The Nature of Jade
by Deb Caletti

    THE NATURE OF JADE by Deb Caletti
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  2/27/07
    Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
    Reviewed by:  Kylie
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Jade DeLuna does not know how to cope with the shortness of breath
    and dizzy feelings, but could this all change when she meets the boy in the red jacket?

    Jade,18, is in her senior year of high school when she is diagnosed. She knows nothing good can come out of it and
    she thinks not even the support of her family can help her through. Not only that, but her other family members have
    problems of their own.  

    Like her little brother, Oliver, who loves reading THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA books, but their dad has
    other plans for him. Dad wants Oliver to love sports, but even though Oliver has tried many times with soccer,
    baseball, and football, he can't seem to enjoy them. Jade and Oliver both notice their parents' marriage is falling
    apart, with mom always at PTA meetings and dad locking himself downstairs with his wooden city sculptures.

    With all of this, Jade doesn’t feel relaxed a bit.

    Soon Jade finds an escape from everything, and that escape is the elephants. Not only do the elephants calm her
    down, they make her feel important and not so tied up in her schoolwork. Jade puts a video cam on the local zoo's
    elephants cage so she can have the elephants anytime she wants on her computer screen -- but one night she notices
    on the live video a boy in a red jacket with a toddler. Jade is so intrigued by the young man and the toddler that she
    volunteers at the zoo's elephant park. One day, while leaving the zoo, she finally meets the young man. The moment
    he speaks, Jade knows she likes him and she knows she wants to see him again.

    Will I ever see the mysterious young man and the toddler again ?

    If I do, will it develop into a relationship?

    And is the toddler his kid?

    These are all questions that Jade asks herself, and if you read this book you will find the interesting answers.

    THE NATURE OF JADE by Deb Caletti is a great novel that keeps you attached and interested until the end.  Ms.
    Caletti definitely knows how to write an engaging life story and I totally recommend this book to anyone who loves
    reading.  I give it 5 stars!!!