I really enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the way the author wrote the book as a letter to JL’s best friend. It was unique and different.

JK is Dead to Me was very realistic book. JL maintained a pretty level head with everything she had going on in her life. The drama of high school, a depressed parent, a missing parent and a “misfit” boyfriend. I’m not so sure I would have made it out quite as well as she did. I always have a soft heart for books where kids don’t always have the easiest life. It always makes me realize that I should never take anything I have for granted.

I think this book is great for YA or even parents of YA. Of course I would recommend to anyone who doesn’t fit into that category too, because to be honest, I really liked it! But I just think it might be a book mid to older teens could relate to.

I look forward to reading more by Gae Polisner

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the arc.

Just a forewarning: this is not a happy go lucky teen novel. Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me deals with heavy themes, but tackles them beautifully. It will make you hurt, but in an oh-so-good sort of way.

This novel follows 15-year-old JL (Jean Louise), who is hurting an awful lot. Due to her dad’s work and her mom’s mental illness, JL seldom receives the attention she desires. Not only that, but her best friend has become distant as well. In turn, JL turns to her 19-year-old boyfriend more and more- who despite the age gap that I will never be comfortable with EVER, is actually an okay guy. The issue is that he is going to leave- with or without JL, who has already been ‘left’ by so many people in her life.

JKIDTM feels so very real, and reminds me in a bittersweet way some of the struggles of being a 15-year-old girl. Trying to make big decisions when in reality you are still practically a child.

Not a full 5 stars however because I feel as though some topics could have been explored a lot better. I would have loved to know more about JL’s mother and her mental illness, maybe even a little perspective. I also thought the book would be more about the crumbling of JL’s and Audrey’s relationship, but it seems we already arrive in the thick of it. Would have liked to have more insight on that as well.

4/5 Stars, will make for an excellent addition to my library.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me.

This was an enjoyable read. I just didn't connect with the characters like I wanted. I would definitely read more by this author.

Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me is a page-turner, emotional novel about a young teen's struggle with her own self-worth. She gets wrapped up in a love affair with an older boy and believes she is meant to run away with him. She is running away from her own home life, a mother who is bi-polar and an absent father. She is also struggling with a failed friendship. These are all issues that are real to teens. The sexual scenes make this book appropriate for young adult.

Decent young adult fiction. Would maybe check out other books by this author. Thanks for the review copy.

Some may believe this is "make-believe", but Gae Polisner's new story, out next April, shows one girl's life in all its reality; all its hopes, some horribly dashed; yet, she keeps on, making choices that are "right" for her. Will you agree with every part? Perhaps not, but in the turmoil of this young teen whose father is away for work longer and longer, whose mother is drifting away in a heart-breaking mental disorder, and whose bestie Aubrey has drifted on to other girlfriends, readers will cling with her as they wish her better days.
JL writes her story in a long journal/letter to Aubrey about everything that has happened since the two stopped being friends. It moves back and forth in time, layer upon layer. JL Markham is fifteen, now finding some pleasant hours with the tropical butterflies she has recently been raising, and in Max, a new love, but an older senior who'll be leaving town soon. The age gap is of some concern, but Max seems JL's only anchor at this time. The plight of a young girl with few people to turn to fills us readers with worry, something we all might consider if we have the time to take with a young person. Polisner has offered much to ponder in this book!
Questioning, questioning is part of what Gae Polisner shows JL doing: Should she leave with Max? Can she leave her mother without anyone to care for her? How can she find her special friendship with Aubrey again? How far can she go sexually to show she loves Max? The inner turmoil shown with JL telling her story is poignant, feels very real to me, although I suspect teens hide problems too well from the adults in their lives, perhaps the biggest tragedy? And perhaps adults should be reading this story, too?

the title of this book got to me and i knew i had to read it. a very enjoyable and easy read! definitely check it out!!

I am a repeat Gae Polisner reader and I was lucky enough to get approved for an ebook ARC of her newest novel "Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me". I enjoy Polisner's way of capturing youth and all the uncertaintity that comes with it. Jean Louise (JL) Markham is on the brink of 16 and struggling with all the change that has taken place in her life. There is a lot going on in JL's life and I don't think she is fully capable of dealing with it.

The book alternates between her current time of 10th grade and then her past with her friendship with Aubrey. Her and Aubrey were best friends, but then they grew apart. Them growing apart could not have happened at worst time for JL and she seeks solace with a bad boy Max. JL's father is in California for work and doesn't appear to be coming home anytime soon. Because of this, her mother is a wreck. Her mother has lost touch with reality and is in a downward spiral of depression. JL finds her peace with butterflies, the raising and the caring of them even though they do not have a long lifespan, they have always been a love of hers.

So where to begin?
JL - Written like a true 15 year old! She handles her mother as best she can while wrestling with her feelings of resentment and embarrassment. Her ache at her lost friendship with Aubrey is apparent through out her writings, although it is never clear excactly what had happened between the two. That's the way it is with most friendships in your teens. Usually there is not any one big event, but simply that people just grow apart, but this book shows the regret from both JL and Aubrey for the loss of a friendship.
JL and Max - I wasn't sure what to think of Max. He's 19 and even though she is almost 16, when you think of a 15 year old girl, with a 19 year old boy...its not a good thing. Funny how significant a four year age difference is at that AGE vs a four year age difference at say 25 year olds and 29 year olds. Or 35-39. Those four years don't matter the older you get, but in your teens...those four years are everything. I have to give kudos to Polisner for not making Max out to be a complete A-hole (he still was but he was human). While he tried to get JL to have sex with him on a number of occasions, and the end of the day, he did ultimately respect her decision to wait and not force himself upon her. Plus, he actually did seem to feel awful about what he eventually did. While it would have been easier to hate the character, Polisner gave him qualities that you can't help but like. There was a point where I was literally screaming at JL in my head, but its also easy for me to think "how stupid" she is because I'm older, but when I stopped to think about it, JL was so much smarter than I was at 15. Yes, she was still dumb with a few things, but weren't we all at 15?
Once again, Gae Polisner has proved why she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Thank you so much to NetGalley #NetGalley for the ARC.

Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me is a decent novel, but I found certain elements lacking. I would rate this 3.5 stars, if the ability for half ratings existed.

For the most part, I enjoyed the writing style. JL’s voice is interesting, especially the descriptions of butterflies. It’s a unique hobby to give a protagonist. I liked the letter format, although I have issues with other parts of the novel’s structures. Certain emotions and situations the characters experienced reminded me of the non-cult parts of Emma Cline’s The Girls, an adult literary novel I really liked. Aubrey is an interesting, nuanced character, though I wished she appeared more in the present day. I like that this novel points out the harm of slut shaming.

Unfortunately, most of the side characters are flat. The most heinous character in the novel is the most developed. JL had other friends at some point, but these characters aren’t developed nor is it elaborated on why JL no longer speaks to them. I liked the ending, but parts of the final chapters are vague. JL and Aubrey’s friendships feel somewhat thin because Aubrey doesn’t interact with her much the present year of the novel. While the novel portrays an abusive romance, it doesn’t discuss or point out most of the toxic elements.

This young adult book follows JL Markham through her sophomore year of high school as she struggles to cope with her mother's mental illness and her father's absence. These issues are compounded by JL's feelings for her best friend's brother and her sense that her best friend is slipping away. JL adores her bad-boy boyfriend Max, though he keeps pressuring her for a more physical relationship. But JL does manage to find some escape and solace in tropical butterflies--fragile but surprisingly resilient--that she raises in her bedroom.

The author Jack Kerouac is a recurring figure in the book. JL's grandmother met the writer decades before and the two had stolen a kiss on Nana's 18th birthday. JL's mother has also developed a fixation with the author, sending the dead man letter after letter during her dissociative episodes. But readers won't get much exposure to Kerouac's words or the essence of his works, since few quotes are used and there's no discussion of the values or ideas of the Beat movement. What's here is pretty superficial: he lived on Long Island for a time, "On the Road" was originally written as a scroll, etc. One might get the sense that the author chose Kerouac to play a central role here simply because his name sounds cool, and any other celebrity could be plugged in his place.

Readers will find loving, responsible adults in short supply in this book; the adults here are generally checked-out or incapacitated--even JL's loving grandmother seems in denial about her own daughter's mental illness and its effects on her grandchild. As an adult reader, I wanted the adult characters in the book to step up in ways they never did, but younger readers may find this sadly authentic.

I also felt that the ending rang false, with JL perhaps too quick to forgive another character's despicable act, and JL's own serious transgression against a character never resolved. It's a bleak book that imposes a happy ending on its characters that contrasts with much of what came before.

That said, the writing was compelling, and the book argues appropriately against "slut shaming" and in favor of teen girls having agency over their sexuality (sexual content is present in the book, and though it is handled sensitively, it might be a bit much for younger readers or conservative parents).

I requested this galley without knowing much about the book, but because of the title as Jack Kerouac is, in fact, dead to me, and has been since going through a lit-intensive college program (but I digress). I don't rush to read coming-of-age novels, but was surprised to find I enjoyed this one because it was quite a bit dark and not at all contrived. If you are not the type who flocks to coming-of-age YA, you should give this one a try: it might just surprise you and renew your faith in the genre.

I thought this was a great coming of age book. It had a lot of teen angst - but was still thoroughly enjoyable. I think the book touches on so many feelings that teenagers have - being left out, confused, and such - and I think it was very well done.

Got an advance copy from Netgalley. Aside from too much teenage angst over boys for the first half, this is a really good read. Dark coming of age tale that feels very real instead of imagined.

JL is 15 and her life seems to be falling apart. Her dad is working thousands of miles away in California, her mum is struggling to cope with her mental health and writing letters to Jack Kerouac, and her best friend Aubrey is barely speaking to each other. Her boyfriend Max is 19 has a bad reputation and calls her "Jailbait".
This is a real coming of age novel. JL makes some questionable decisions along the way and I found myself willing the adults in her life to notice what was going in and take responsibility for her. Max is both appealing and repellent.
JL's voice is distinctive and clear throughout the novel which is structured around a letter she is writing to Aubrey.
The butterfly motif throughout the book is beautiful.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review

Every English literature major thinks they know a thing or two about the great authors of the canon, and I think I have a grasp on Jack Kerouac. So, in reading Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me, I'm looking for all the things I know about the author. Often I'm reading too much into things. JL's parents are hippies . . . Kerouac didn't care for the hippies who came in the aftermath of the beat generation, so I'm just over here with the arms up in the air emoji thinking, "Huh?" The book has a lot going for it in terms of butterfly metaphors and the cruelty of high school stereotypes, but the Kerouac ideals seem forced because of the current trend in YA to bring up authors who are representative of those who chagrin the typical in favor of the perverse. I want more clean connections for readers.

‘Is it wrong to do stuff with a person you love?’

JL (Jean Louise) Markham is 15 years old, and she’s having a tough year. Her father is on a business trip, which keeps getting extended, and her mother has retreated into her own world. JL’s best friend Aubrey doesn’t seem to have much time for JL anymore: she has made new friends. If it wasn’t for the tropical butterflies that JL raises (thanks to her grandmother) life would be bleak. Except for Max.

Max Gordon is JL’s 19-year-old boyfriend. He’s about to graduate and then he intends to hit the road: leaving Long Island for California. JL would like to go with him. Whatever life with Max holds in store, it is surely better than being left behind. Her mother is unwell, and JL’s best friend has deserted her in favour of other friends. Aubrey does not like Max. What can keep JL home?

While much of this story is contained with a couple of months of JL’s sophomore year, what has happened earlier is also important. The story unfolds through a letter JL writes to Aubrey, a letter in which she tries to explain what happened.

‘What is it that makes us suddenly remember, Aubrey? What makes us take notice of what is actually around us, rather than what we want to see?

I’m not going to write more about the actual story: each reader will take it at his or her own pace; each reader will have their own reaction. I remember being 15 years old (almost half a century ago). I remember having to try to work out which choices to make, and possible consequences. I remember being overwhelmed. Reading this novel takes me right back into that space, thankful I survived. And JL? Which choices will she make?

This is Ms Polisner’s fifth YA novel, and the fourth I have read. (Yes, ‘The Summer of Letting Go’ is still on my reading list. I have bought a copy; I just need to schedule time to read it.) Ms Polisner continues to create believable characters and places them in challenging (but realistic) situations. Highly recommended both for young (and not so young) adults.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I really enjoyed this book. The main character JL allows the reader to really feel what she is feeling at the time. Her relationships with the other characters are told rather well and really show how JL grows throughout the story. A great tale of a 15 year old dealing with growing up and expectations.

JL and Aubrey used to be best friends. That is, they were until JL's dad left and she started dating Max Gordon. JL's mother has gone off the deep end after her father left to California for work and Aubrey doesn't approve of JL dating someone so much older and with a bit of a bad reputation. But JL is just trying to cling to things that make her happy, even if it seems a bit self destructive.

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I really enjoyed the writing in this book. The prose was beautiful and drew me into the story in a way a book hasn't in quite some time. JL's struggles felt real. Even though I grew kind of annoyed with her actions at times, I never felt disconnected from the story. I also enjoyed JL's love of butterflies and how these creatures were woven into the story.

One thing I will note is the amount of explicit sexual content (no actual sex, but some sexual acts) throughout the book. As someone who reads YA for potential classroom library books, this isn't a good fit for me. As someone who reads YA for myself, I loved the book.

Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me is about a 15-year-old girl named JL, whose father works across the county, and her mother suffers from mental illness. JL is dating Max, a 19-year-old “bad boy.” The story follows JL as a sophomore in high school, who is dealing with the growing apart of her and her best friend Aubrey, her older boyfriend who’s looking to leave for California after school, and her parents and their relationship.
JL and the other characters in this book are very realistic, and I think that’s what really drew me to this book. They have real problems that are relatable for those in high school. JL is just looking for something to make her happy and to help her deal with all of the problems she has in life, and she finds that in her butterflies that she nurtures. This story is one of hope revolving around a flawed young woman.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this arc. I will be reviewing this book in the near future with an honest rating and review.