Annie Bryant is the author of the new book series aimed at tween girls - The Beacon Street Girls series. The latest book, Freaked Out, hit book stores in March 2006!
p>Title: Freaked OutAuthor: Annie Bryant
Ages: 9+
Rating:
It's time for a big dose of girl power with the latest Beacon Street Girls book, Freaked Out. Hopefully, you've been following the BSG series, which chronicles five, fabulous teens making their way through the seventh grade. If you haven't, you'll still be able to follow along with this new story. Get the goods on book seven of the BSG series!
Best Friends Forever!
The Beacon Street Girls consist of five best friends who all go to Abigail Adams Junior High. Maeve, Isabel, Charlotte, Avery and Katani all have different interests and personalities, but the one thing they have in common is their loyalty to one another! In Freaked Out, the girls are faced with a big dilemma when everyone except Avery is invited to the birthday party of popular girl, Julie Faber. Do the girls stick by their friend and miss the festivities or leave Avery to fend for herself on the big night?
Perilous Party
After much debate and prodding from Avery for the girls to attend the party without her, Maeve, Charlotte and Katani decide to go (while Isabel gets roped into babysitting for her sister). Julie's Hawaiian-themed shin-dig is a big hit and all the party-goers are having a blast listening to a live band, drinking punch and dancing up a storm. That is until Julie's older brother and his friends show up, reeking of beer! Gross. The party quickly takes a turn for the worse when a fight breaks out and one of the drunk boys hurls all over the place. Talk about a stinker of a party!
After-School Special
The BSG girls are a blast to get to know and Freaked Out is a fun book with a great message. There are a few problems, however. The writing is a bit choppy and hard to follow in some places and while the topic is an important one, the message about alcohol being dangerous comes off a little bit like a cheesy, after-school special. Instead of engaging you in the story, Freaked Out feels like it's being acted out for you by untrained actors reading off of cue-cards.
The Bottom Line
Despite some awkward sections, Freaked Out is a good story that most girls will enjoy. If you have a group of best buds, the BSG series is definitely something you should pick up. Each girl has such a unique personality that you are guaranteed to feel a connection with at least one of them! A bonus is that there are fun extras at the back of the book including a trivia game and an interview with Maeve!
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