9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Luv Ya Bunches, Sep 30 2009
By Nelaine Sanchez "All About {n}" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Luv Ya Bunches: Book One (Hardcover)
In Luv Ya Bunches, Katie-Rose, Milla, Violet and Yasaman are all experiencing their first week in the 5th grade.
Katie-Rose is the techy one - she normally hides behind her camcorder. She and Camilla or "Milla" for short became friends over the summer at their summer camp. But now that school is about to start Katie-Rose is stressing because she's not sure if her friendship with Milla will continue.
Milla is the beautiful, popular one. She wears all the trendy clothes, and hangs out with the coolest girls in school (although Modessa and Quin - said coolest girls, are not very nice). She lives with her two mothers and is stressing because slowly she is realizing that the coolest girls in school might not exactly be who she wants to hang out with.
Violet is the new girl in school. She just moved with her father to town and is none too happy about having to leave her friends behind. Not to mention she is suffering over the loss of her mother. She is assessed by the other girls and is promptly offered to be part of the popular clique. She wears the right clothes and has the perfect attitude - but will she fit in?
Then there's Yasaman - although she's been in the same school with these other girls, she has always been seen as an outcast. Her classmates see her as different because she wears a hijab and comes from a Muslim family. But underneath all that she is quite the whiz at html code. She has created a social network (similar to MySpace, Facebook, etc.) but she has no friends to tell about it.
The story is told through all four points-of-view, including some fun instant message chats, and some very inventive screenplays and daydreams (courtesy of Katie-Rose). Each girl has her own personality and they all four compliment one another. It touches on topics that are very real to young girls - anywhere from bullying, to fashion sense, to just everyday issues - like overcoming differences and accepting who you are. I loved all the illustrations and the cutesy chat forums were uber adorable. I think all young girls can enjoy this story - it is definitely geared towards the 9-12 age group. It is also noted that this is book one - so we will definitely be reading more about the girls in the future.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet&&Unique, Jan 20 2010
By - n. "drinkingthattea" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Luv Ya Bunches: Book One (Hardcover)
This was a really fun, easy read. It's not annoying, so even if you're above the age of 10, you'll still love it.It centers around four girls, who are all named after flowers. They don't know it yet, but they will soon become close friends at the end of the book.It has the basics: the bad guys, the good guys, the person in the middle, and a happy ending.
I love that this book is multicultural, with people from various backrounds. It's a nice break from the same race books. And they included the middle eastern that I usually don't normally see in books.I love the common flowers name thing, it's cute and it works. I love that it's REAL and not those fake books i used to read when I was in 5th grade. Yes, people do care about fashion in the 5th grade.
I don't love that they have cell phones in the fifth grade. I guess now everyone has a cell phone, but really? What does a fifth grader need a cell phone for. I don't love all the labeling all that much,but it wasn't used in a rascist way or anyting, mostly so you knew who was who. Not to come off mean or whatvr, but my parents were mad when they heard people were writing books about 'two moms living together'or 'two dads'. Especially for kid's book, they didn't like it. So if you're a mom or dad and you don't like that type of stuff just know that this book has little, tiny references to Milla having two moms.
Lots of instant messaging, so it's like the younger ttyl.
Sorry for any mistakes or misspellings. :-) I'm only 13. lol
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
not age appropriate, Aug 29 2010
By booklover "booklover" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Luv Ya Bunches: A Flower Power Book (Paperback)
My 9 year old daughter wanted to buy this book because she is going to 5th grade and found the subject relevant. I don't understand why the words "slotty" and "pole dancer" have to show up in a children's book!! She asked me what these words means and I was extremely surprised!!! Why can't the author of a children's book keep the material appropriate for a child??? This book will definitely being returned.