Hidden Gem

I came across this book and found the summary to be only semi interesting, but I decided to take a chance on it anyways…and I was NOT disappointed! It’s a great book on bullying & not judging a book by it’s cover! It’s too bad it’s not part of a series bc I’d definitely buy the next ones!

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Audio performance best I've ever heard

Not many stories I hear or read are completed in one session. This was one of them. This has to be the best narrated book I've ever heard. I actually forgot I was listening to someone else on many occasions throughout this story. They captured every nuance of Layla that it felt as if they Were Layla. At least to me. Kudos to the voice actor: Jesse Vilinsky

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This will stick with me

My husband makes fun of me because I listen to a lot of YA books. This one will haunt me. As a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I think this book has something we can all learn from. The narration was great too. So much emotion in all the right places.

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Drawn in from the start

After so many unrewarding starts lately, this one was everything I was waiting for. Characters who pull you into their world, who you instantly want to stay with and learn more! A book you don’t want to end, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Narration is grating when doing the little boy voice-I turned the volume down and risked missing a few extra words because everything else was so worth it.
Thank you for writing this book

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A Life of Uncertainty

Elison takes a deep, disturbing look at the life of a teenager dealing with a dysfunctional parent. Layla lives a life of uncertainty. Her house is disgusting. She is bullied by her classmates and pitied by some.

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Such a great listen!

I listened to Find Layla in one sitting, because I just couldn't stop. This was an incredibly moving novel, and I definitely teared up in several places.

Layla is a fourteen-year-old girl with a six-year-old brother, and she has been taking care of him and herself for as long as she can remember. Her mother, while there, isn't really present. Though they have an apartment in a complex where her mother works as the property manager, their apartment is not a safe place to live. Though they have power at times, it is intermittent based on when their mother happens to pay the electric bill.

Layla does the best she can, but she's fourteen. At school, she is in the gifted program and does really well in her classes, excelling in science because she wants to be a scientist someday. However, she has been the victim of some major bullying at school by other students. Though her teachers suspect that not all is right at home, no one suspects the true extent of the problem. Until someone finds out.

Suddenly, Layla's life is suddenly being turned upside down, and she is struggling.

This book deals with some very tough issues, and I would absolutely suggest that parents either read this book with their kids, or make sure to talk about it with them as they're reading it.
Despite the tough issues, though, I think it is absolutely worth reading. Layla is such a strong young woman who inspires so much compassion. Even in the face of a terrible home life and all the bullying at school, she still has plans; she knows how to make her life better and is just waiting until she graduates high school and turns 18 to put the plans into action.

Listening to the audiobook, narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, was tough. She did such a wonderful job with the narration, imbuing so much feeling into the story that I felt like I was inside the story. The voice she used for Andy was so full of innocence that I found myself smiling at his parts, even as I was tearing up. And that ending. Oh, man. That ending.

Long story, short. This book is absolutely worth reading or listening to.

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Won't Forget. Heartwrenching

Broke my heart. And sadly, a possibly true account for some. Andy really got to me.

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So Sad but a Great Book

Makes me feel fortunate for my childhood and to think twice before judging others on how they look.

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Wow!

Very sad how this actually happens in real life to children! It was very touching and moving. Almost had me crying at work. Loved every single thing about it!

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Find Layla

Meg Elison does an excellent job with her characters and their personas. The story is riveting and you cannot wait to find out more. The end makes you want to know more about Layla and how she proceeds towards her favored career.

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