New Leaf: Ugly Me Book 3

by J.E. Stamper

She finally has a glimmer of hope, but will it be enough to save her?

After a long, traumatic ordeal, Randi Lewis has at last found peace and safety in the home of her once-hated teacher, Ms. Odum. But as she learns to adjust to her new life, old feelings and habits threaten to creep in and destroy everything. Because no matter how good things are now, some things never change.

And Randi knows that Ugly Me—and her old life—are just a heartbeat away.

On top of it all, Randi finds herself being forced uncomfortably close to an old enemy, one irrevocably connected to her painful past.

As challenges arise and pressures mount, Randi begins to worry that having a taste of true happiness and losing it may very well be worse than never having it at all.

Can Randi keep her Ugly Me locked away and learn to accept her new life, or will her terrible past come back to haunt her?

Find out today in the touching third book in the Ugly Me series!

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2023

Reviews

[Erin Predmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sunshine for someone’s leaf.

[Sara Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Definitely glad I started my year reading this. I loved that I could see into Randi’s mindset and feel exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. I have truly enjoyed reading JE Stamper’s “Ugly Me” series. Book 3 brought it all together and emphasized that we all are going through our own battles and to always spread sunshine wherever we go!

[Kathryn Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but maybe I’ve become a bit more cynical in my 32 years of teaching. It was probably too much of a happy ending for me. Our system is broken- in a lot of ways. These happy endings take a long time, with a lot more hurdles to overcome. I liked the writing, and the “voice” of the book. The first two books just held a bit more weight to me.

[Jana Upton Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

All educators should be required to read this book and the two in the series before this book! Miranda is the representation of so many school-aged kids in the United States. This character reminded me, as a teacher, that sometimes the behaviors are a mask to hide what is truly going on in life. New Leaf brought all the emotions to the surface. This book has opened my eyes to so many struggling kids in my school. Miranda shows us that there is hope for change. She is brave and strong and emotional as she shares her journey with the reader. The story touched me very deeply!

[Pam Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All parents and teachers should read this series. These students are sitting by your children and in our classrooms every day. Middle and high school students will benefit from reading this series. A fictional story based on the real-life experiences of real students, Ugly Me series is an entertaining, touching, heart breaking raw look at life through the eyes of one of our nation’s many suffering children. There is a wonderful ending to a tragic situation that shows there are saviors in our world.

[Heidi S Leibowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking look at the school dynamic

I absolutely love this series of three books. The main character grows so much. Her dawning awareness that everyone is hurting in some way sheds light on what students(and teachers) are bringing with them as they go through their school day.

[Mary Hulsether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugly Me series of books

This series of books were amazing. They were easy to read and definitely were very thought provoking. Anyone who works with children should read this book series. You never know what kids are going through and we should all be not so quick to judge!

[Michelle Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to end the series

Such a great book. Again the authors words reel you in making you laugh and cry! I really like the way the author makes you think about peoples lives. Rich vs poor. Troubles are always there.

[Kathleen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved this book! However, you need to read the first two books first. Hopefully, it will give you a glimpse of what some kids go through day in and day out! Empathy in schools is so important! Thank God for people/teachers like Carol!

[Michele Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book after reading Ugly Me & Perennial Girl. I want to see the progression of the story. This series can help all people working with children understand the attitudes some behaviors.i loved the ending!

[Cheryl McCrork · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good Book

This story showed even after good things happen it is hard for the abused to accept it. But the changes were nice to read about. It was good to see the changes made in their lives. It was fun to see the friendship made. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! J.E. Stamper is an excellent writer and reveals the reality of some of our students today in schools and how the challenges they face at home and personally impact their education.

[Lexi Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation to the series. Loved the message in this one

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Lead

Such a great book and series. I feel all educators should read them. They are very well written and bring insight to what some of our students feel.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Such a good ending to this series. Great message.

[Kerri Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the title and the connections to it in the story. I'm rooting for Miranda and Phoebe.

[Laurel Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

I now pay attention in the hallway to the kids that pass by me. I will do my best to keep food and water in my office.

[Sally Salter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third of three in a series. Well worth reading all three of these.

[Jill Sawrie]

Ugly Me Book 3

Well written, interesting, kept my attention
An easy read, but authentic and very believable
All teachers should read this series

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Every middle school teacher should read this series.

[Jennifer Van Haften · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is phenomenal. It's a must read for teachers and parents alike. You never know what someone else is going through.

[Autumn (Matching With Arin) Think Woolly Thoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for school. Best book of the series, but probably still something I wouldn't pick on my own or reread.

[Lumilda Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Parents, Teachers, and students middle school and above. There are four books to this series and this is the third one I’ve read and will be starting the fourth book today.

[Heather Overfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series about a young girl who has to practically raise herself and all she goes through to make it in school and in life. This book deals with her life in foster care. Great perspective for educators to have.

[Jorja Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have learned so much from this series. Must read for all teachers!