Booktalk Thursday- I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Abducted by their mentally ill father at a young age, Sam and his younger brother have been shuffled from town to town trying to outrun their father’s criminal activities.
Emily’s life is fairly normal: stable, loving family; top marks at school; good friends.
Sam visits churches on Sundays (a day he can venture out without interrogation about why he’s not in school) to enjoy the music.
Emily made a pact with her father: sing a solo in church and she’ll receive a bit more freedom.
Sam just wants to disappear into one of the last pews and lose himself in the music.
Emily can’t wait to get this over with. She can’t carry a tune. She chooses someone in the back of the church to focus on and sing to directly—it’s Sam.
Something between them sizzles and connects.
Who is he?
Who is she?
Emily can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous guy in church.
Sam can’t stop thinking about the beautiful girl with the horrible singing voice.
They’re destined to be together, but will circumstance pull them apart?

Get ready for an unforgettable ride! I’ll Be There by Sloan moves swiftly—so much happens to these wonderful characters. Once begun, this book is incredibly hard to put down. If you’re looking for a quirky book with lovable characters that has a movie-like feel, give this book a go! I would recommend this title to both guys and girls.
Also try:
Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams has the same sense of serendipity.
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is another engaging tale told in alternating male/female perspectives.
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer is a charming story featuring a young woman who has moved around quite a bit & finally finds a place to call home.
Zane’s Trace by Allan Wolf is a for readers looking for something a bit adventurous.