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SpringSong #20
Jessica
Jessica Johnson is bored and frustrated with her humdrum farm-girl existence until she starts hanging out at the town's new coffeehouse. Its trend-setting crowd and sophisticated atmosphere seem to offer the change of pace she is looking for - especially the handsome waiter, Barry Bartowski. Eager to impress her new friends, Jessica creates a sleek new image for herself.
But her family's disapproval of her changed lifestyle results in a startling revelation about Jessica's past. Faced with disturbing questions no one wants to hear, she sets off across country to find the answers. Will Barry's love carry Jessica through this uncertain search?
But her family's disapproval of her changed lifestyle results in a startling revelation about Jessica's past. Faced with disturbing questions no one wants to hear, she sets off across country to find the answers. Will Barry's love carry Jessica through this uncertain search?
- GenresFictionChristian Fiction
175 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
About the author
Melody Carlson
424 books3,405 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 2, 2026
Even though I'm grown, I love going back to some of the young adult books that were published in my teen years. This was one that I never got around to reading, but knowing Melody Carlson and her gift with YA, I knew it would be memorable.
And from one page to the next, it definitely was. I cannot imagine a 16 year old in present time doing the things that Jessica did when this book was written 30 years ago. While she was responsible when it came to doing her chores and tackling tough tasks around their farm, she longed to stretch her wings beyond their little town, and the place to start was the new coffee shop downtown. It doesn't take much for an older boy to sweep her off her feet, and next thing she knows, she's "in love" with him. Despite all the warnings from her parents and older brothers that Barry was a bad influence, she runs away with him but has no idea where the road will take them. What began as a teenage rebellion quickly became a series of unexpected experiences, and it ultimately led her to the one person that she'd been shielded from her entire life.
While published by a Christian publisher, the faith content in this book was pretty limited. It seemed to focus more on good vs. bad choices. I'm not discounting the importance of that, but I guess I expected that Jessica's parents would have been more up front with her about their Christian faith and how her decisions should stem from a desire to honor God. In spite of this omission, the story did not shy away from showing how quickly peer pressure from others can cause you to do things that go against your morals.
Reading this book felt like stepping back into a different era of young adult fiction. While today's teens may not relate to every detail of Jessica's world, they'll still recognize the temptation to seek acceptance in the wrong places. That's a lesson that never really goes out of style.
And from one page to the next, it definitely was. I cannot imagine a 16 year old in present time doing the things that Jessica did when this book was written 30 years ago. While she was responsible when it came to doing her chores and tackling tough tasks around their farm, she longed to stretch her wings beyond their little town, and the place to start was the new coffee shop downtown. It doesn't take much for an older boy to sweep her off her feet, and next thing she knows, she's "in love" with him. Despite all the warnings from her parents and older brothers that Barry was a bad influence, she runs away with him but has no idea where the road will take them. What began as a teenage rebellion quickly became a series of unexpected experiences, and it ultimately led her to the one person that she'd been shielded from her entire life.
While published by a Christian publisher, the faith content in this book was pretty limited. It seemed to focus more on good vs. bad choices. I'm not discounting the importance of that, but I guess I expected that Jessica's parents would have been more up front with her about their Christian faith and how her decisions should stem from a desire to honor God. In spite of this omission, the story did not shy away from showing how quickly peer pressure from others can cause you to do things that go against your morals.
Reading this book felt like stepping back into a different era of young adult fiction. While today's teens may not relate to every detail of Jessica's world, they'll still recognize the temptation to seek acceptance in the wrong places. That's a lesson that never really goes out of style.
May 12, 2017
2.5 stars (overall 3)
The story wasn't bad. It had a good message. I disliked it because of the main character. Jessica irritated me at every turn and, basically ruined the whole book with her rebellious attitude. I get that that's the point of the whole story. She rebels, goes off the deep end, realizes how wrong she is and comes home. I understand, but she still ticked me off.
All-in-all, it was a pretty good story. Somewhere between “it was okay” and “I liked it.” Not a bad read, but if you're wanting something truly satisfying, you might wanna skip this one. But then again, maybe not. That's just this reader's honest opinion.
The story wasn't bad. It had a good message. I disliked it because of the main character. Jessica irritated me at every turn and, basically ruined the whole book with her rebellious attitude. I get that that's the point of the whole story. She rebels, goes off the deep end, realizes how wrong she is and comes home. I understand, but she still ticked me off.
All-in-all, it was a pretty good story. Somewhere between “it was okay” and “I liked it.” Not a bad read, but if you're wanting something truly satisfying, you might wanna skip this one. But then again, maybe not. That's just this reader's honest opinion.
February 5, 2017
I read this when I was in late elementary or junior high and really enjoyed it even though I may not have fully understood it, would love to find and read again.
August 17, 2009
This book started out slow, and I was really irritated with the main character as I thought she was making bone headed decisions.
Then the book got interesting as she started her journey back to the real world. I actually was pretty intrigued by the end, and I was glad when the lost ends were all tied up.
Then the book got interesting as she started her journey back to the real world. I actually was pretty intrigued by the end, and I was glad when the lost ends were all tied up.
June 19, 2015
I understand the point but I could never get passed how selfish, reckless, and just plain stupid Jessica was.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews