The Breakup Bible (by Melissa Kantor)

Some lovely writing and a colorful supporting cast breathe realism into this likable novel about a girl getting over her first heartbreak. Readers will relate to sad Jen, a driven school newspaper editor who now has to work closely with the boy who just broke up with her. They will also like her colorful family, which includes a foul-mouthed younger brother obsessed with hip-hop culture and a wacky grandmother who gives her an over-the-top self-help novel.

On the other hand, readers may tire of how long it takes Jen to get over Max, and they may not know what to make of The Breakup Bible (which instructs Jen to cut out inspirational messages such as "Mr. Wrong is in the garbage where he belongs" and "I complete me.") Also, the story line in which Jen writes a controversial newspaper article about race relations at her high school seems to come out of nowhere -- though it does energize her, and help her draw an important conclusion about Max. Ultimately, the author hits the right chord: Jen takes time getting over Max, but she also learns to take charge of her own life. Readers will cheer her on as she lands an important internship -- and even flirts with trying love again.