Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

[description from Amazon]

After living in twelve places in eight years with her drifting mother, fourteen-year-old Calle Smith finds herself in Andreas Bay, California, at the start of ninth grade. Fearful of putting down roots anywhere, but armed with her song journal, she moves to her own sound track through a world that bounces her between the school drama crowd, a mysterious loner, and an unlikely boy who will become her first love. But it's the troubling truth she uncovers about her father that forces Calle to face the toughest choice of her young life.

Review:

Wow. This book was just...fantastic. Fexcellent, fawesome, and every other good adjective that starts with 'f.'

The best thing about the book was that the characters were all just really well developed and believable, especially Calle, the main character. She was definitely the best character in the book. As the story progressed, we learned more about her past and how the rather sad events in her past have effected her. She has realistic reactions to all the events except, I felt, for one. (But I'm not telling what it is because it's way too spoiler-y.) Throughout the whole book she's trying to figure herself and the people around her out, and in the end, I think she does. She's also got typical teenage girl problems, which I think a lot of people can relate to.

The bits about Calle trying to figure out why her mom won't let her dad and what is up with potential boyfriend Sam's home life add a touch of mystery to the story. I always enjoy a bit of mystery in what I read. It keeps me wondering.

Also, I loved how all the chapter titles were names of songs. It shows just how important music is to Calle is her ever-changing life.

Bad things...bad things...I can't think of any really significant ones other than that I thought Sam and Calle got a little annoying at times.

I definitely recommend this book. It was absolutely wonderful.

9/10