In the Garage

by Alma Fullerton

Barbara Jean (BJ) Belanger has always suffered from low self-esteem: she has a portwine birthmark on her face, she feels overweight, and has repeatedly suffered the taunts of others her age for which she is a natural target, a victim. One of the very few who have treated her with respect, understanding and affection is Alex, who becomes her best friend. And what's ripping her apart as the story opens is that she knows she has betrayed him in the worst possible way. She didn't realize that he needed her support just as much as she needed his.

The real agents behind her betrayal are two other girls at school, Victoria and Rachel, gorgeous creatures who like flirting with Alex and who pretend that they want to be BJ's best friend. When Alex takes on a new member of his garage band, David, the balance of all their lives is upset, as Alex seems to display more affection for David than for her. Drifting away from her close friendship with Alex, BJ gets drawn into the glamour girls' orbit, and people start gossiping about Alex's close friendship with his new singer. Disaster comes when BJ is persuaded that she should steal Alex's journal of poems, in which he reveals the dark secret of his real feelings forDavid. Very quickly, BJ's life is turned upside down in a terrible moment in which the meanness of the world proves too much to bear.

Alma Fullerton brings fresh twists to the meaning of love and betrayal in her uncompromising portrayal of two lonely souls whose profound regard for each other isn't enough to save their friendship.

Genres: Young Adult

181 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Alma Fullerton was first known for her award-winning free-verse novels for juvenile and young-adult readers, including the Governor General's Award-nominated Libertad. Alma's picture book A Good Trade was a White Ravens Choice, a Bank Street Best Book, and a nominee for a number of awards. In a Cloud of Dust won the Rainforest of Reading Award and was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. When the Rain Comes was a 2018 USBBY Outstanding International Book, among other honors, and Community Soup was a CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection. Alma lives in Midland, Ontario

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was suspenseful and moving, but the beginning was weak. It wasn't until page 20 that I realized that BJ was a girl. The story kind of dragged until halfway through, and then it quickly picked up, and I couldn't put it down. The ending was not quite satisfying, however, because it left a few things hanging, such as what happened to the perpetrators of the crime? What happened to Dave? I'd like to see the beginning and ending reworked a bit more.

[Zachery Deleski-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alma Fullerton proves again why she is one of my favorite authors. This book is very well written through BJ's narration and Alex's journal entries. Fullerton does a great job of showing the pain our two main characters were going through. This was a very quick read, and even know we start with the eulogy, the ending is even more emotional than predicted. Fantastic book!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I really enjoyed reading this novel.

[***^_^TrIsTaN^_^*** · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm up here, in front of God, the priest, and the congregation listening to EVERY SINGLE AMPLIFIED BREATH, of every person in front of me, unable to say a god-dang word about the guy who was my best friend for eight years. All I can do is stand silent, and think about how it all began. Anguish and loneliness, the pressure to conform versus the yearning to be different, the ongoing need to discover one's identity-they're all part of the fabric of this tightly written, disturbing, but compelling teen novel. Barbara Jean has always suffered from low self-esteem. She has a dark birthmark on her face and has repeatedly suffered the taunts of others her age for whom she is a natural target, a victim. One of the very few who have treated her with respect is her best friend, Alex. What's ripping her apart as the story opens is that she knows she has betrayed him in the worst possible way. She didn't realize that he needed her support just as much as she needed his, when he realized the truth of his feelings for their new bandmate, David. Truth and rumour, fantasy and reality, love and prejudice collide in a terrible, violent moment that will change their lives forever

[Elizabeth]

Barbara Jean (BJ) Boulanger lacks the self-esteem and confidence needed to survive in her high school, but when her desire to fit in causes her to betray her best friend, her actions have devastating consequences that change her life forever.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alma Fullerton knows the novel-in-verse form. Loved this poignant book. If you want to write a verse novel, attend one of her workshops offered by the Society of Children's Book writers & Illustrators.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

when i found this book,and i began reading it and from then on i was addicted to the story.I like this book.Simply put.

[Angela Juline]

for anna

[Paraskevi Mazarakiotis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary & relevant teen issues: homophobia,fitting in with the cliques, suicide, and ostracism. It kept my attention until the end. An easy read with an important message for teens.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative. Loved the simple way it was written. Contains insight into the life of teens. Should have a language and content warning as it is very hard-hitting.

[Amy Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://amysmarathonofbooks.ca/in-the-...

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... I don't even know what to say! It was really good! I just don't understand how he died. Was it suicide? Or from getting beat up multiple times? But other than that it was a great book!

[Derrith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would really like to give this one 3 1/2 stars. Come on, half stars!!

[Kylee Isabella]

one of my favorites i could not put it down.