Book Review of Reality Natalie by Author Katie Sparks

Book: Reality Natalie
Author: Katie Sparks
Print Length: 150 pages
Publisher: Firedrake Books, LLC (October 15, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
The Language: English
ASIN: B00NFTEG08

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2014 | Age Level: 8 - 13 | Grade Level: 4 - 6

CAMERAS ROLLING…ACTION!

When the most popular kids' TV show, Kidz Konnection, decides to hold auditions for a guest host spot, the show’s BIGGEST fan decides to audition.

[Cue Natalie Greyson]

Eleven-year-old Natalie is determined to overcome her habit of turning into a tongue-tied, air ball burping, runny-nose disaster whenever something embarrassing happens in front of an audience so she can audition for the coveted role. As the show’s biggest fan, no one could possibly deserve it more than her!
Except a GIANT obstacle stands in her way: her parents deny her permission to audition.

To make matters even worse, Natalie's naturally talented best friend, Kailyn, decides to audition too, and will stop at nothing to win. With their friendship suddenly in question, Natalie turns to her blog, In A “Nat” Shell, to vent her frustrations, but Natalie’s emotional outpouring and lies only creates more anxiety for herself. With the stakes high, Natalie goes against her parent’s wishes and decides to audition, but Kailyn has her own secret plan to be Number One, even if it means doing so at the expense of her best friend. Can Natalie find a way out of the drama and into the spotlight? Or will the competitive pressure cause her to lose her ultimate dream along with her best friend?

Book Review:

Brittany Perez (Oh My Bookness)

@ohmybookness

February 18,2015

Reality Natalie by Katie Sparks is about a young girl Natalie Greyson. Natalie Greyson is a young girl with big dreams. She has dreams of being on the most popular kids show, Kidz Connection. The only thing is her parents do no want her auditioning for the show. THE WORST THING in Natalie's mind is her Siblings, they are the reason why her parents don't want her to audition because they have a "large" photo shoot scheduled (like that is fair). Of course they get to be "famous" but when she wants to be on a TV show and make a name for herself as well as HAVE HER DREAMA COME TRUE of being FAMOUS, POPULAR and last but not least BE RESPECTED, but all hope gets squashed by ugh,THE Parents. To make matters worse her friends just have to be talented....of course. Like god can't [she] have ANYTHING! Even better her best friend is UBER talented, confident, and also plans to audition. How UN-FAIR! Now Natalie absolutely for sure does not stand a chance with her running.

For Natalie being eleven *Shivers* is just awkward in any public situations. For example:

1. Just talking she stutters and stumbles over her words.

2. Let's not get into giving speeches, it most absolutely does not give her leg up in the competition with her fumbling and dropping things.

But this is Natalie Dreams! Why can't anyone get that,not even her best friend who is willing to risk their friendship just to win. But isn't Natalie sort of willing to as well jus for her 15 min.

With bypassing her parents in order to accomplish what she wants, it looks like her best bet is taking advantage of the schools field trip to the local station. A girl has to what has to do when it comes to fame right? Or No? But for Natalie is the path she is taking going to make the stars in her eyes come true? Is it going to come with a price? Is she willing to suffer absolute public humiliation? She just might be so, but will her guilt ridden mind accompanied with the chances of losing a friend? Along with the cost of fraudulently impersonating a parent all be to much? For Natalie where will the line be drawn. What will Natalie decide, what direction will she go in? Will she go with deceit? With lies , risk of losing ones close to her, OR be honest, and real as one can possibly be?

Reality Natalie by Katie Sparks is a good book for young girls, she is fun, full of life, spunky determined, and quirky with her own charming qualities. Natalie learns a lot about herself on her journey to find fame and become the "cooler" she thought for herself and thought she really wanted more than any friendship and trust of her parents.

With depth and heart, self reflection, with personal growth, learning, and growing into one self. Natalie learns on her journey and finds their is more to life than fame. Their is friends, trust, the support of others even when you have a small disagreement.

This is a great coming of age story,min a world full of imperfections, growth, sibling rivalry,parental quips and learning you are as good as you make yourself.

This is s story many young girls can relate to. The feelings and emotions,the hormones going all wanky. The need to fit in at any possible means, rebelling against parental figures and wanting to be cool and feel no one understands you.....its a great story for any girl, it is easy to relate on a personal level with a nice plot development to give the story substance.

About The Author:

At a very young age, Katie Sparks discovered the magic of books. She counted on weekly library visits and treasured receiving her first library card at the age of five. At six, she wrote her first story called Baby Carrie (still in her collection today!) Katie knew then that writing would be in her future. By day, she is an editor for the parent consumer line at a non-profit medical association and enjoys working closely with authors and industry professionals. Immersed in the publishing industry in both her professional and personal life is a dream come true. On weekends you will often find her writing and sipping coffee at one of the many unique coffee shops in Chicago, spending time with family and friends, or curled up with a new book. Katie has been an active member of SCBWI for the past seven years. She lives in Chicago with her devoted and extremely vocal cat Moe. Her upcoming MG Novel, Reality Natalie is her debut novel.

Follow Oh My Bookness©

Keep update on upcoming book reviews, giveaways, author interviews and more.