Sunday, July 06, 2008

Outside Beauty by Cynthia Kadohata

Shelby's mother is an addict, addicted to men, that is. Every night, another man is at their house, forcing Shelby and her three other sisters, Marilyn, Lakey, and Maddie, to take care of themselves. Though the sisters are extremely unique, the bond between them couldn't be stronger. Than one night, their world changed. A serious accident caused the girls to be taken by their respective fathers. Will the bond of sisterhood be strong enough to survive this adversity?

Overall, I liked this book. The strong bond of sisterhood was clearly portrayed throughout the novel. The characters, though related, were as different as anything. From Marilyn, the prettiest and most motherly of the sisters, to Shelby, the different and quiet sister, the characters create a sense of unity and family. From the hardships, such as Maddie's controlling father and the distance between the sisters, it is nice to know that family can overcome anything. That's what this book teaches.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Pottstown, PA United States