LitPick Review
Over the summer Ally's best friend, Betsy, meets Mona and together they practically ignore Ally. Betsy and Mona do everything together as they even started a band with some of Mona's friends. Ally is being bullied constantly and this weirdo, Tina, is trying to be her friend. A big fifth grade talent show is announced and Tina is thinking of all of the things she and Ally could do in the show. Ally is slowly warming up to Tina and suggests they disco dance together. Ally knows Betsy's band is playing and she really wants to go-go dance for them, but Betsy was too cool for her now. At a rehearsal, Tina and Ally's dance performance bombs resulting in a fight between Tina and Ally. Since they're not talking Betsy asks Ally to dance for them, and she agrees. They all start to hang out, but Ally still doesn't seem to fit in, although she is now a part of the coolest kids in the school. Ally thinks she is happy until she realizes she misses Tina.
Opinion:
I enjoyed the book; it was a fast easy one to read. The book inspired me to draw a picture of what I thought the band would look like. Sometimes bad things happen before you realize the good that was there, and that the things you think you want most, are really not what you want after all. Ally's predicament quickly changes. Your emotions change with hers, sometimes agreeing with her choices, sometimes wanting to strangle her for them. The character's actions, at times, are a bit exaggerated. Keep an open mind about your friends, don't leave anyone out and always try to be friendly. I think that most pre-teens would enjoy reading this book.
