Jude by Kate Morgenroth

Julia's Comments: Fifteen-year-old Jude’s life has completely spun out of control. In the same day, he witnesses his father’s murder and is turned over to a mother he has never known. To make matters worse, Jude’s mother is the D.A. in town, which means that Jude is now a spotlight in the media.

In spite of all this, Jude seems to adjust to his new life and looks forward to building a relationship with his mother. But when a plan to help his mother win the mayor election backfires, Jude is wrongfully accused of drug dealing and finds himself serving a rigid prison sentence. Without his mother’s trust or help, Jude fights to save his reputation and, inevitably, his life.

I was very impressed by this novel, especially since Kate Morgenroth often writes for adults. The book is full of action and suspense, which made it a quick read for me. I was sympathetic to Jude’s situation and eager for him to succeed despite his circumstances. Although a few characters were a bit predictable, they nevertheless helped the action move forward at a satisfying pace. I was engaged until the end and pleased with the plot from start to finish. A great read for both guys and girls, including reluctant readers (check status at GPL).