Little Divas

by Philana Marie Boles

The summer before seventh grade, Cassidy Carter must come to terms with living with her father, practically a stranger, as well as her relationships with her cousins, all amidst the overall confusion of adolescence.

Genres: Middle Grade

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 2005

About the author

Philana Marie Boles has a BFA in English/Creative Writing and Theater from Bowling Green State University and is the author of Little Divas - a popular novel for tweens - as well as the adult novels In the Paint and Blame It on Eve. She lives, writes and works as a consultant in New York City.

In addition to being a word artist, Philana has worked for Spike Lee's Brooklyn based film company (40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks), Glamour magazine (as a media relations assistant)and as a substitute teacher, which she often refers to as her "favorite gig of all".

One who unfailingly always gives any and all glory to God, Philana Marie Boles is also the founder of CeleRead, a "read-for fun" not-for-profit literacy campaign.

Reviews

[Jocey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for young girls in between (10-12)

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Cassidy Carter doesn't mind that she's still twelve, but her cousin, Rikki, can't wait to grow older.

Now that Cassidy's mother has gone to Africa to fulfill a lifelong dream, and Cassidy has moved in with her father, she's spending more time than ever with Rikki while her dad works. Rikki and her older sister, Mary, put in a lot of effort to sneak around their strict parents, who won't let them see boys or eat junk food. Cassidy always goes along with their plans, even though she doesn't care much for boys yet and she's getting a little bit tired of Rikki's attitude.

But now, Rikki tells Cassidy a secret that Cassidy's father has been keeping from her, and Cassidy can't believe her father would do that. What right does he have to send her to a private school when she's so excited to be going to school with Rikki and the rest of their friends?

Cassidy decides that if her father can keep things from her, then she's going to return the favor and sneak around him a bit. When a new girl, Golden, moves in next door, Cassidy decides that it's time to stand up to her cousin, and speak out for herself, but how far will she have to go?

While this story held a nice message of self-reliance and standing up to peer pressure, I felt that a few of the situations backfired in sending that message. We also have a few mentions of "doing `the grown up,'" and a particular one near the end of the book just seemed to come out of nowhere. That surprised me, and took away some of my enjoyment in the story's resolution.

Otherwise, I think LITTLE DIVAS serves its purpose in giving young girls a realistic look at situations in which they can protect themselves from overbearing peers.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot and thought and was funny and i could not put it down!

[Aesha☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book.

[Courtney Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book but i don't think a twelve year old should be french kissing though

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Ohio author, who has written for the likes of Spike Lee’s film company and Glamour Magazine, has written a story about three 12-year-old girls’ summer with such great characterization and perfect dialect making it hard to put down. Rikki is the daughter of a preacher. Her cousin Cassidy is dealing with the divorce of her parents and her mother’s move to Africa for a year. Golden is the new girl who moves in next door to Cassidy and is also experiencing the effects of divorce. The situations are those that most girls their age can identify with. They talk about the upcoming school year, boys, the things their parents will and will not allow them to do, how it will be when they grow up. In Rikki’s case, much time is spent deceiving her father who expects perfect behavior from his daughters. She covers for her older sister who secretly meets with her boyfriend during the evenings. She lies about where she is going and whom she is seeing. Cassidy goes along with her cousin when they are together but is becoming increasingly unhappy with their relationship. She is also shocked about the apparent secrets her father is keeping from her concerning her possible attendance at a private school in the Fall and the women he may be dating. She keeps a journal for her mother to read when she returns home but often fills it with stories about how well things are going, when they are not. Golden keeps most things to herself and needs a parent to give her some guidance. She has a hard time becoming friends with Rikki and Cassidy until they invite her to a pool party that none of them have permission to attend. The pool party and the repercussions of attending the pool party become defining moments for the girls. This is a good book for girls who are at that confusing age between being little girls and becoming teenagers.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Iyanna Branch]

Each little diva have their own different characteristics and personalities with make them a good click. I recommend this book for girls who like drama genres.

[Brybaby]

this book was good it dealed with romance and strict parents it helps you if you have problems like that alittle i sort kinda had a connection with each kid in a way

[PPocahontasP Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book for a young girl. I read this book in 7th grade and fell in love with it .

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite book when I was young! One of the first I've ever owned! Great intro to novels for elementary girls, I think.

[Jazmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was maybe 12 (I'm 19 now) and I loved it then. I found it in box of books in my basement and I'm re-reading it now!

[™yourbeautifulnightmaree™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book i really liked it! One of the charachters in this book are just like me!

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great story.really intersting

[Jokoie W]

This book was very interesting. Not really the types of books someone as myself would need to read in 7th grade. So I would recommend this book to children in elementary school. But other than that it was a good quick book for if your a kid whose relaxing and needs something quick to read, then I would recommend this book.