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The Heart Is Not a Size by Beth Kephart

Georgia knows what it means to keep secrets. She knows how to ignore things. She knows that some things are better left unsaid. . . . Or are they?

When Georgia and her best friend, Riley, travel along with nine other suburban Pennsylvania kids to Anapra, a squatters’ village in the heat-flattened border city of Juarez, Mexico, secrets seem to percolate and threaten both a friendship and a life. Certainties unravel. Reality changes. And Georgia is left to figure out who she is outside the world she’s always known. [Summary from HarperTeen]

You may have noticed that I’ve been blogging more lately–hurray! I’ve had time to catch up on my reading. Honestly, my to be read bookcase is filled–4 shelves and counting, over 30 books. I finally was able to pick up and read this book by one of my favorite authors, Beth Kephart. With every novel that she writes, I am amazed by the beauty of her words. Her books are filled with gorgeous descriptions of everything–setting, emotions, etc. The Heart Is Not a Size is no exception! In this short novel so much happens, but the story never feels fast or forced. Georgia is a character that many can relate to: uncomfortable in her own skin, yearning for some sort of change that will bring more meaning into her life. And she cares deeply about her best friend, Riley, who is hiding a dangerous secret. The whole novel the reader wonders: why doesn’t Georgia do something about Riley? If she cares so much, why is she silent? I ask that, if you read this book, think about yourself and what you would do as a teenage girl. What can you do? How can you speak yet save your friendship? Are there things worth losing a friendship over, if only to protect someone?

The Heart Is Not a Size asks all of these questions and many more. I encourage fans of Kephart’s other works to read this, as well as fans of Laura Resau and Laurie Halse Anderson. I hope that everyone who reads this will be encouraged to speak up, even when that’s the hardest thing to do.

It’s interesting to me that I just finished this book last night, as today in church our minister told the story of Joseph, and how because one of his brothers spoke up, he was saved from being murdered (granted, he was still sold into slavery, but at least, alive). He encouraged us all to learn to recognize the times in our lives when we should speak up, when doing so may make all the difference. All it takes is one person to speak up to create change.

Purchased from Amazon.com!

For More: Check out Beth Kephart’s blog, including an excerpt from the book! And, if interested in the story of Joseph, check out my church, Momentum Christian Church, and subscribe to the podcast to hear his story!