Paradise

Reader: Emily
Age: 17
Title: Paradise
Author: Jill S. Alexander
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pub Date: 06/05/2011
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Paradise is a memorable story about one high school junior's journey to become the drummer she has always wanted to be, while dealing with the inevitable: facing her mother. Paradise details Paisley's emotions and self-discovery. Through Paradise, an accordion playing singer, she learns to expand her abilities and learn the importance of coming clean to family.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: When Paisley finally tells her mother and confessed to playing with the band, it was refreshing to have her mother still be a mother and not be easily won over. The slow transition is realistic, instead of having an instantaneous transformation, something that adds to the quality of the book.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: No
Cover: The cover is a little girly, but I appreciate the black and white photo. The girl's hair should have been shorter, because in the book her hair was not that long. The cover is attracting to female readers, but doesn't reflect the contents as much as it should. Perhaps the cover picture could be shot from farther away maybe in the airplane hanger doorway instead of a close up.
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal