Latest Read: I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Here are the basics ...
I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publication date: May 17, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Borrowed from library
Summary: Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected. Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes. As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong. (Adapted goodreads.com)

The good

I'll Be There focuses on three people: Emily Bell, a genuinely kind girl from a good home; Sam Border, a talented young man who has spent his life on the run because of his crazy father; and Riddle Border, Sam's younger brother who seems to live in his own little world. Their lives cross paths when Emily's father forces her to sing a solo at church and Sam hears her. Their connection is immediate and inexplicable and Sam knows he should stay away because of his unstable life. But neither can stop thinking about the other and when they bump into each other again, they quickly form a bond and later relationship. Then Emily's parents, who are old-fashioned, insist on meeting the brothers and end up welcoming them into their home when they sense something special in each of the boys. But.. if only it was as simple as that.

The storytelling style the author employs here was pretty amazing. Even though Emily, Sam and Riddle are the focus, we get to see the point-of-views of so many different characters. Sam and Riddle's father, Emily's parents, a boy from school who has feelings for Emily (he is so creepy!), the random people they encounter. At first, it felt like a lot but I quickly understood, appreciated and loved what the author was trying to do here. She was trying to show us how there's a ripple effect to every action. That chance meetings mean something. The kindness of strangers. The darkness that exists in people that we may not be aware of. It's not always an easy message but ultimately it is a beautiful one and one that resonated with me long after I reached the final page.

I honestly wish I could tell you more but this is one of those cases where revealing even a little more would take away from the overall effect of the book. Just trust me when I say that these characters are memorable. You will experience a range of emotions for everyone involved from joy to anger and you will root for Emily, Sam and Riddle to find the happiness they deserve.

(No) Reservations

Just be prepared for the many, many perspectives. I wasn't expecting it but it worked for me.

Do I Recommend?

I do! It was a bit of slow burn at first but once I was in the story, I was really moved by the book.

Happy reading!