To see full review and Hollywood Analysis click here: http://yalbookbriefs.blogspot.com/201...I often forget about Teen Idol and it's not because it's a bad book, in comparison's to Meg's other titles this one is sort of....well, just there.The book itself has fairly decent characters and it the storyline is solid enough. But it's nothing special. And perhaps that's what my problem with it is.The plot is pretty generic, good girl Jen's life is changed when movie star Luke Striker shows up in her small town and shakes up things. Honestly, while I am glad that Cabot didn't go the cliche route of having Jen and Luke end up together, I really wondered what Luke's purpose was other than to be a catalyst. Couldn't Jen come up with the conclusion that things in her life weren't perfect? From what was happening in her life before Luke's intervention, I believe she could. But I guess the book wouldn't have sold if he hadn't made an appearance.Also, another big issue I had with Luke was who he ended up with. Geri was a quasi horrible bitchy character. And while it was true she was nowhere near the likes of Lana Weinberger, I still didn't like that all the boys-including Scott-seemed to like her. Especially Luke who seemed to be about seeing someone's natural beauty. Geri just seemed to be this brash kind of bitchy character. She wasn't terrible, but I just don't see her Luke let alone Scott.As for Scott, the love interest in the novel, I didn't like him as much as some of Cabot's other heros. He wasn't awful. He was nice. He cooked. And I liked that, I just felt like I didn't get to know him that well. And while I understand why Jen liked him, I wished their relationship would've been more developed.Things I really did like about this book: the fact that it was a stand alone. While I do like series, it was nice to read something where I didn't have to wait for a sequel. And I really liked how everything was wrapped up in this book. Plus, did I mention it had a nice message that wasn't overly preachy. Yes, that was nice. Plus, did I mention that there's show choir in this book. Yes, all you Gleeks there are some pretty funny show choir scenes in this book which makes me think they really need to bring on Meg Cabot as a consultant for Glee. Best Feature: Not Your Typical Hollywood Story: This book isn't what I expect, meaning I thought Luke and Jen were going to fall in love with each other. No, that didn't happen. And I liked that in a weird way, but at the same time I really had to wonder what was Luke's purpose other than being Jen's Jiminy Cricket. Still though, despite Luke's lack of a role to the story, I liked that it wasn't cliche.Worst Feature: Meh. As far as Meg Cabot novels go, this is a good book. But it's not that memorable. While I think there was a good message in the novel. I just....I wanted something more. I honestly, felt while the foundation was there, there was just something off about the book that it never reached its potential. Perhaps, it was how Luke was handled as a character and for that matter who he ended up with.Appropriateness: This is a pretty clean novel. There is some bullying that goes on in the book, but other than that I can't think of anything remotely inappropriate. In fact, I would recommend this book for teens because of the bullying issues that go on in the book. I love the message this book tries to send without being overly preachy.
Another typical Meg Cabot book. I just don’t like it because it’s so unrealistic and childish. Like a young girl wishing to be with a movie star, the whole princess, fairy tale type thing that I just don’t go for. Meg Cabot is all about these plots that would never happen in real life. How many movie stars would come to somebody’s high school like this?And the style is writing is the most annoying I’ve ever read. I don’t know if it’s supposed to be funny or what, but having the character say, “I mean” after everything she says like we can’t follow a simple sentence is annoying. It’s also insulting to my intelligence. I don’t know if Mag Cabot’s mind works this way or not, like she has to remind herself what she’s talking about constantly, but I can follow along quite easily, and I don’t need to be reminded of It would go something like this:I didn’t want to go to the dance at all. It’s not like they even had good food. So I decided not to go, to the dance I mean.WTH?!?!?!?!?!?!?Why would you have to specify what you were talking about WHEN YOU HAD JUST SAID IT! Does she think we’ve forgotten the topic of conversation in a second’s time?I won’t be reading any more of her books, except maybe the series with Hades if my library gets it in, but otherwise I’m staying away from the rest of her books, with unlikeable characters, bad writing style, barely any of a plot, and unrealistic occurrences with movie stars, actresses, models and every type of fanciful thing that makes for a slightly childish book.
What do You think about Teen Idol (2005)?
UPDATE: Finished this on my way to work this morning. Overall, not a huge fan. I do think it partially had to do with the fact that the girl's voice really annoyed me, but overall, I just didn't enjoy the story all that much. It wasn't horrible, but it just wasn't my cup of tea at all. I'm wondering if her other books are better...I am actually listening to this book in the car right now, because I went out of town this weekend and the CD I made didn't work. So I went to the library to get a book, and they didn't have much of a selection, so I ended up with this. To me, it's just ok. I know it's a YA novel, but it is pretty juvenile...we'll see if it gets better. I'll post an update when I finish! This is the first book that I've listened to, so I do wonder if part of the reason I don't like it that much is because of the person who's reading it??
—Kim
This has reminded me of why I love reading Meg cabot's books. Her strong heroines are the absolutely BEST.I really like Jen. She's... mayonnaise. Yes. She smoothes over everything, and cares about everyone.She helped Cara, doesn't hold grudges, and has a spunky personality. Olus the fact she doesn't go moony-eyed over the movie-star. I really really really liked this book. It had no posessive girls, or fighting with the 'In' Clique- mainly because everyone likes Jen. This book switches between Jen's fisrt person POV and the Ask annie column. I have to say, her column amused me the most. Her advice was so different from normal help columns, more real in a sense.Another absolute best part of Meg Cabot's books are the best-friends. Her best friends are the ultimate true friends. They make you want to be their best friend. Their personality jusst draws you in. And oh, CONFLICT. There is always conflict in this book, and I say, it went nicely.Please go back to writing these sort of books! They are more interesting than your current other ones.
—Reyna
Reviewed by Spreeha for TeensReadToo.comJenny Greenly has been everybody's best friend or, like her REAL best friend called her, mayonnaise. She even helps out people with them not knowing it's her. You see, Jen is the secret advisor, Annie, who people go to to solve their personal relationships. She does the layout and the other secret thing (being Annie) for the Clayton High School Register in Clayton, Indiana. Of course, only the editor-in-chief of the newspaper and a few other administrators of the school know about the Ask Annie thing. But something very big is about to happen in the small town of Clayton. Nineteen-year-old screen sensation Luke Striker is coming to this town to research a role for a big project coming up. So the school suggested Jenny be the one to show Luke around the school and keep this whole deal a secret. They decided for him to be a transfer student named Lucas Smith. Jen thought that Luke was going to be coming in like a week -- not the very next day! Anyway, Jen is not the type of person who gets star struck by a CELEBRITY! But I guess this was a very first for her. As she got to spend more time with Luke she seemed comfortable around him and didn't think he was one of those people who are just snotty, mean, and self-centered. But will Luke turn out to be someone Jen didn't think he was going to be? Will she blow his cover with a little mistake or will Luke manage to do that on his own? Find out! This book is so awesome! It's just so many things happening that you feel like you're totally in the moment! I personally think that Meg Cabot's books are really good and just right on with the every day life of teens.
—Jennifer Wardrip
