Between the Lines

By: Jodi Picoult, Samantha Van Leer

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie, Suzy Jackson, Nick Cordero

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

For her first-ever YA novel, #1 New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult collaborates with her teenage daughter Samantha van Leer on an exhilarating work of cross-generational appeal.

A story of romance, adventure, and humor, Between the Lines features high-schooler and social outsider Delilah, who discovers a charming fairy tale in the school library and can’t resist turning to it again and again. But one day she finds the book has hidden depths—and that the story’s handsome prince has somehow stepped from the page into her very own world.

©2012 Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer (P)2012 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A compulsively readable charmer. The teen dialogue and interior monologues feel authentic, while Picoult’s practiced hand balances humor with larger issues such as abandonment, hope, and existential quandaries related to fate and human nature. Both silhouette and pencil drawings abound; characters climb in and around the text to excellent effect. Younger readers and their parents will appreciate the gentle, wholesome romance, with nary a shred of paranormal action. The tender, positive tone and effective pacing that builds to a satisfying finish will inspire readers to pass the book to a friend—or reread it themselves." (Booklist)

"A clever YA romance about the magical relationship between a loner and her fictional “Prince Charming.” Elements from Picoult’s other novels—alternating character viewpoints with distinguishing fonts, snappy chapter endings—are present, and the story is peppered with pop culture references to The Hunger Games, the Kindle Fire, and the X-Men, as well as comic relief in the form of characters like a talking horse that thinks it has a weight problem. Readers...will be swept up by the romantic premise." (Publishers Weekly)

There may be a new author in the making

When I first bought this book; I thought it would be a normal Picoult book. A bit of a surprise when I heard that she co-wrote this with her daughter and for a young adult group. So, I adjusted my level of thinking with this book. The storyline was very clever. It kept me thinking throughout the book as to how she would manage to get the Prince out of the book. Or would the girl learn a rough lesson. For a young author, I think she has the potential to be as good as her mother.

Great escape!

Loved it. Made laugh and look my life a little differently. Hopeful, we all struggle sometimes.

Between The Lines

What made the experience of listening to Between the Lines the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed how original the plot was. I had read books about books before but this was a fresh twist. It was lovely imagining that if this was really possible in real life all the characters in books that could come alive and that you could talk to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Between the Lines?

When Delilah speaks to Prince Oliver for the very first time. Delilah does not have that many friends and when she speaks to Oliver it is nice watching their friendship//relationship develop.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The female narrator is wonderful she brings out the vulnerable side of Delilah while the male narrator brings out the confidence that is in Oliver.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A love against all odds.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy books about books with strong characters and an original plot then this is the book for you.

Definitley a teen read.

Would you try another book from Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer and/or the narrators?

Not if it was listed as a Young Adult book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will continue to read Jodi Picoult. I have read everything she has written. I like some better than others, but never one I didn't like.

Which scene was your favorite?

This book is Fantasy. I am a senior, and it is just not my read.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

I would like to see Jodi to continue on the path of her previous books.

An easy, fun read!

What made the experience of listening to Between the Lines the most enjoyable?

This was written in several levels, which made it intriguing. One level involved a girl who was reading the story and another involved the characters in the story who have lives apart from what is written in the story. Then there was what happened when the two intersected...

What other book might you compare Between the Lines to and why?

I don't know of any other like this.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The performance helped to draw me into the story...and laugh out loud sometimes. I have had some training in voice overs and narration, so I can appreciate some of what it takes.

Fun book for readers of any age

What a great story from a fantastic storyteller! (and her daughter)
Prince Oliver is the hero in the children's fairy tale, Between the Lines. He's bored, he doesn't really love the princess he marries on Forever After Beach every time the book is opened. But he IS in love with the reader, Delilah. She thinks she's gone mad when a character from her library book reaches out to her; based on her behavior, her mother and best friend thinks so too.
(BEST MERMAID DESCRIPTION EVER!!!)
Jodi Picoult is my favorite author and this YA fairy tale did not disappoint. My 14yo granddaughter and I have our own book club and this was the book we chose for February. She loved it too.
SO EXCITED this will be a Broadway musical, for those of you that live on the east coast, it would be amazing to see how this book will transform to the stage. (Wish I lived closer!!!)
My own personal rating system is based on the following:
POV-told from Prince Oliver and Delilah only, perfect. The readers did a great job and it was very obvious who's head you're in.
Predicability- LOVED the ending and didn't really see the happily ever after coming together but it totally did.
Realistic dialogue - for a teenager talking to a book character the dialogue flowed and was fun. It was realistic even thought was completely a fairy tale.

Good for anyone who still loves fairytales

I was torn about picking this up because of the low reviews, but for anyone who still has an interest in fairytales or has daydreamed about their stories coming to life, this book is amazing. It may not be for everyone, but for someone who shares my interest in fairytales, it’s absolutely worth the money.

I loved it!!!

I don't think you would like this from young adult up but I have listened to this story 100 times and it has never let me down.It is not like Normal Jodi Picoult but it's refreshing

The best fairytale

Super cute storyline! I never tire of listening to this fun YA book. It is a nice way to escape for a while.

Don't get this just because you like Jodi Picoult

Ok - I love Jodi Picoult's books, they make me think! I have loved every single one except the very first one she wrote (Song of the Humpback Whale) - HUH????
Anyways, I love all the rest of her books and purchased this one thinking that this was another sure deal and a good book. I think Jodi was just trying to help her daughter Samantha Van Leer with book sales. If you have a child who would like to listen to a fairytale romance, this might work for her. I would never recommend for an adult or teenager to read this book. Boring and slow!