Bottled Up

Despite the fact that this novel doesn't have huge revelations about teen life or a tantalizing twist in the end or even a plot that is overly unique, Bottled Up is a fantastic read. I had trouble putting it down once I began it. My literary background kept waiting for "Pip" to have something in common with Dickens' Great Expectations, but that never happened, so I relaxed into Pip's tale of teenage woe--alcoholic father, mother in denial, endearing and annoying younger brother, meddling principal (who ultimately saves Pip's future). Even though nothing in the story surprised me (other than Mikey's accident--I'd figured on the cause being the father rather than Mikey himself), I loved this book. Pip is so much like the students I teach, trying to act cool and unaffected when so much is going on inside his head. His drug use in his situation is understandable and so is his decision to stop, especially with the group therapy members who have been where he is. A great book that doesn't preach, yet has the ending it really needs: a brighter future for Pip and his family. I have recommended this book to so many people, I've lost count AND I've loaned out both of my copies.

I could not put this book down, once I started reading it. It has got to be one of the best books ever written. We all need to applaud Jaye Murray on having such amazing writing skills. She did an EXCELLENT job on it, hands down, one of the best books. I love how she made the characters seem so real, like you could just picture them in your head, and have an idea on what theyre like. She did wonderful at that. I always LOVED how she had Pip's inner thoughts written in italics. It showed a lot about Pip, and it was like I knew him. All about him. Like I said, I couldnt put the book down, I finished it in a few hours, and I had to look back at certain parts..just because I enjoyed it so much. It's a very moving book, for both adults and teenagers. Like another reviewer said, I loved how the ending wasnt all happy and fake. It shows you that YOU are the only one who decides what you do with your life, whether it be good or bad. Very very good book, I reccomend it to ANYONE.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It shows that you have to let your feelings out sometimes, and even though your life can be really screwed up your the only one who can fix it. It shows a lot of conflict, and it makes you think about your life comparing to the book. I wish that Jaye had more books, because it took me 1 and a half days to read this. I could not put it down becasue I really wanted to no how it was going to turn out. The only part I didn't like was that Jaye should have made the Dad not look so innocent at the end. But overall the best book I have probably ever read.

Bottled up is a moving story about a teen on the brink of disaster who has to make a choice as to which path his life is going to take. I loved the characters in the story and found them very believable. I really liked the realistic portrayals of alcholism in a family. The main character, PIP is strongly developed by the author and easy to identify with for any teen I would think. I found the story kept me interested and I read it all the way through quickly, I couldn't put it down. The ending was my favorite part because it was realistic, everything had not gotten better for the character but he had changed and had made his own choices as to how to live his life. I loved the sense of hope that left the reader with. I also loved the theme throughout this story that everyone deserves a couple of chances and that sometimes giving a kid a chance is more important than following procedures or punishing. I would recommended this book to any teenager, mature adolescent or grown up. Its a great find!

My Aunt is Jaye's friend, so I got to read the book early when I met Jaye. I couldn't put it down. It is about a boy (Pip) and how he has to get consoling or get expelled. The book was highly interesting and I recommend it to ANYONE! I can't wait to get a copy of it myself, so I can read it again!