Our special guest today is Kelley Vitollo from Kelley Writes. She is one of our BFFs, and you should definitely check her out!

*this is a rebroadcast of a previous episode*
*SPOLIERS abound and as always you can find us on itunes*

And the winner of the lovely prize pack donated by Carolee Dean is …*drum roll*… Sc0ot from See Scoot Read!

YAY! and many congratulations Scoot!

Just a reminder that the Take Me There blog tour has officially wrapped, however there is still time to enter each blog stops contest AND enter to win the grand prize, part of the Texas Trivia Challenge.

Our contest can be found here. Other blog tour contests and the Texas Trivia Challenge contest can be found by visiting The Teen Book Scene.

 
We also had fun. Lots of fun.  In this first video Carolee made an intro for us, as well she showed off her kickin’ cowboy boots.

 
AND here is our “official” interview with her. 

 

We are also hosting a giveaway, courtesy of Carolee Dean. Just leave a comment below to win a Take Me There tote, a bracelet and a Dallas Cowboy bumper sticker. (GO COWBOYS!!) US only, deadline ends August 30th.

 
Want more? Follow the blog tour by visiting here, each blogger has unique prizes. Want even more? There will be one grand prize which is part of the Texas Trivia Challenge (just find the clues by visiting all the blog stops), which you can find all the information at The Teen Book Scene.

As well, be sure to visit Carolee Dean’s blog for all the latest news on Take Me There and a  list of bookstores in Texas where you can find signed copies of her book.

Oh, we also had a special guest with us today to ‘talk book,’ Kelley Vitollo from Kelley’s Korner. She is one of our newest BFFs, and you know that we don’t just hand out those titles!

For more information on Caorlee Dean and to read a deleted scene from the book check out her site. To read my review of Take Me There click here.

**yes, I meant Ellen Hopkins in the video, not Laurie Halse Anderson**  

Dylan Dawson, adolescent teen who has found himself on the wrong side of the law too many times. Tired of living on the edge of life, Dylan along with his friend Wade try to start over and live clean. However, after a life full of bad choices and bad acquaintances trouble keeps finding them…This is the story of Dylan Dawson, the story of his hope and determination and his quest for truth.

This is by far one of the best realistic fiction books that I have read in a long time. It is not pretty, and is quite sad at times. The book is told honestly and truthfully, while broaching topics like the death penalty, gang violence, dysfunctional families and learning differences. You come away feeling that what you read was real and it sticks with you.

I also enjoyed the way the story was told, going from past to present with sprinkles of his fathers story in between. You get some of the back story to understand the present.

This book is full of well developed, fleshed out characters. From best friend Wade, to Gomez, to Jesse to Dylan Sr. They all are so well written and weaved together perfectly to tell a believable story. Main character Dylan Dawson is about as real and gritty as it gets. He’s made bad choices in the past, yet he has owned up to them and tries to make up for them by turning his life around by staying out of trouble. His determination is inspiring.

Dylan Sr. (Dylan’s dad) is one those characters that I did not fully understand till the very end. Despite his being on death row he is honorable, making him an endearing character. He is the light and hope which Dylan seeks, and Dylan Sr offers those things in a very surprising way.

While this book does not offer any answers other than hope, it can be life changing and alter people’s perception of kids with learning differences.

I give this book 5 STACKS

See you in the STACKS,
Stacy – who thinks not only should teens read this book, but also all school administrators, teachers and parents.