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Crystal
Sixteen-year-old Crystal knows she's blessed. She is drop-dead gorgeous and in the beginning stages of a glamorous career as a model in New York City. At first, modeling is exciting. But soon, her life becomes less and less about her, and more and more about her body. Crystal wonders if her new life is worth giving up everything -- her friends, her beliefs, and her self-respect.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
15 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Walter Dean Myers
230 books1,175 followerspseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 8, 2007
If you like Walter Dean Myers, you'll probably like this book. But if you want to be a model or are interested in modeling, you will definitely like this book. It talks all about a girl who is getting into modeling and what her life is like and what struggles she faces.
July 23, 2018
A solid YA novel about a teen getting involved with modeling, featuring many of the typical elements like high pressure and seedy dudes, but unique in that it features a black girl instead of the typical waif-like white girl. The cover model really is gorgeous; it was easy to picture her in the story so I've never forgotten her.
October 7, 2020
Published in 1987 and then 2002. (For author study). Realistic fiction. themes: narcissism, discovering self identity, friendship. This book was about a girl, Crystal, who was getting into a modeling career and struggled with being a good friend and making good choices. I think it would be nice to use this book with middle school students because it highlights a really important time of self discovery for a teenager and how important it is to be a good friend.
November 11, 2014
This is a story of adults behaving badly. Crystal has a promising modeling career, but is increasingly asked to do things that she is not comfortable with. I felt sorrow for the choices she was faced with and anger for the adults who applied pressure instead of support.
Want to read
September 17, 2007IO CANT WAIT TO READ IT
December 1, 2021
Nope nope nope this book wasn’t gainful at all . Crystal was too damn naive to come off as a real teen ……! The adults trying to drain her were so disrespectful, Racist , superficial and giving off a temporary lifestyle crystal’s mother was pushing her into modeling she didn’t even run away around from them perverted blood suckers ! Come on now ..……. Male authors always miss the mark when it comes to writing for from the woman’s point of view ………
August 19, 2022
I grab this book for two reasons. It appeared to be a short book that I could read quickly_in just a few days. Two, it was by the Walter Dean Myers. It was nothing I thought it to be. I found myself having to force myself to pick it up and continue reading. The plus side is that as a whole it is a beautiful story line; I just feel the execution fell short.
October 11, 2024
This books was good in my opinion .This book was a great example of what life is like to be a teenage model in America. Crystal is a drop dead gorgeous African American fashion model in New York City with a big modeling career ahead of her. Crystal overcame many obstacles in this book. and a lot of challenges she faces.
February 10, 2019
Read for research. A workmanlike young-adult novel.
February 20, 2020
I had to forced myself to finished this book. The plot was not very engaging.
May 27, 2020
AMAZING WRITER
September 19, 2023
Great job
Read
July 21, 2024DNF
January 5, 2012
This review is in reference to “Crystal”, a book written by Walter Dean Myers in 1987. The general subject matter is about a young lady starting her modeling career. Crystal Brown is a gorgeous sixteen year old high school student that is starting a new journey. She begins by taking photos and then starts going to parties and on dates so that she can get exposed. Crystal’s parents support her all the way, even though her dad doesn’t know everything that goes on. Her mom is more involved because she says that her dad doesn’t need to know everything. As Crystal gets more involved in this industry she begins to treat her best friend Pat in a rude kind of way, even though she doesn’t mean to at times. Eventually, things become more about crystal’s body and she has to decide whether or not she is comfortable with the things that are going on. The author’s purpose is to let you know that you can’t let a career, or anything for that matter, change who you are and make you lose the self-respect that you should have. At some point you have to come back to your senses and gain control of yourself again. Myers mainly writes from Crystal’s point of view, using dialogue with others and a lot of thoughts and feelings that she is dealing with within herself. “Crystal” made me realize that you shouldn’t do things that don’t sit well with you because you won’t be comfortable doing them anyway. I think “Crystal” reached the goal of letting young ladies know that you can’t let people take advantage of you. You have to keep your composure and go with what sits well with you. I recommend this book to young females that may be in the same boat as Crystal because “Crystal” illustrates the possible situations you could be in and the correct or wrong ways to handle those situations. “Crystal” demonstrates how you have to make your own decisions in life by actually keeping yourself in mind.
October 6, 2010
The book Crystal is about a sixteen year old girl,she is on her way to become a model.
During the book,Crystal find it hard to maintain good grades while working as a model.
When Crysral starts modeling she is starting to see that modeling is not as exciting as she thought,and she is wondering if she is making the right decision.
Crystal's mother support her and want her to become a successful model.
She is having a hard time with modeling,she doesn't feel comfortable with herself and she is feeling like she become someone else.
The main theme in the book is self respect.
Crystal is been asking to do things that she doesn't feel comfortable doing them and throught modleing people are testing her limits and Crysatl is'nt sure what is right and what is wrong.
I think that the book Crystal is interesting.
It makes you wonder about what are your limits,what things you will never do.
One connection that i made is self text to the book Monster, because i think that both main characters share the same probelm.
They both have problem with their identity.
I like this book, because i think that you can really identify with the main character and i will definitely recommend this book to teenagers.
During the book,Crystal find it hard to maintain good grades while working as a model.
When Crysral starts modeling she is starting to see that modeling is not as exciting as she thought,and she is wondering if she is making the right decision.
Crystal's mother support her and want her to become a successful model.
She is having a hard time with modeling,she doesn't feel comfortable with herself and she is feeling like she become someone else.
The main theme in the book is self respect.
Crystal is been asking to do things that she doesn't feel comfortable doing them and throught modleing people are testing her limits and Crysatl is'nt sure what is right and what is wrong.
I think that the book Crystal is interesting.
It makes you wonder about what are your limits,what things you will never do.
One connection that i made is self text to the book Monster, because i think that both main characters share the same probelm.
They both have problem with their identity.
I like this book, because i think that you can really identify with the main character and i will definitely recommend this book to teenagers.
January 20, 2020
"Modeling is a tough racket. You have to put up with a lot of garbage. You're earning this money."
Crystal is at the beginning of a glamorous modeling career in New York City. But what begins as an exciting experience for the sixteen-year-old becomes more than she bargained for in Crystal by author Walter Dean Myers.
I first read this YA novel back in my adolescence. Although the latest edition I read this time may have more than one detail updated from the edition I read decades ago, I can still see why the story painted such an accessible picture for me back then. It says enough, and ultimately hits pretty hard, without spelling everything out.
Yes, this is a story about the entertainment industry, modeling intersecting with television and movies, but of course, the importance is in Crystal's journey of self-discovery. And what I understand more this time around is an aspect of the pressure of Crystal's opportunity where her parents are concerned. Now, there were places where I didn't get the best sense of Crystal's personality, and this isn't a sparkling tale with a happy-go-lucky ending, but it's a compelling one.
This may be the only novel I read by this late author back in the day, but I plan on trying at least a little more of his work.
Crystal is at the beginning of a glamorous modeling career in New York City. But what begins as an exciting experience for the sixteen-year-old becomes more than she bargained for in Crystal by author Walter Dean Myers.
I first read this YA novel back in my adolescence. Although the latest edition I read this time may have more than one detail updated from the edition I read decades ago, I can still see why the story painted such an accessible picture for me back then. It says enough, and ultimately hits pretty hard, without spelling everything out.
Yes, this is a story about the entertainment industry, modeling intersecting with television and movies, but of course, the importance is in Crystal's journey of self-discovery. And what I understand more this time around is an aspect of the pressure of Crystal's opportunity where her parents are concerned. Now, there were places where I didn't get the best sense of Crystal's personality, and this isn't a sparkling tale with a happy-go-lucky ending, but it's a compelling one.
This may be the only novel I read by this late author back in the day, but I plan on trying at least a little more of his work.
April 7, 2011
Crystal is not just an average 16 year old black girl living in Brooklyn--she is exceptionally gorgeous. Her looks get her a modeling agent and she gets thrown into the life of modeling. At first it is glamorous and Crystal loves being told how beautiful she is. However, it all starts to change when more is demanded of Crystal then she wants to give, her grades begin to slip, and friendships start to become estranged. Crystal has to decide if this is really the life she wants, but if she gives it up would she be giving up the chance of a life time?
I didn't really enjoy this book. I felt Crystal was hard to like sometimes. There are also some situations she finds herself in that, to me, just didn't feel realistic because she is a 16 year old girl and I think men in the buisness are smart enough not to try that kind of thing with a minor. It just felt overdone and unrealistic. I felt like the whole book was a slam against modeling and if you choose to model then you are a woman selling your soul and will be miserable the rest of your life. Cormier definetly has a biased opinion against modeling and it showed. The end also felt rushed and seemed to end abruptly; the closure was very odd, with some things never getting resolved. For me, the whole book was just O.K.
I didn't really enjoy this book. I felt Crystal was hard to like sometimes. There are also some situations she finds herself in that, to me, just didn't feel realistic because she is a 16 year old girl and I think men in the buisness are smart enough not to try that kind of thing with a minor. It just felt overdone and unrealistic. I felt like the whole book was a slam against modeling and if you choose to model then you are a woman selling your soul and will be miserable the rest of your life. Cormier definetly has a biased opinion against modeling and it showed. The end also felt rushed and seemed to end abruptly; the closure was very odd, with some things never getting resolved. For me, the whole book was just O.K.
December 9, 2009
This book was like food, you couldnt stop eating it or put it down! Crystal is an interesting book with lots of suspension and parts that make mouths drop. The book crystal was about a girl who wants to be a model. She gets a manager named, Loretta and this woman gets her varies of gigs. Well, Crystal goes to her photographer and he tells her to take off her clothes, but Crystal doesnt want to.She then tells her mom about it and her mom asked her if she did it and Crystal said no. Her mom then says that she shouldve done what the photographer says because in the modeling industry it happens all the time. Yeah, i know this story is full of surprises!!!
This book is written in lots of different ways. This book has lots of dialogue. The chapters are not that long, but just the perfect size. The E.P.C[easy,perfect,challenging:] for this book is "p" because i understand the book just fine and the vocab was manageable.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be interested every second and would like to hear something new that is rarely talked about in books.i love this book and you should read it and tell me how it goes!!! :]
This book is written in lots of different ways. This book has lots of dialogue. The chapters are not that long, but just the perfect size. The E.P.C[easy,perfect,challenging:] for this book is "p" because i understand the book just fine and the vocab was manageable.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be interested every second and would like to hear something new that is rarely talked about in books.i love this book and you should read it and tell me how it goes!!! :]
November 7, 2012
This is a fairly good book. It builds suspense and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. What I really liked about the book is that it was more realistic than fictional even though it is a fiction book. Some of the situations described in the story are things that I can relate to.
I rated this book with four stars because it was really good but not great. It was a little flawed in my opinion. In some instances, the choice of words could have been better. Also I was confused in some parts of the book. It didn't give great description in some parts. But other than that, it's a good book and I would recommend young adults, considerably females to read this book. It's easy to read and understand, and it's very interesting and intriguing.
I rated this book with four stars because it was really good but not great. It was a little flawed in my opinion. In some instances, the choice of words could have been better. Also I was confused in some parts of the book. It didn't give great description in some parts. But other than that, it's a good book and I would recommend young adults, considerably females to read this book. It's easy to read and understand, and it's very interesting and intriguing.
February 4, 2014
This is a story of a beautiful African-American teenager named crystal. She is an up and coming model whose trying to balance her blooming career with her studies and family life. As she begins to realize the real side to modeling, her perception changes and her life turns upside down.
I think the book was interesting and very suspicious in some parts. The book appealed to me because I have various similiarities to the protagonist, Crystal. The struggles and moral dilemmas she faces in this book are similar to some that many teens deal with today. I feel it covers problems relevant to my generation of entertainers and models and etc. It was also very informative about the business and bad side of modeling. This book is great for young teens looking for a good thought provoking read.
I think the book was interesting and very suspicious in some parts. The book appealed to me because I have various similiarities to the protagonist, Crystal. The struggles and moral dilemmas she faces in this book are similar to some that many teens deal with today. I feel it covers problems relevant to my generation of entertainers and models and etc. It was also very informative about the business and bad side of modeling. This book is great for young teens looking for a good thought provoking read.
September 3, 2009
16-year-old Crystal has already begun on a modeling career that thrills her and excites her mother, though her father is more hesitant about her success. However, little by little, she is forced to choose between modeling and her friends, her schooling, her standards. She begins to question whether what she is gaining is worth what she is losing. Positive. The novel includes some mature situations where she is challenged to model in the nude and trade sexual favors for success, but her choices end up to be good ones and the situations are subtly and sensitively handled. (Some parents might object, however.)
January 25, 2011
Interesting idea. In this book Meyers takes a poor black girl from the ghetto and transposes her into the world of modeling. Her mother is pressuring her to make something of herself since this opportunity has been offered to her, while her father is a little bit more reluctant. The thing is Crystal has values that are not common to the fashion world. When her agent tries to talk her into a skanky shoot where she appears nude and her only friend in the modeling industry kills herself, Crystal must reevaluate her life and priorities.
I don't know that I would recommend this one. Good story, I didn't find it that intriguing though.
I don't know that I would recommend this one. Good story, I didn't find it that intriguing though.
December 30, 2009
This book is about a girl named Crysatl who has big dreams in being a model she has been in photoshots and is offered a role ina n upcaming movie but she quits the movie and photos because she belives that she shouldn't let people take advantage of her. I liked this book because it talked about all the obsteciles she had to over come to make her dreams come true and in a way it tells you that she is strong and won't let people take advantage of her.Something I liked that Walter Dean Myers did was show all her emotins and thoughts through out the book. (even thoughit is realistic fiction.)
July 5, 2010
Well this book lost my focus a few times, that's why it got a 3. It was alright i guess. I don't know. I guess I was waiting for some big thing to happen and it didn't. The book is about this girl and she's really beautiful. She is also a new model. At first she likes it, that is until she has to "pose in a way that isnt comfortable" for her and realizes that all anyone in that business cares about is her body, not the person inside. When i bought this book i guess I was expecting more. Instead i got less. An alright book I guess.
October 26, 2009
The book crystal by walter dean myers is about a teenager girl named Crystal.She begins trying to succeed her dream of becoming a model.There she learns a new life style that she finds facinating.Until she learns the true meaning of being a model.Realizing after all that she hasnt been chasing her dream but her mother's and determines to end her modeling career. I would recomment this book to people that like realistic fiction books.
November 29, 2011
Crystal is a sixteen year old girl who as everything she need,and want. She's beginning her career as a young black model in New York City. Everything is good until she realizes that her life is becoming less about her and more about modeling. she starts doing thing that she wouldn't normally do, she starts drifting away from her friends and family.
This might be a spoiler but, she eventually realize that modeling isn't worth it when she loses someone close to her.
This might be a spoiler but, she eventually realize that modeling isn't worth it when she loses someone close to her.
October 21, 2007
This book is about a girl who has a career in modeling and at first she loves it and its exciting but then things change like they want her to pose nude and her life changed when her frienf Rowena died from having stress and trying to kill herself. This book is interesting i stringly reccomend it to modeling people but also to regular people who dont have modeling careers.
May 13, 2010
Another excellent book by Walter Dean Myers. One reason why I like this book so much is that it deals with such real issues facing teenagers today. Crystal, the main character, has a dream of becoming a model, and is faced with all the beauty and uglieness that modeling comes with. Girls can find a role model in Crystal, and can identify with her easily.
July 7, 2013
A very simplistic book about the exploitation of young girls in the glamor filled worlds of modeling and acting. There was a lot of pressure for her to give up her values to attain wealth and popularity. She realizes that friendship and self -respect are more precious than forcing oneself to do things for fame and fortune.
June 6, 2014
I have to say Walter Dean Meyers had been a great author for a while since my fourth grade year I've been trying to read this book and I did and it was amazing. It's about a church girl named Crystal who soon becomes a model and journey through the advances and disadvantage of being a drop dead gorgeous model if you would like to know if it was all adventurous or a total dread read this book !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews