Ella Bella

by Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons

Set in 2001, Ella Drake has just experienced two terrible her father's death and her brother going overseas to fight the war against terroism. Just when things start to calm down in her life, her mother's job is outsourced to India.Frightened, Ella tries to find security for herself and her mother. The search for security leads to a children's bookstore, a new friend, and her first kiss. And possibly, it paves the way for healing to begin.From the bestselling author of I Woke Up In Love This Morning, Ella Bella explores loss and how lives can be changed in an instant, and how a family has to pick up the pieces.

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2012

About the author

Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons graduated from Mills College with a degree in English, a concentration in Young Adult Literature, and a Masters in Writing and Publishing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Central California and is at work on a True Crime Narrative and a historical novel.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. This book had a lot of typo's, it's unbelievable it got passed the editors. But my what a story. Its was refreshing to read. It was like taking a eek into a girls life, watching her hurt, laugh, struggle, and succeed. I loved it.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is hard to lose someone, either by leaving or by death. In Ella Bella, Ella loses her dad, to death, and her brother, leaving to the military. She is angry, sad, and scared and not even really aware that she is feeling all these things.

This book looks at loss and grief through the life of Ella and, to a smaller extent, her mother. I really enjoyed reading this book, although at times I felt it was probably most appropriate for middle school or middle grade students, except for a few adult themes that would not be appropriate for that age.

I give this book 3 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.