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The Blue Jay
A debut novel about a young woman and a young boy scarred by abandonment who find they share an unlikely bond. Josie McCray was eight years old when her mother left. Now a young teacher, she guards her heart carefully but finds herself pulled to mentor a child in need. Payton Runnells was 12 when his mother left. Now in foster care, he’s slow to trust anyone but senses that Josie might somehow understand the grief that grips him. As Josie and Payton lower their walls and forge a friendship, they begin to open themselves up to all life has to offer.
- GenresFiction
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
21 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Schlicher
8 books121 followersMICHELLE SCHLICHER is the author of contemporary novels, including The Blue Jay, Gracie’s Song, Come This Way,
Me & Milo the Great
and The Way of Lessons, and the Murphy McWoo children’s book series, featuring
A Gnome Story: Adventures with Murphy McWoo
and A Birthday Gnome Story: Murphy McWoo Turns 302.
She lives with her family in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa.
Find more info at michelleschlicher.com or by following @michelleschlicher on Instagram.
She lives with her family in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa.
Find more info at michelleschlicher.com or by following @michelleschlicher on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 18, 2020
If I remember correctly, I got this as a freebie from Kindle but don't feel like looking through my records right now haha. I've been trying to get through my backlog of Kindle reads and have had some minor success.
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This one was touching in some parts but also didn't feel developed enough in others.
There were parts and people I wanted to know more about besides Josie.
Not saying I didn't like Josie, but parts of the story felt like they suffered a bit when the focus was on her parts of the story. Those were necessary for her character yes, but at the same time others felt shunted off to the side for the most part.
Mia was awesome and so was Louis. The latter I would love to read his story, what was touched on in here was very moving and I was sad when he disappeared from the narrative.
Peyton's friendship with Josie didn't feel as deep as it could have either. Would have loved to see more developments there and more bonding. It kind of felt like we stopped midway and never made it back from there.
Another one of those books that would have benefited from being longer methinks.
It did keep my attention and suck me into what was going on so points there, but for this reader it was not as good I hoped it would be.
Give it a shot though if you're curious and see what you think.
Happy reading!
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This one was touching in some parts but also didn't feel developed enough in others.
There were parts and people I wanted to know more about besides Josie.
Not saying I didn't like Josie, but parts of the story felt like they suffered a bit when the focus was on her parts of the story. Those were necessary for her character yes, but at the same time others felt shunted off to the side for the most part.
Mia was awesome and so was Louis. The latter I would love to read his story, what was touched on in here was very moving and I was sad when he disappeared from the narrative.
Peyton's friendship with Josie didn't feel as deep as it could have either. Would have loved to see more developments there and more bonding. It kind of felt like we stopped midway and never made it back from there.
Another one of those books that would have benefited from being longer methinks.
It did keep my attention and suck me into what was going on so points there, but for this reader it was not as good I hoped it would be.
Give it a shot though if you're curious and see what you think.
Happy reading!
December 12, 2015
If you're hankering for a Hallmark special before Christmas, this is your book. Sweet and fluffy, it will pack you full of great vibes and inspiration, so you'd better read it closer to the New Year for maximum punch. The plot resolves a little too neatly for my taste, but call me a Grinch and that's that. Full review to be posted soon on the blog.
May 16, 2020
So far this is the most boring read of 2020 so far. I don't think this went anywhere near an editor. The transition between paragraphs was grade level at best. The characters were flat with very little personality. The story was very cliché and somewhat unbelievable in some parts.
February 9, 2018
Heart rending and inspired by the humans heart to find if hope
Shows the human hearts ability to hope and never stop looking for love and the ability to continue to make their own family.
Shows the human hearts ability to hope and never stop looking for love and the ability to continue to make their own family.
August 2, 2017
Thank you for such an inspirational read.
December 29, 2017
بين احداث الماضي والذّكريات التي جمعت مَابين شخصين أحبٌا بعضهما البعض حدّ النهاية، قصّة أعادا سردها كلاهما حينمَا التقيا مُصادفة وبعد انقطاعٍ طويل يتذكّر كلا منهما لحظات مضت بالجنون والرّوعة
March 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It's never to late to learn about yourself.
March 3, 2020
i really enjoyed this book. it has been awhile since i read a book that is just about a life. it was refreshing. i loved how descriptive the writing was. i could see it in my head like a movie. really enjoyed it
October 23, 2015
First of all, don't you just love this cover? I know I do!
And then the story is just amazing! I fell in love with Josie and Payton and I loved watching their relationship grow. What a great friendship they had and they were really good for each other.
Josie's mother left when Josie was just 8 years old. No explanation, just walked out of her life. That's got to be tough on a little girl and how could she not put walls up around herself to protect her heart?
'But your mother always had a piece of herself that she kept hidden away. When I first met her, she was a firecracker, but she would also get quite morose at times, and I would have a hard time trying to snap her out of it. It was like she went away in her mind for a bit. She always came back, but as time went on, it took longer for her to find the cheery part of herself again.'
Josie is a good teacher and she loves her job, but she feels like she wants to do more with her life so she starts thinking about becoming a mentor. She is immediately drawn to Payton's story, which is so similar to her own. Payton's mom left him standing outside of school when he was just 12 years old.
'She didn't stop - why didn't she stop.'
As Josie and Payton get to know each other and start to build some trust, they teach each other so much about life, love, and forgiveness. Their experience is an example of mentoring done right. It's not all smooth sailing but they are there for each other. And they learn so much from one another.
'She was finally living it, finally a participant and not just a spectator.'
I also loved the relationship that Josie had with Louis, an older gentleman she meets on a plane. Louis has cancer and the two of them develop a friendship while he is in the hospital undergoing his treatments. He has lived a long life and is a very wise man. He becomes a great friend to Josie.
'Change was happening all the time. She couldn't stop it. And, really, she didn't want to.'
The story was fabulous, with great characters. I just wish it would have been a little longer, so I could have spent more time with everyone and could have watched their relationships develop even more.
And then the story is just amazing! I fell in love with Josie and Payton and I loved watching their relationship grow. What a great friendship they had and they were really good for each other.
Josie's mother left when Josie was just 8 years old. No explanation, just walked out of her life. That's got to be tough on a little girl and how could she not put walls up around herself to protect her heart?
'But your mother always had a piece of herself that she kept hidden away. When I first met her, she was a firecracker, but she would also get quite morose at times, and I would have a hard time trying to snap her out of it. It was like she went away in her mind for a bit. She always came back, but as time went on, it took longer for her to find the cheery part of herself again.'
Josie is a good teacher and she loves her job, but she feels like she wants to do more with her life so she starts thinking about becoming a mentor. She is immediately drawn to Payton's story, which is so similar to her own. Payton's mom left him standing outside of school when he was just 12 years old.
'She didn't stop - why didn't she stop.'
As Josie and Payton get to know each other and start to build some trust, they teach each other so much about life, love, and forgiveness. Their experience is an example of mentoring done right. It's not all smooth sailing but they are there for each other. And they learn so much from one another.
'She was finally living it, finally a participant and not just a spectator.'
I also loved the relationship that Josie had with Louis, an older gentleman she meets on a plane. Louis has cancer and the two of them develop a friendship while he is in the hospital undergoing his treatments. He has lived a long life and is a very wise man. He becomes a great friend to Josie.
'Change was happening all the time. She couldn't stop it. And, really, she didn't want to.'
The story was fabulous, with great characters. I just wish it would have been a little longer, so I could have spent more time with everyone and could have watched their relationships develop even more.
January 12, 2016
Josie McCray believes that she can be a positive influence to a child by volunteering with a group called "My Mentor & Me". As a single, 2nd grade teacher at Montpier Elementary, she has experience with children and the free time to offer to a child in need. When she is told about 12 year old Payton Runnells, whose mother disappeared a year ago, she knew she could relate to him. Her mother packed a suitcase, got in a car, and left when Josie was only 8 years old. She was confident that she would be able to sympathize with Payton. Though Payton was hesitant about Josie being his mentor, the yearly trip to help clean out the bird feeders at her father's house, he began to open up a little. Soon they were training together for the 5K run "Miles for Mentors". When Payton confides in Josie by telling her that he sometime feels like he is waiting for something important to happen to him, and then being disappointed when it doesn't, Josie begins to examine her own feelings about her life. Together, they will soon experience death, new life, and the fear of opening up their lives to other people to learn about trust, love, and forgiveness.
I won this book through Goodreads giveaway First Reads, and was encouraged to give it an honest review.
I won this book through Goodreads giveaway First Reads, and was encouraged to give it an honest review.
August 2, 2016
This book was jut okay.
The plot: Josie who was abandoned by her mom decides to mentor Payton, a foster kid in the same situation. Josie struggles to have deeper relationships with people and her relationship with Peyton helps her open her heart......etc.
The writing: I found the beginning slow and really could not become interested in the characters. Some of it was so trite, (the nice guy Ben who is waiting for Josie in the background, the angst Josie has in her life, etc.) There were some characters who just seemed to be thrown in to take up room (the room mate Sway and her boyfriend Robbie for instance). Josie's close relationship with her dad was written as almost an afterthought, with such little development it was quite disappointing.ben had no character development at all he was just a name basically. I found I was forcing myself to read it. Toward the middle the book picked up, when Josie met Louis, the man going through chemo on the plane and when best friend Mia had her baby prematurely. For a period there was some character depth and quality. Unfortunately the book ended as dull and flat as it began, with everyone happy but no development into how they became happy. I really would not recommend this book to a friend.
The plot: Josie who was abandoned by her mom decides to mentor Payton, a foster kid in the same situation. Josie struggles to have deeper relationships with people and her relationship with Peyton helps her open her heart......etc.
The writing: I found the beginning slow and really could not become interested in the characters. Some of it was so trite, (the nice guy Ben who is waiting for Josie in the background, the angst Josie has in her life, etc.) There were some characters who just seemed to be thrown in to take up room (the room mate Sway and her boyfriend Robbie for instance). Josie's close relationship with her dad was written as almost an afterthought, with such little development it was quite disappointing.ben had no character development at all he was just a name basically. I found I was forcing myself to read it. Toward the middle the book picked up, when Josie met Louis, the man going through chemo on the plane and when best friend Mia had her baby prematurely. For a period there was some character depth and quality. Unfortunately the book ended as dull and flat as it began, with everyone happy but no development into how they became happy. I really would not recommend this book to a friend.
May 30, 2016
The Blue Jay is a very beautiful book that really touched my heart. I am usually not one to pick up and enjoy a book with realistic qualities but this one had a very captivating story and read very quickly. Although I did not experience a situation similar to this, I felt like I could relate it back to my own life. The relationship Josie and Payton develop was extremely beautiful.
I wish the story would've been developed further in the end. I wasn't quite ready for it to end, but I guess that is what makes a great story. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes heartfelt stories or movies. I could see this book being turned into a Lifetime movie!
I wish the story would've been developed further in the end. I wasn't quite ready for it to end, but I guess that is what makes a great story. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes heartfelt stories or movies. I could see this book being turned into a Lifetime movie!
October 13, 2015
How many of us think we're too "normal" to make a difference in this world? That our lives are too average to really matter? The Bluejay sparked something within me...a desire to make a difference, even right here in my own community. What might seem small to us can be so huge to another!!! Best of all, this book shows how when we build up others, often we're helping ourselves as well!
November 17, 2015
This novel was absolutely wonderful! Michelle had me hooked from the first page and I just couldn't put the book down. Michelle did an excellent job making the characters so easy to relate to. She did a wonderful job portraying the importance of mentoring for both the mentor and mentee. I am looking forward to future books Michelle has to published.
February 6, 2017
I got all the feels from this book it was fairly inspirational. I loved all the characters in the story they were well developed. The plot is good and you are able to see the growth of the characters through out the story. I do enjoy that there is a realistic ending to the story and bit of a happy ending. Goodread.
August 25, 2016
This book hooked me from the start! I felt so many different emotions during the story and the characters were so relatable. I found myself dreading the end because I didn't want to be done with it. I've read multiple times and each time I enjoy it more than the last!
November 26, 2015
This book will make your soul smile. Filled with situations we all find ourselves in from day to day, The Blue Jay reminded me to always see the good in others. It's inspirational and captivating storyline kept me inthralled. A great read for young and mature adults alike.
January 22, 2016
A beautiful story about the power of finding peace in forgiveness! The story grabs at your heart strings and doesn't let go until the very last word. You are bound to connect to at least one character in this book and will find yourself wondering how they are doing! Hoping for a book two!
December 29, 2015
This was a very heartwarming story and could not put it down ...... Can't wait to read more by this author
January 17, 2016
An intimate story of two people struggling with loss. Josie a mentor to Payton has the tables turned on her as he demonstrates to her hoe
W to forgive
W to forgive
May 2, 2016
I enjoyed this book very much. Real life and people you can like and care about.
April 30, 2017
This book was a great read about a foster boy in many homes and a teacher finally mentoring him.It was the author's first novel and I surely hope that she will write another one soon. I won this novel.
May 18, 2017
The Blue Jay
I loved this book. It really had a message that would fit anyone . The characters were so real. I could actually see the development taking place. Very clear writing by the author.
I loved this book. It really had a message that would fit anyone . The characters were so real. I could actually see the development taking place. Very clear writing by the author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews