Book: The Nature of Jade
Author: Deb Caletti
Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Reviewed by: Kelly (Age 15)
Amazon.com Price: $8.99
Purchase: Here

The Nature of Jade is a compelling story of a girl, a boy, and... elephants (Yep, not your average teen romance novel). Jade Deluna has been diagnosed with Panic Disorder. Jade is a shy and cautious girl, and her disorder has made her even more so. But one thing helps Jade through her illness- visiting elephants at a local zoo, only blocks away. Jade even keeps a live zoo webcam on in her room to soothe herself over daily stresses. This is where things change for Jade. She meets Sebastian.

Normally, this is where the average "girl goes on date with guy, and falls madly in love with him" part in the review. But Sebastian is too different of a character for that, likewise is Jade. Sebastian lives with his grandmother and his son. Yup, son. Sebastian is in a complicated predicament, but Jade finally feels safe with him- and she's a very cautious creature, as are the elephants she volunteers to help with.

But there's one little thing. Something Sebastian has hidden from Jade. And now Jade has to decipher what she feels is right, or... what IS right.

With every chapter opening up with a portion of The Fundamentals of Animal Behavior, this novel compares the nature of humans with the nature of animals. This read has unexpectedly taught me a couple lessons in patience. While it might take you about half way through the book to "attach" yourself to the characters, this is all-in-all a unique read that personally kept me up into the early hours of the morning reading.