Julie Linker

The plot-rich spoiled girl hauled off to live with poor relatives in the middle of nowhere, isn't new, but this is a fresh and smart depiction of what happens in such a situation. West's mom died when she was very young and now that her father is in jail, facing embezzlement charges, she's about to be shipped off to the custody of an aunt she never knew in the great village of Possum Grape, Arkansas. Talk about culture shock. She has gone from parties to picking eggs and from glam nights to Sunday church services. Follow her as she slowly comes to the realization that her new reality isn't that bad, especially when it comes with a hot new boyfriend and a chance to act on her secret dream of fashion design.… (altro)

Crowned is charming and frothily fun fiction for teenage and young adult girls. While the focus is on a beauty pageant contender, Presley is a well-rounded character with understandable and admirable goals. Presley knows she's not smart enough to get scholarships to college and that her single mom will never have enough money to send her, but she's good at pageants and they're her ticket to breaking the cycle of poverty. The action is full of drama, but there's some nice information on being aware of the dangers that the expanding online world holds in terms of publicity. Presley's archrival Megan is a perfect foil as a cruel and manipulative competitor who steals Presley's boyfriend in the opening pages of the book. That's just the beginning though - there's a compromising picture of Presley posted online, the hair dye in her shampoo, and Megan's self-shredded swimsuit to be blamed on Presley. Presley's final comeuppance of Megan through gaining the boyfriend Megan has always wanted and releasing an embarrasing video is extremely satisfying and could even lead to Presley (as runner-up) replacing Megan as Miss Teen State - leaving things open for a possible sequel. If you're looking for a light read to entertain you Crowned is a definite winner.… (altro)

This book is realistic fiction. Presley Ashbury perfect pagent life is going great untill her arch enemy ( also a pagent contestant) Megan Leighton comes and start messing with her life. Megan steals her boyfriend, posts pictures of Presley, and even tries to frame her for recking a $600 bathing suit but Presley and Megan are fighting for one thing... To Be "Crowned" This book is 11 A.R points I would reccomend this to older kids like 8th or 9th grade because they can relate more to it 1. because Presley and Megan are both in their junior year in high school and 2. because Megan and Presley are both dealing with high school problems. This book was a good book but it is not my favorite. I rate it 3 stars
Briani :)… (altro)