The latest in the "True-to-Life from Hamilton High" series, Marilyn Reynolds' Baby Help is a novel of the nightmare of teen domestic abuse. A young mother doesn't see herself as battered because her boyfriend "only" hits her when he's been drinking... until he starts behaving abusively toward her daughter. That's when she realizes it's time to get out of the relationship - but after she reaches a shelter for battered women, she has second thoughts about leaving, which place her and her daughter's life in mortal jeopardy. Baby Help is a powerfully written fictional treatment of a very real and dangerous issue facing teens today.

I first read Marilyn Reynolds' books when I was working with her son, Matt, at Alhambra High School. I was very impressed with how insightful her writing is. Baby help is no acception. I now recommend her books to my high school students and they all say the same thing - "I couldn't put it down." These books even appeal to reluctant readers because they are so well written. Everyone should read these books!

I read this book and I think that girls in this situation can really relate, but I also think that this book would be good for anyone. I couldn't put this book down!

Belle's Journey is a wonderful book. This is the story of a mare, Belle, and her determination to fight the prairie winter in the 1920's. I really enjoy the many values gained from reading this book to my students. This story allows readers to discuss winter, prairie life, pioneer times, bravery, age discrimination and point of view. It is a well written, realistic fiction story from which both children and adults gain insight about life in the 1920s and how we face the same obstacles today. I have read aloud many pioneer books, and this is definetely a favorite!

I'll admit that this book touches my heart since it includes photos of Santas created by my Mom and me!! The pictures of the San Angelo Christmas at Old Fort Concho are wonderful along with the pictorials of Texas at its happiest. The recipes that I have tried live up to their press which is a pleasant surprise in this day of cookbooks! If you are from Texas, you need this book!! If you aren't from Texas, you'll love this book and wish you could celebrate right along with us!!!

Erica is a typical teen girl. She sticks up for her boyfriend, even when she starts to doubt him. She lies to her parents about their relationship, but it all comes out in the end, as all secrets do. Since I teach eighth grade, I felt the need to share this book with my students. I always tell them to not get hooked on one person,to look around, and not become too serious. This book shows exactly what could happen to anyone.

I have read almost all of the True to Life series books and I have enjoyed every one. It tells the stories of a young girls choice to stick up for her boyfriend and lie to her parents. This book also tells the effects rape has on it's victums. This, as well as all True to Life Series Books, is a sure read for teenagers growing up in the changing world around them.

Being a teen mom, I found this book very helpful to understand my son's father's point of view. Like Christy I was TOTALLY against aborion and we struggled quite a lot with that issue. We are no longer together, sadly to say, but I feel like if I would have read this book sooner, it could have helped us to work things out instead of fighting all of the time. I would strongly recommend this book to many teen moms that feel stranded, and like they are the only one out there in this position.

This book touches on many problems that a teenager might face in today's society. It is an extremely fast-reading book that I absolutely could not put down!

This is a must read for any teenager that might be facing pregnancy or living without a father figure in his or her life.

I LOVED IT. VERY POWERFULL IN WORDS. JEFFS LIVE TEACHES A BIG LESSON

To tell you the truth, the first time I read this book, I couldn't help but cry. I was only 16 myself at the time and very naive to the ways of the world, especially sex. To read this story and imagine a girl as young as myself going through such adult situations was a huge wake up call. This story was nothing short of an excellent portrayl of one girl's struggle with a broken home, little family support, an alcoholic mother, first love, first rejection, and becoming the "oldest 16 year old in the world" by missing all the activities that such a young girl should be partaking in. This story truly touched me and made me very cautious in all my decisions thus far. I applaud the author for her excellent portrayl of Emmy and her way of not "sugar coating" what really happens with teen pregnancy. This was, by far, the most fantastic book I read as a teenager. I highly recommend it to anyone, not only teens, but mothers of teens, preteen girls and even boys.

I think this book was excellent and I think it deserves five stars.It tells about a girls will to make it with her baby.She doesn't have much support though, her mom wants her to get an abortion, her brother can't really help because he's in and out of jail, and her boyfriend leaves her.She ends up having the baby and does the best she can. There are some bad things about this book too.For the most part though it was pretty good.I was the first one to read the book and then it was passed around to all my friends.I think that if you are a teen you should really read it because I think it will make sure you make the right choices because it tells you how hard it is and all the sacrifices you'll have to make with a baby.Even if you are a guy you should read it because it tells all the sacrafices they have to make too.So read this book it is one of the best books I have ever read.

Detour for Emmy is an exceptional book, it is well written and has a great plot for young adults. Emmy found herself 16 and with a baby. With no help from her mother a single parent who is an acholic and works late nights, the boyfriend that claims he would never leave her has broken up with her when he found out that she is pregnant. The only person who believes in her is her brother, but is no help now because he is in and out of jail. Before all this confusion started, Emmy was a well rounded girl. She was a straight A student, a star soccar player, a lead soprano choir singer, with an opportunity to get 4 years of collage payed for. All this and a upper classman boyfriend that everyone girl fawns over. Life is good until one night on the beach Emmy and her boyfriend have unprotected sex. That is when Emmy's life goes down the drain and to the gutter. Although her mother and boyfriend insist on her having an abortion, Emmy refuses she thinks by having the baby that someone will finally love and appreciate her.

"I didn't turn into a lesbian any more than you turned straight. You are straight. I am lesbian. That's just how it is." This is how Kit explains things to her best friend, Lynn in Marilyn Reynolds, Love Rules. Love Rules is the eighth novel in Reynold's True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High. At first glance, this book may seem like a simple book on friendship and coming out as a lesbian in high school. It is all that and much, much more. It is a story of friendship, love and romance, values, prejudices of all kinds and standing up for what you believed in. Reynold's does all this while creating a gripping novel and without being the least bit preachy or boring. Love Rules is definitely true-to-life and definitely, a good read. I highly recommend it!

This is a very good book. It's about a 12-year old girl named Cassie who was sexually abused by the man of the children she babysat. Reading this book makes you think about all the things going on today in this world. Especially that this book is a true-life story, it also may make you feel more protective of your-self. I have read another book of the same author, called Detour for Emmy. Both books can inspire their readers and teach a whole lot about the world.

This book hits home for most girls as we all grapple with the issue of sexual relations before marriage. But, it seemed as if the author was trying *too hard* to be "hip" and "cool" and use slang that kids use now days. Nice story line, but a little more than a tad cheesy for my taste. In some areas, it was so cheesy it was painful while other times it flows along nicely. An okay read if you need to (I read this title for a report on STDs and teen sexuality) but I definitly wouldn't recommend this.

I think this was a really good book. I think that Lauren did the right thing by waiting and I also think that she should forget about Tyler he is no good. I just wanted to say if you read this book you might be kind of dissapointed in the end it leaves you wanting more!

I thought this book was great. I read it when I was 13, and at the end ( I wont tell what happens) I cried. I could not believe Tyler did that to Lauren! But I think its very realistic and it made me want even more to wait for sex