India

Good book. Victoria Murray is one of my favorite authors. Since I work with young people in my church, this book gives me a insight into some of the things they deal with. I can't wait for her next Jasmine book.

The Divas are now a real group; they won the competition at the Kodak Theatre, and they are the Divine Divas, no less. Diamond, Veronique, and even the reluctant, Aaliyah all seem caught up in the attention, fame and excitement. However, India is struggling. She feels too tall, too fat, too light or too dark, depending on what day it is. She simply feels like an outsider. From the very first page of The Divas: India by Victoria Christopher Murray, I felt the young woman's pain. I could visualize how she must have felt when she was unable to shop with her friends because she was much larger than they were. Or, how embarrassed she felt when she had three hamburgers on her plate and others around her stared. Ms. Christopher Murray chose a very timely and necessary topic to cover in her latest in The Divas series, self-esteem and fitting in. India is convinced she has to do something about her weight when she hears her mother discussing her size with her father. Surely, if her own mother thinks she is fat and should do something about it, she should? Since there is a big competition coming up, India knows it is time for drastic measures. After trying to find a solution, her cousin, Jill, tells her a secret way to lose weight, and feeling desperate India takes her advice. Immediately the pounds start coming off and attention starts to flow her way. Though she loves the attention and her new size, inside she knows she is wrong. But what can she do when it seems to be the only way to be a star? India will discover that keeping secrets and taking the easy way out can be detrimental to who she is and to her very life. I recommend this young adult novel to all readers. This novel is a timely story that can resonate with anyone who has struggled with weight and self-esteem issues. Angelia Menchan APOOO BookClub