Helpful Score: 1
In this tepid novel two teen girls, Kara and Jordan, go from best friends to opposite ends of the pecking order at their high school. We get to hear Kara's side of the story as she drones on and on about how she has no life, no friends, no personality, etc. The book consists of an inordinate about of filler consisting of such sentences as "I took my shower. Then I brushed my teeth. Then I ate a sandwich. I thought about how great my life used to be when I had Jordan. But now she's popular. Then I watched T.V. Then I...." Unfortunately, I am not exaggerating. The many times Kara mentioned that she might as well jump off a bridge or get hit by a bus, I wanted to tell her to go for it. Never, in all the hundreds of books I've read, have I met a character who I so desperately could not bring myself to care about even one iota.
The author, Melody Carlson, tried early on to connect with the teens presumably reading this book by using words like "crap" and "lesbian" and other such utterances that are sure to make your fine Christian parents gasp. I think this was her idea: Use borderline words and concepts such as these at first to draw the kids in and make them think they're reading something "cool" and "exciting" and "edgy."
Unlike some of the other reviewers who spoke badly about this book because of its Christian aspect, that is not where I find fault. The problems with this book are as follows: average writing, atrocious character development (see above), and a terrible plot execution.
Let me explain about the plot. It was a good idea. It is a plot that nearly 100 percent of teen girls have experienced first hand at some point in their lives. But Kara was such a bloody boring character that by the time she developed half a personality, I didn't care. I spent the first half of the book wanting to smack her upside the head, and the other half rolling my eyes at how absurd the climax and conclusion were.
Kara of course, in pure Christian fashion, discovers that Jesus Christ is her one true best friend and her life turns around. She starts eating better, exercising regularly, going to church, standing up for herself, being friendly, having a personality and having self-confidence. Oh, and of course all of a sudden her now popular former best friend wants to be friends again. Hurrah! And this all happens in the course of a week.
Now, I'm not saying God can't do all of that. Because I know from personal experience He can. My problem lies in the fact that the book seemed to imply that every single aspect in your life will improve IMMEDIATELY if you just say the magic words "Jesus I want you in my life." I'm sorry, maybe it works that way for some people. But for those poor teen girls reading this book and expecting some miraculous life altering experience to happen overnight for them just like it did for Kara, they are in for a rude awakening.
The author, Melody Carlson, tried early on to connect with the teens presumably reading this book by using words like "crap" and "lesbian" and other such utterances that are sure to make your fine Christian parents gasp. I think this was her idea: Use borderline words and concepts such as these at first to draw the kids in and make them think they're reading something "cool" and "exciting" and "edgy."
Unlike some of the other reviewers who spoke badly about this book because of its Christian aspect, that is not where I find fault. The problems with this book are as follows: average writing, atrocious character development (see above), and a terrible plot execution.
Let me explain about the plot. It was a good idea. It is a plot that nearly 100 percent of teen girls have experienced first hand at some point in their lives. But Kara was such a bloody boring character that by the time she developed half a personality, I didn't care. I spent the first half of the book wanting to smack her upside the head, and the other half rolling my eyes at how absurd the climax and conclusion were.
Kara of course, in pure Christian fashion, discovers that Jesus Christ is her one true best friend and her life turns around. She starts eating better, exercising regularly, going to church, standing up for herself, being friendly, having a personality and having self-confidence. Oh, and of course all of a sudden her now popular former best friend wants to be friends again. Hurrah! And this all happens in the course of a week.
Now, I'm not saying God can't do all of that. Because I know from personal experience He can. My problem lies in the fact that the book seemed to imply that every single aspect in your life will improve IMMEDIATELY if you just say the magic words "Jesus I want you in my life." I'm sorry, maybe it works that way for some people. But for those poor teen girls reading this book and expecting some miraculous life altering experience to happen overnight for them just like it did for Kara, they are in for a rude awakening.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
