Plastic Polly: Book Review and Launch

Book Launch
Last month Jenny Lundquist's latest middle grade novel, Plastic Polly, was released and I attended her boisterous and fun Barnes and Noble launch party. A corner of the store buzzed with activity as Jenny's fervent fans and groupies, chatted and snapped pictures—all wearing "I < 3 #plasticpolly" dark-blue t-shirts.

What would we do without our groupies? Our family and friends who believe in us and support us throughout our crazy writing journey.

Here's to friends and family!

Book Review
Plastic Polly is the #2 popular girl in middle school at Winston Academy. Most popular is Polly's best friend, Kelsey, who doesn't take to those who would differ with her. Polly is quite comfortable being a follower until she is forced to look at the reality of things. Mending a broken relationship, living up to her mom's expectations and suddenly finding herself as the PlanMaster for the most important event in Maple Oaks presents some challenging character building opportunities.

Jenny Lundquist holds strong to her inner-middle-school persona in this book, her second, for that awkward age-group. With lines like, "My voice is so sugary, I'm probably giving myself cavities," how could you not feel the attitude with angst that surrounds a young girl trying to find her own path.

This book is a must for all girls (or boys who need a clue) who are in or looking towards middle school.

Seeing Cinderella Book Review and Launch

Book Launch
February was a big month for Jenny Lundquist whose debut Middle Grade novel, Seeing Cinderella was released. I attended her book launch this past weekend at Barnes & Noble and happily waited in line with quite a few other fans anxious to get a book signed. Jenny is a fellow member of Inspire Christian Writers and there were some of us at the event to cheer her on.

While chatting with Keli Gwyn (whose debut romance novel comes out July 1st), a curious patron asked what the crowd of people was all about. "I'm here to get a gift for an eleven-year-old," she said. "Seeing Cinderella sounds like the perfect present." We steered her to the book signing line.

Being in the same critique group as Jenny, I had the privilege of reading most of Seeing Cinderella. Once I returned home, I settled into my comfy leather chair and read. I couldn't wait to find out how the story turned out.

Book Review
Seeing Cinderella is an entertaining book every middle school student would enjoy reading. It tackles the serious issues that mark the middle school years—namely self-doubt, low self esteem and flawed thinking about what others think. Through a delightful kind of magic in the form of special glasses, Callie (real name Calliope Meadow Anderson) learns to see that things aren't always as they appear and you can't believe everything you hear.

Callie's nickname by some is Polka Dot aptly describing her freckled face, offset by her frizzy hair. So when she adds a hideous pair of thick, dark-rimmed glasses to her look, she continues to assume kids are making fun of her.

Ellen, Callie's best friend going into middle school, signs her up to take drama instead of art—the first of many manipulating scenarios by Ellen. Callie learns as she maneuvers through the fall semester that her magic (aka super freaky) glasses unlock a whole new way of thinking and communicating.

The story culminates with the drama class's production of Cinderella. The frenzied scene has twists and turns that bring meaningful and satisfying changes to each character. At one point in the story, Callie's eye doctor (Dr. Ingram who supplied the super freaky glasses) remarks, "I suppose there are those who see, and those who do not want to see." A fitting lesson for a middle school student to add to their toolbox for life.