Amber Deckers

I liked this way more than I expected to. From the very first page I was drawn in and interested i what Libby had to tell us. The 'before' section was really witty and fun and did a good job at illustrating all the characters. The 'after' section had a much more depressing feel to it but it was still very compelling and well written. The ending was really sweet and fitting. Overall it was a really lovely book and I'm glad I picked it up.

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Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

In this follow-up to ELLA MENTAL: AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE, Ella and Toby have confessed their love for each other, and now Ella's certain they'll spend all their time together. Just when she has everything figured out, her dad drops a bomb on her and her twin sister, Anna.

He demands that each of them find a job within a week.

Anna takes up modeling. She and her mother start spending more time together, shopping for proper outfits and going to photo shoots, while Ella feels left out and under appreciated.

Ella spends her time trying to hang out with her friends and her boyfriend. However, cuddling with Toby makes their friends uncomfortable.

Can Ella find a way to balance out her life?… (más)

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Meet Ella Watson, or, as her friends call her, Ella Mental.

Ella makes sure that she follows and lives by everything written in her Good Sense Guide, the one with all the quotes and rules, such as "Treat others as you would like them to treat you," or "just because you feel something now doesn't mean you will feel this way forever."

Ella's Good Sense Guide is what helps her think straight when she has to deal with her crazy parents, who just aren't able to let Ella have a little freedom, and her obnoxious twin sister, Anna, who seems to be getting into more trouble then usual -- and changing for the worse.

But can the guide help Ella resolve all of her problems with her friends, who are all facing challenges and becoming distant? Like Frannie, whose usual perky self is now down in the dumps, or Pearl, who keeps on choosing the wrong guy. But what worries Ella the most is how her relationship with her best friend, Toby, is beginning to fade away.

At first glance, ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE may seem like any other teen novel filled with fluff and no substance, but as the story develops Amber Deckers takes the novel into a different direction than what was assumed. From bullying to racism to a secretly painful childhood, Ms. Deckers depicts issues that most teen novels ignore. ELLA MENTAL AND THE GOOD SENSE GUIDE is one of those stories that you will never forget.… (más)