Book Review and Giveaway: "All That Glitters" by Nicole O'Dell
Drew Daniels finally has what she thought she wanted—popularity and a cute boyfriend. But now she’s faced with choosing between pleasing her boyfriend and doing what’s right. Tween readers make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Drew’s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.
I will say that I liked this book A LOT. To be honest, I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series. Previously I had issues with characters acting younger than their age or too many actual sermons in the book. This book had neither. Both Drew and Dani act like actual freshmen in high school. It's interesting to see how they began to grow apart and start trying to form their own distinct personalities. Stories about twins growing up sometimes have one twin resenting the other for leaving them behind. This one begins that way but Dani soon finds her own niche. Once again, the characters have close and good relationships with their parents. They can confide in them and are able to turn to them in times of need. In return, the parents are understanding and allow their daughters to choose their own paths. I really appreciated how the girls' mother was compromising in terms of their clothing choices. While she had set guidelines about what they could wear, she also was willing to let Drew make her own decisions. I liked the scene where she comprised with Drew involving the layering of clothing. I'm glad she was willing to let her do her own thing and still respect the guidelines she had set down. They also were cool with letting their daughters hang out with guys because both girls respected the rules set for them. I thought that the situation Drew found herself in was very relatable to what goes on in high school these days. Granted, the party involved everything that could possibly happen, but it still was portrayed in a realistic light.
The only qualm I had was a line where Dani is horrified to hear that Drew held hands with a boy. This made me shake my head a bit because it sound like holding hands makes Drew sound like a loose woman. If they had been kissing, then I could understand the shock. I know that it could imply that holding hands could eventually, down the road lead to more intimate things. However if you're in high school, it really would not be that big of an issue.
That being said, I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun read, the characters are real, and the story is something that a lot of teens either have faced or will face in the future. I've been told by the author that the next few books will also have themes that will appeal to older teens so I'm looking forward to those. I wish that I had the opportunity to go back in life and be able to step back and look at both outcomes before I made a decision. Teens will enjoy this one.
All That Glitters by Nicole O'Dell is published by Barbour (2009)
I'm giving away a brand new set of BOTH of the first two books in the Scenarios for Girls series! To enter you must leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Friday, August 21. International entrants welcome. Good luck!
I will say that I liked this book A LOT. To be honest, I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series. Previously I had issues with characters acting younger than their age or too many actual sermons in the book. This book had neither. Both Drew and Dani act like actual freshmen in high school. It's interesting to see how they began to grow apart and start trying to form their own distinct personalities. Stories about twins growing up sometimes have one twin resenting the other for leaving them behind. This one begins that way but Dani soon finds her own niche. Once again, the characters have close and good relationships with their parents. They can confide in them and are able to turn to them in times of need. In return, the parents are understanding and allow their daughters to choose their own paths. I really appreciated how the girls' mother was compromising in terms of their clothing choices. While she had set guidelines about what they could wear, she also was willing to let Drew make her own decisions. I liked the scene where she comprised with Drew involving the layering of clothing. I'm glad she was willing to let her do her own thing and still respect the guidelines she had set down. They also were cool with letting their daughters hang out with guys because both girls respected the rules set for them. I thought that the situation Drew found herself in was very relatable to what goes on in high school these days. Granted, the party involved everything that could possibly happen, but it still was portrayed in a realistic light.
The only qualm I had was a line where Dani is horrified to hear that Drew held hands with a boy. This made me shake my head a bit because it sound like holding hands makes Drew sound like a loose woman. If they had been kissing, then I could understand the shock. I know that it could imply that holding hands could eventually, down the road lead to more intimate things. However if you're in high school, it really would not be that big of an issue.
That being said, I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun read, the characters are real, and the story is something that a lot of teens either have faced or will face in the future. I've been told by the author that the next few books will also have themes that will appeal to older teens so I'm looking forward to those. I wish that I had the opportunity to go back in life and be able to step back and look at both outcomes before I made a decision. Teens will enjoy this one.
All That Glitters by Nicole O'Dell is published by Barbour (2009)
I'm giving away a brand new set of BOTH of the first two books in the Scenarios for Girls series! To enter you must leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Friday, August 21. International entrants welcome. Good luck!
PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU!!!!
ENTRIES WITHOUT CONTACT INFO WILL NOT BE ENTERED.
My niece would love these books. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteLenda - FR
I really enjoyed the review! Nice honesty about your feelings of the characters between the first and second one! I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love a chance at winni this...Thankyou!
ReplyDeleteMy E-Mail is DeathOfFoolS@aol.com..
I am Venomn at FR.
Chris
I love YA books, and have these on my wish list. Wish there were more new CYOA out these days - I really enjoyed them when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your thoughts, Deborah. Thanks for the chance to win.
eviesmommo at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a good series, I am in!
ReplyDeleteLinLin8
I would love to win this series for my daughter!!! Just got her the Revolve New Testament Biblezine...want her to get better grounded in her faith than I was....Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI am a member of PBS, and my email is:
lrchrisner123@lycos.com
Lisa Chrisner
Great review! Sounds like something my daughter and I would both enjoy :0
ReplyDeletewendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com
This is such a great idea! I would love to win these books and pass them on my nieces who are 12 and 13. I know they would enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info and great interview.
Carrie
carrie (at) turansky (dot) com
Sounds like my 12yr old would enjoy this series. Count me in! Thanks for taking the time to share your comments.
ReplyDeletebabyzethmom@yahoo.com.
I would love to get this for my blog review and for my 12-year old twins! Yes... it would be great!
ReplyDeleteI'm a subscriber!
Sheri
A Novel Menagerie
anovelmenagerie@aol.com
I have a cousin who's just getting ready to start middle school! These would be a perfect gift for her first day! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethalya2780 at hotmail dot com
PBS ID: pjs2780
These sound like good books for young teens. Sign me up please!
ReplyDeletemelacan at hotmail dot com
My girlfriend and I were just talking about why there are not more books like these...I would love to win them...for me and for her.
ReplyDeleteDMBuffy from FR.
I know a couple of nieces that would love these books. Please enter me.
ReplyDeletedesertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Looks like a nice YA read. :) Toss my name in the interntional hat. :)
ReplyDeleteivan[dot]girl25[at]gmail[dot]com
Please enter me--thanks!
ReplyDeletekarin56381 (at) gmail.com
I was just wondering why there weren't more "nice" YA books out there. I hope I'll be able to check these out!
ReplyDeletepicodepui at yahoo dot com
These sound like really good books!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me :)
joyfuljewelz (at) gmail.com
I would love to give these books to my granddaughter! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCarol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Sounds like a great new series!
ReplyDeleteI would love this book for my daughter. Thanks! dianemcpher@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
ReplyDeletewandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteGreat review and generous offer. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to sharing the teachable moments I bet these books contain with my daughter.
(Deborah) Renee (LOL)
Paperback Swap ID: gagatorgal
Email: randrews@amfedgrp.com
My Name: Gracie
ReplyDeleteMy Email: godsgirlonamission@gmail.com
Hey Sorry its me again (Gracie) I Just want to say thank you! I think its a beautiful thing you are doing!
ReplyDeleteGod bless
My Name: Liana
ReplyDeleteMy Email: delarny@gmail.com
Thanks!
Sounds like good books for my daughter to read.
ReplyDeletedlodden at frontiernet dot net