Review: The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor

Melissa's father passed away when she was in seventh grade. They were close and his struggle with cancer and resulting death has left her with a lot to deal with. She doesn't relate as well to her mother and her sister is very different from her as well--popular and beautiful and interested in beauty pageants. Add to that, her lifelong best friend, Ryan, has sort of turned into someone she'd be interested in romantically, but so is the beautiful new girl in school.

I have been in a severe reading slump--a mixture of being over committed and reading books that were good but not great. Reading The Life of Glass was the first time in days I've remembered what it's like to simply love the process of reading, to be pulled into a story, to care greatly about the characters, and enjoy the process of discovering what happens to them. I even read it during the commercials on LOST last night!

I loved Melissa because she reminded me so much of myself in funny little ways, like when she wondered if applying nail polish well was something in your genes. I love how she read her father's journal of notes for his book, to both discover who he was and discover the world. I thought she had such great heart and I enjoyed watching the process of her discovering that she uniquely had something to offer the world.

Her observations on life are also surprisingly insightful and true. I would just be reading along and there would be a total gem of insight.

The Life of Glass is a completely enjoyable and honest look at the first year of high school, of being genuine with yourself, trusting your instincts, family relationships, and first love. I enjoyed every second of reading it and I look forward to reading more by Jillian Cantor in the future.

Rating: 4.5/5
Things You Might Want to Know: A little bit of profanity
Source of Book: Provided by publicist for review
Publisher: HarperTeen