.