Not Like You

by Deborah Davis

I have to say that it took me until the last page to like this book. Another title on this year's Tayshas list, Not Like You has many of the things I really dislike in a book--a depressing plot, dysfunctional and angry characters, and too many "mature" references. But I just couldn't help cheering for Kayla, the main character, on the last page, when it became obvious that she would not allow life to defeat her.

Kayla lives with her single, alcoholic mom, Marilyn. For the fifth time in two years, Marilyn is moving them to a new place, because she just can't make things work where she is. Her solution for trouble is to leave. After a year in foster care a few years back, Kayla is willing to do whatever it takes to help her mom out, including helping with groceries and rent from her own earnings, even though she is only 15. For a change, this move is toward someone, instead of just away from trouble. Marilyn has found her own mother from whom she has been estranged for many years. But when they arrive in her home town, they find that Marilyn's mom has just recently died. They stay anyway, and Kayla finds herself making some friends and putting down roots. She meets a guy much too old for her, but he treats her well, and Kayla is smitten. Meanwhile, Marilyn's attempt at a fresh start doesn't go as planned, and she starts drinking again. This makes Kayla furious, and she finally decides that it's OK to live for herself instead of constantly propping up her mother. She steals some money from friends and takes off for Denver, where her boyfriend is living with his band. Some hard knocks move Kayla in the right direction, when she realizes she's done what she swore she would never do--she's become like her mother at her worst.

--reviewed by D. Sams