I almost stopped reading when Harry convinced Jude to go along with his plan. Glad I didn't - it's an excellent book. ( )

Reviewed by: Josh (Class of 2013)

The book "Jude" by Kate Morgenroth is a good book that keeps you on the edge and wanting to know more. The book is about a 15 year old kid dealing with the death of his drug dealing father. Now he must go live with the mother that he has never met and switch his life completely and go from the ghetto drug dealers son to the high class kid of a D.A. Official. Read about Jude's new life and see how the choices he makes might end up getting him into some serious trouble. I recommend that people read this book because you will only want to know more. ( )

Police officers respond to a call and find 15-year-old Jude watching television while his father lies dead in the next room. Jude knows who killed his father but will not talk even when he is taken into police custody. That is when Jude's life takes a dramatic turn leading to events that no one could predict, discovering a mother he never knew and leading to sacrifices no son should have to make. Jude is determined to prove himself to his newly discovered mother but is engulfed in a world of secrets and deception.

This mystery grabs the reader from the beginning pages with characters that are compelling and life-like. Jude is agonizingly real. On the outside he has mastered the appearance of control yet, beneath the surface, anger, fear, and confusion threaten to sweep him away. "Jude couldn't believe the man couldn't see that he was that scared. then he remembered the frozen calm of his face in the mirror--how he seemed to assume the mask automatically now, without willing it into place." This calm, cool demeanor is crucial to his survival. ( )

So far the book is great. The story makes you believe that it is going one way but then a twist comes along and bam! something new comes along. For example when the kid is in jail and your thinking hes gonna be staying there...his mom comes to pick him up after years. Then you learn more about the dad and the mom that overall doesnt want the son that much. Overall I can't wait to finish reading it. ( )

Reviewed by Jessi (Class of 2012)
Jude watches his drug-dealer father get gunned down at the kitchen table. As a result, he's taken from their dangerous neighborhood to a comfortable home, a high-type private school, and a mother he doesn't know. Jude is under suspicion for his father's murder, but to save his own life, he can't tell the police what he knows. You might compare Jude's character to that of the perfect conscience. In this lovingly-written novel, Kate Morgenroth captures your attention and pulls on your heart-strings with Jude's consistent and moving journey for acceptance and a mother's love. Having read this book three times, and still wanting more, I can safely say I give this book the highest rating possible. ( )