Changing My Wardrobe

I was really surprised by Changing My Wardrobe, and I mean that in a good way. I read the blurb for the book and thought it looked very interesting, but then I wasn't sure, because I don't usually read too many sad stories. However, the importance of the message in the blurb was one that I couldn't pass by. When I first started reading the book, I thought well this is going to be a good book for tweens and teens - young girl starting her first year of high school, wants to change her image because she has been teased in junior high, cool best friend to help her, cute guy likes her and becomes her boyfriend, the mean girl....yeah, I thought, perfect sweet read for teens. It made me think about all the drama that goes on in high school and how I would never want to do that again. Then the story began to intensify. Lindsey and Marco end up at a friend's party, only there are drugs and alcohol there, which leads to a police raid. The bullying takes a much more serious turn, i.e., text messages, pictures, facebook, drugs, and even physical altercations against Teeny, Lindsey's BFF. By the time I reached this point in the book, I now understood what the author meant in the book description. Let me interject at this point that I loved the characters, well except for Avery, but Avery plays her part well.

Deb Hanrahan has done an outstanding job writing this story. The message portrayed in this book regarding the different perspectives on bullying is superbly done. The story line and plot are very believable and are written in such a way that preteens and teens can identify with, enjoy, and learn from. It is also great for parents to read, and if you have kids, I would suggest doing that. Let me tell you, Deb Hanrahan isn't kidding when she says this story will leave the reader shocked and heartbroken. I can't elaborate anymore on that without spoiling it, but I will say that I thought about this book for a very long time after I read it. Even though it was heartbreaking, the author has written the ending in such a way that as the reader, you are able to come to terms with what happens much easier and are not left just hanging there. Overall, this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it for all teens and parents. ( )

I was amazingly moved when I read Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan. This is an honest book about teen bullying and the tragedy that it can do to people.

The characters, the plot, even the dialog seemed real. I admire how Ms. Hanrahan showed the not only the victims side but the bully’s side as well.

I recommend this book not only to teens but to parents as well. I think parents need to be more aware of what is going on out there and I really think this book can help enlighten them. ( )

Changing My Wardrobe is about a freshman, Lindsey, who desperately wants a fresh start entering high school. With her friends Grouper and Teeny by her side, she musters a bit of courage and hopes to forget her tormentor, Avery, and breathe some life into her life. For a time, it seems things might turn around. Lindsey meets a boy that changes her life, Teeny makes the cheer team, and Grouper makes the swim team and finds love. But after an incident at the mall, Avery’s vengeance switches focus from Lindsey, to Lindsey’s best friend Teeny. Does Lindsey find the courage to save her best friend? And can she keep the boy of her dreams in the process?

I’ll start off by saying that I am not one who reads YA novels by choice. Typically if you spot me reading one I’m only doing so to make sure it’s ok for my daughter to read. And that was the case with this book. I bought it on the heels of my daughter getting her first taste of bullies. I have to give it Hanrahan, because it doesn’t take long before you’re pulled into the story and forget entirely that you’re reading a book you purchased for your daughter.

Changing My Wardrobe touches on a lot of subjects, first loves, bullies, sexting, drugs, and the need for acceptance and belonging teenagers so often crave. And you might think there’s no way to cover so many issues teens face without smothering the story with life lessons through an adult’s voice. But this novel doesn’t wreak of the preachiness so many have before it. It approaches these subjects with a fast moving plot, intriguing characters teens can relate to, suspense and twists you could never see coming. Throughout the book you’ll find real problems kids face, realistic reactions, and solid advice for them slipped into witty dialogue.

This is a book you just have to keep reading. So many times when reading, even if you absolutely love the book, endings are pretty predictable. This ending, well, powerful is the word that comes to mind. I won’t spoil it, but this book almost made me cry. And keep in mind, I don’t cry over books, ever.

I would absolutely recommend this book to teens and adults alike. Hanrahan does a superb job of touching some tough issues through a teens eyes, slipping into the twisting plot some real nuggets of solid advice that teens can sink their teeth into. If you’re a fan of YA, try this book. If you’ve got teens, try this book.

Sometimes when you read a book you wonder how it got such high rated reviews, that’s not the case here. Every star is well deserved.

Copied from my blog Crazy Lady with a Pen http://crazyladywithapen.blogspot.com/ ( )

This is an easy to read YA book with a contemporary and at the same time timeless story: can I change, can I fit in when I change my way of dressing? Overall, the story is relatable and applicable to the average teenage life. At times the reading gets a bit slow and repetitive. Often emotions and viewpoints are spelled out rather than letting the reader discover them through his/her own conclusions.
The concepts of friendship and rivalry come across quite well. Every character has a story that is not initially visible just by appearance or demeanor. The ending is quite a surprise and breaks with the general flow of action of the plot, and therefore was a bit unbelievable and over the top. ( )