Pearl by Jo Knowles

Pearl by Jo Knowles
Release Date: July 19, 2011
Publisher: Henry Holt And Co. 
Age Group: Young Adult 
Pages: 224



Summary: Bean (née Pearl) and Henry, misfits and best friends, have the strangest mothers in town. Henry’s mom Sally never leaves the house. Bean’s mom Lexie, if she is home, is likely nursing a hangover or venting to her friend Claire about Bean’s beloved grandfather Gus, the third member of their sunny household.

Gus’s death unleashes a host of family secrets that brings them all together. And they threaten to change everything—including Bean’s relationship with Henry, her first friend, and who also might turn out to be her first love.

My Thoughts: I didn't know if I'd enjoy Pearl when I started it. I was unsure about it. I liked it quite a bit. We are introduced to Bean aka Pearl and her best friend Henry. They have been best friends since the age of 7 and they are now 15 years old. Both of their dad's left them when they were young so they have bonded over that. They tell each other everything. We also meet Henry's mom Sally and Bean's grandfather Gus, her mother Lexie, and her mother's friend Claire. 

Bean and Henry have made up so many stories about their fathers. It helps them cope and gives them a sensible reason why their dad's aren't around. 

A death in the family results in lots of questions between Henry and Bean. And why does Bean's mother act the way she does? At times, she just doesn't seem reasonable. Lexie doesn't get a long with her father most of the time and Bean just doesn't understand why she feels that way towards her grandfather. Bean and Henry start to develop feelings for each other and wonder if they are related. Honestly, this book is just over 200 pages and if I say much more I'll be giving away the whole plot and the whole conclusion. 

I'll just say this, I really enjoyed reading Pearl. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but a good story otherwise. There isn't a whole lot of romance in this one, its more mystery and is full of lots of questions. Bean is trying to figure out things. 

Overall: I really liked Pearl. Its a good contemporary book. 

Cover: Its really plain but still appealing. If you look close enough, you can see faces on the cover. 

What I'd Give It: