"Hanging on to Max" by Margaret Bechard

I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time and am happy to say that it met my expectations entirely. When Sam's ex-girlfriend decides that she wants to give their baby up for adoption, Sam decides to take over. Though he is still in high school, he takes his fatherly role seriously. He does everything he can to care for Max, but sometimes he feels it just isn't enough. He also rekindles a friendship with Claire who is also a teenage parent. Throughout all of this, Sam learns a lot about himself and what it really takes to be a good parent.

I was quite impressed with Hanging on to Max. I have read quite a few books that focus on teenage pregnancy and parenthood, but never one that tells the story from the male perspective. I think that Bechard did a wonderful job of capturing what it is like to be a teenage father including the challenges and prejudices that come with it. The emotions are very real and I can easily see these events taking place in real life. This book is a real eye opener about being a young parent. I have so much respect for Sam and the choices he makes. Though they are not easy choices, I feel that he handles them in the best way possible, especially when he begins to think about what is the best decision for his son. I highly recommend this book for all teens!

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Plan B" by Charnan Simon

This book needed more plot! The story in Plan B takes place over just a couple of weeks and there just wasn't enough to keep me fully engaged. While I get that this is the kind of book that is purposefully short, I wanted so much more out of the story.

Lucy has been dating Luke for about six months. When they find out that Luke's getting a scholarship opportunity, she decides they should celebrate and one thing (and a little alcohol) leads to another and as this book is about a teenage pregnancy, you can probably figure out what that thing is. Before long, Lucy figures out that she is pregnant and soon she and Luke have to figure out what they will do with their lives and the baby's.

I read this book mostly because my NaNoWriMo novel is about a pregnant teen and I was looking for some more perspective and inspiration. I have read an awful lot of books that focus on teenage pregnancy and lately have been focusing on what elements I need to include in my own work (as this is a topic I haven't personally gone through, a little help goes a long ways). Sadly I don't think I got much out of this read. I felt that the characters weren't very fleshed out and while the ending was bold, I felt that it was a lot of build-up with no result. At the very least, I would have appreciated an epilogue. I try to be well read and since I work in a library, I try to be aware of as many books as possible. I plan on reading at least one more book in the Surviving Southside series so as to get a better idea of how the series is formatted, but if the rest of the books fall as flat, I won't be likely to recommend them.

Happy Reading!

-Melly