{Review} Keep Holding on by Susane Colassanti

Keep Holding On
Author: Susane Colasanti
Release Date: May 31, 2012
by, Viking Juvenile
Source: Bought
Pages: 224

A romantic and empowering book about bullying
Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on. {Goodreads}

~Review:
  So, apparently I have been on a contemporary kick..idk just have! One contemporary after the other. And the good news? They have all been absolutely fantastic!! But this one isn't a cute love story. Yes, there is Julian but there is far more important things going on than just Julian. I have only read one other book that deals with bullying and that was Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. That book was amazing and really impacted me. The whole snow ball affect...wow. But I'm not hear to talk about that book today..I already did my review on that one ;)

  I don't think we as teenagers...or even grown adults know the impact we have. How one word, one gesture, one look can hurt far worse than we can imagine. We all know bullying is a problem. Millions of dollars have gone into programs for anti-bullying. But honestly, are those programs going to be what stops bullying? No. And if we are honest, we will never be able to stop it...we can try and strive...but the choice is in the people. Those people are the bullies...sometimes those bullies don't even know they are the bullies...another problem. And we can't fully understand it all at times because we don't know. Plain and simple. Those who aren't bullied can't even begin to understand. And that goes for those who aren't the bullies.

  This book, though, gives us a small insight into the lives of those being bullied. What it might feel like, the thoughts that go on, the lives those victims live. And it hurt. It really hurt emotionally to read about what Noelle had to go through. But through it all she was strong. And I think that is where we can help. To give the people who are bullied by giving them hope. To give reassurance just with a simple smile, a simple "have a good day", or an invitation to go to the movies or what not. But like in this book...it is easier said than done.

  Keep Holding on is a hard hitting emotional read with real life characters and real life instances. This book will impact you in more ways than one. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Susane Colasanti's writing was believable and likeable. Some books just tend to leave little impacts on your life...and this was one of them. Honestly, sometimes there were parts I felt like it was missing something but not enough times to where I was willing to put the book down..for good. Do I recommend this book? Yes. :) And as far as rating goes....

~Rating:

4 out 5 wonderful stars!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Have a great day!

~Jaiden