If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Title: If I Tell

Author: Janet Gurtler
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Acquired: Received free for an honest review
Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 72% C-

Buy It: Amazon

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

My Thoughts:: 
I'm not sure what made me decide to request this book for review after I reread the summary and then again after reading the book. Once again I misinterpreted the summary and thought that the kissing/secret was going to be with someone much more scandalous, like a teacher and an underage girl. Not sure why. By now I should really start to read summaries more carefully.

This book not only dealt with the topic of secrets, betrayal, and relationships but also of race. I've noticed that authors rarely breach this topic anymore, maybe assuming that it's old news and overdone. However, I didn't feel that way while reading it. It was obvious that race is still an issue and not everyone is as accepting as the people are where I live. Just because we don't see an issue doesn't mean that it's not there. The other topics also played a role in this book to a degree, but the obvious center was race.

Gurtler was trying to display some real issues in real life situations but I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Jasmine was a ridiculous main character. I love characters with personality flaws because I know that they will most likely grow and change or they will be overshadowed with something positive. But Jasmine just had a horrible attitude. I could not handle her excuses or reasoning behind her freaking out about things all of the time. It was so frustrating for her to act so erratically and back away from every possible solution. The only redeeming thing about her was how she acted after her brother was born.

Overall I think that If I Tell addressed many issues that I feel aren't touched upon enough in YA lit, too bad not much positive feedback can be given to the main character. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in the topic of race or just into keeping...or telling..secrets.