Nothing But Drama, Blessings in Disguise and With Friends Like These

Sunday, April 11, 2010
#1 -  Nothing But Drama (Good Girlz) by ReShonda Tate Billingsley 
Nothing But Drama (Good Girlz)  
Genre: Realistic Fiction 
Target Audience: Girls 14-18 
Subject: Dating Relationships, Parent Relationships, Friendships, Teen Pregnancy
Summary: Camille, Alexis and Jasmine all agree on one thing: They do NOT want to be a part of this "Good Girlz" group! Angel does, but she's desperate. However, the adults in their life have no intention whatsoever of giving them a choice in the matter. For various reasons, each is forced into participating. And the lack of desire to be there is about the only thing they can agree on! When problems occur though, it will take all of them to make it through.
Notes: This book deals with some pretty big issues - Camille is dating a convicted criminal, Alexis' parents are on the verge of a divorce, Angel is pregnant, and Jasmine is ready to beat up anyone who even looks at her funny. Faith and friendship can go a long ways towards life change and this story shows a picture of that. It also deals heavily with the issues of parents. I would recommend also reading the nonfiction book:
Stupid Parents: Why They Just Don't Understand and How You Can Help along with this book as it sheds some interesting light on the parent issues dealt with in this book.
Recommendation Scale:3.5
Reviewer: J:-)mi


#2 - Blessings in Disguise (Good Girlz)  by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Pocket Books, 2007
Blessings in Disguise (Good Girlz) 
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 14-18
Subject: Shoplifting, friendships, dating relationships, relationships with parents
Summary: When money gets fight and the boyfriends promise the sky, a girl has no choice but to resort to drastic measures to look her best. Jasmine refuses to have any part in the shoplifting - originally anyway. But a boyfriend and no money make her think twice. Alexis of course has no need for the money, but she also has nothing to lose if her parents find out - they're too busy arguing with each other to care what she does. Angel and Camille aren't necessarily involved, but they know exactly what's going on and are keeping quiet. In the meantime, things at home are getting worse and worse for Jasmine. All responsibility is falling to her while her brothers play couch potato. When a chance to get to know her real dad appears, Jasmine leaps on it. But sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone.
Notes:Each book in this series deals with one of the ten commandments. In this, book 2, Jasmine and Alexis are both having alot of parent troubles in this book. When relationships go sour between their parents, they suffer the results. Both girls wind up making some pretty poor choices that land them in trouble. 
Recommendation Scale: 4
Reviewer: J:-)mi


#3 - With Friends Like These (Good Girlz) by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
With Friends Like These (Good Girlz) 
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 14-18
Subject: Friendships, fame, betrayal, drugs
Summary: It's every girl's dream come true: a chance to star on a tv show dealing with issues that teens face today! Fashion, gossip and advice - the girl who gets the job will get to talk about it all on public television every week! That's the problem though: "the girl" - meaning only one of them will get the job! What all will they do to be sure they are the one who wins? Sabotage? Betrayal? Deceit? Yep! All of those are valid options when the price of not doing them is failure. 
Notes: Each of the girls competing has their own reasons for wanting desperately to win: Jasmine & Camille need the money, and Alexis needs the chance to succeed at something on her own. Tameka wants the popularity it would afford her. This book also deals more with Alexis and the trouble with her parents - to the point where she is ready to give drugs a chance. It also deals with loyalty to family vs. friends when Alexis starts dating Jasmine's brother.
Recommendation Scale:4
Reviewer: J:-)mi

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