Talent

Reader reviewed by Jessica

Reader reviewed by Mickey

When thirteen-year-old Mac Armstrong witnesses newcomer Emily Munglers stellar lying-to-gain-entry performance during a movie premiere party at the Roosevelt in Hollywood, it dawns on her that her own talent is to discover it in others! So Mac and her BFFs set out to prove it by turning fresh-from- Cedartown-Iowa Emily into a box office bombshell. Theyll make deals, throw parties, crush on boys, all on the way to discovering that no matter how famous or important you are, friendship always comes first.

Reader reviewed by Gabina

I read this book along with my niece for a literature project she is doing in the seventh grade. The characters in this book are true to life. Unfortunately, there are too many kids whose values are like those of Becks, Mac and her other friends. Even though she loses her friends for a short time and Ruby does embarrass her at Kimmie's party, I really don't think that she learns the true meaning of friendship and hard work. Getting everything that you want and being able shop and buy anything wherever you want, does sound like alot of rich and spoiled kids today. My niece loved the book but I think she finally realized at the end that everything in life should not revolve around material things. People need to be judged by the kind of person that they are, which is what Emily finally figures out at the end. Her friendship with was important to her. She was truly upset for what she had done to her. Education to me is how a person gets rich. Knowledge is power. But, for kids this might teach them how not to be.

Reader reviewed by Khy

ts all about talent in LA: who has it, who doesnt, who wants it, and who can find it first! When thirteen-year-old Mac Armstrong witnesses newcomer Emily Munglers stellar lying-to-gain-entry performance during a movie premiere party at the Roosevelt in Hollywood, it dawns on her that her own talent is to discover it in others! So Mac and her BFFs set out to prove it by turning fresh-from- Cedartown-Iowa Emily into a box office bombshell. Theyll make deals, throw parties, crush on boys, all on the way to discovering that no matter how famous or important you are, friendship always comes first. Well, almost always.
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I suppose I should say that I have never read Gossip Girl, The A List, The Clique, or any books like them. I never plan to read them and I never planned to read this book, but I won it and I read it. Now I kind of wish I didn't.

The characters were some of the most unbelievable (not in a good way) characters I've encountered in a while. I've many reasons for this:

1. Emily, one of the main 12 year olds, manages to get into a ginormous Hollywood party by pretending to be a relative of a celebrity and getting past a bouncer. Is it just me, or is that a little cliche? I feel as if I've seen/heard that a million times.
2. They are so dramatic and fashion obsessed. It's disgusting.
3. They're twelve years old and are treated like adults by everyone but their parents. They drive around with a driver. People overly help them at stores and restaurants. Casting peopel allow the girls to come into huge auditions without an adult agent. Mac, the group's leader, acts as Emily's agent. What is with that? Would anyone take a twelve year old agent seriously? I don't think so.

Those are my main reasons, #2 and 3 being the biggest. They don't act like twelve year olds at all. They act like 25 year old divas. I'm kind of disgusted that people that are awfully close to my age are being portrayed like this. Ugh.

And the girls on the cover. Do those girls look 12 to anyone? Because I'm pretty sure those are the 12 year old main characters. They don't look like 12 year olds.

Talent does not come recommended from me.