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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Middle School Librarian Title: Betting on You Author: Lynn Painter Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Not really, there are a lot of f-bombs thrown around by the male main character.
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I chose this book because I loved Lynn Painter's other YA books, Better than the Movies and The Do-Over :)
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
Painter has done it again with another teen rom-com that hits all the right notes.
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Review:
Our main characters in Betting on You, Bailey and Charlie, do not get off to a good start, when seated next to one another on a long-flight from Alaska to Nebraska. Though they share some similarities in both being the children of divorced parents, they disagree about almost everything else, including Charlie’s argument that "guys and girls can’t be friends." After the flight, the two go their separate ways, until three years later, when, now 17, they both land jobs at a new hotel waterpark in town. Despite Charlie's earlier argument, the teens playful banter begins to evolve into a friendship they both learn to cherish and perhaps even something more.
The book is told from both Bailey and Charlie's viewpoints, although relies more heavily on Bailey's. However, it's fun to see inside Charlie's head too, as readers get a glimpse of his internal struggle to keep Bailey at arm’s length, for fear of losing her, a la past relationships.
There’s a lot for students to connect with in this sweet rom-com. Bailey is struggling to cope with her mother’s new boyfriend and his constant presence in their lives; she hasn’t spoken to her father since her move and feels disconnected from him and his new life. Both Bailey and Charlie worry that any changes in their friendship will result in the loss of it. There’s a little fake dating and a fun ski trip to the mountains in Colorado.
My only complaint is the length. While I didn’t mind the 425-page count, and was sad when it ended, it will be a tougher sell the students who are intimidated by long books. Those who have read her previous titles will be an easier sell.
Number of party hats:
Find more about Betting on You at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publisher's Website
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