Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky

A ripped-from the headlines novel, about mothers, daughters, friendships, love and forgiveness. A group of teen girls, forms a pact to become pregnant, without considering the true consequences of their actions. The small town they live in becomes full of controversy and complicates the lives of the involved parents and teens. The plot reminds me of something, Jodi Picoult would tackle with the exception of the ending (it's a bit, too tidy). The characters are well developed and most are likable. Expect drama with a touch of romance. You will be drawn into the novel and easily become fully engrossed. 

Grade: B+ 

 Synopsis A pregnancy pact between three teenaged girls puts their mothers' love to the ultimate test in this explosive new novel from Barbara Delinsky, “a first- rate storyteller who creates characters as familiar as your neighbors.” (Boston Globe) When Susan Tate's seventeen-year-old daughter, Lily, announces she is pregnant, Susan is stunned. A single mother, she has struggled to do everything right. She sees the pregnancy as an unimaginable tragedy for both Lily and herself. Then comes word of two more pregnancies among high school juniors who happen to be Lily's best friends-and the town turns to talk of a pact. As fingers start pointing, the most ardent criticism is directed at Susan. As principal of the high school, she has always been held up as a role model of hard work and core values. Now her detractors accuse her of being a lax mother, perhaps not worthy of the job of shepherding impressionable students. As Susan struggles with the implications of her daughter's pregnancy, her job, financial independence, and long-fought-for dreams are all at risk. The emotional ties between mothers and daughters are stretched to breaking in this emotionally wrenching story of love and forgiveness. Once again, Barbara Delinsky has given us a powerful novel, one that asks a central question: What does it take to be a good mother?