Girl Out Loud
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
*Silent Scream!*Kass Kennedy is nobody's idol. She does forget the lyrics. She's not a gleek. The x factor? Not her! Read her lips: She has the right to remain silent.Just try telling that to her dad. Because he's totally lost it this time, demanding Kass audition for a TV talent show. Which would be slightly less than death-by-embarrassment if Kass could (duh!) actually sing. And if even the smallest part of her craved the spotlight. Stardom is her dad's dream, not hers. But he's so fragile, she's afraid he just might crack if she doesn't go through with his latest, craziest plan.Not helping: Her hopelessly MIA mom. The budding criminal mastermind also known as her kid brother. And amateur shrink Izzy and used-to-be-sweet Char, who've gone all frenemies over a boy in brown boots. (Don't ask.)It's only rock n' roll? If only! Inside, Kass is screaming, but no one is listening. How loud does a girl have to shout to be heard?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Fifteen-year-old Kass Kennedy, her mother, and her brother are ruled by the whims of Kass's father, who they fear has a mild form of bipolar disorder. Anything can set him off: when he's "On The Up," sudden passions take over (the latest: he wants Kass to audition for Simon Cowell's X Factor TV talent show). And something as small as a news report about a murdered local man can trigger depressive "Gray Tracksuit Days," which can stretch for weeks or months. From the start, British author Gale, in her first YA novel, skillfully establishes the frustrating and unpredictable home environment in which Kass and her family feel trapped. Worse, Kass has no one to turn to: she barely communicates with her mother and younger brother; Kass's two best friends, Char and Izzy, shut her out when Char's long-term crush, Cassian, shows an interest in Kass; and even Cassian isn't the ray of hope Kass initially believes him to be. It's an emotionally draining and at times melodramatic story readers will have no trouble feeling Kass's unrelenting anxiety leavened (somewhat) by Kass's sarcastic humor. Ages 12 16.