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Shrinking Violet

by Danielle Joseph (Goodreads Author)

3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 · rating details · 1,609 ratings · 173 reviews

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class.

But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out - doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blos...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 5th 2009 by MTV Books

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Lists with This Book

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The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

2009 Debutantes

22nd out of 59 books — 414 voters

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14th out of 359 books — 488 voters

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Nov 13, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Teresa Adams, aka Tere, is painfully shy. Just the thought of speaking to people feels like a glob of peanut butter is stuck in her throat.

The only time she is totally comfortable is in the privacy of her own room, her iPod pumping in her ears, and doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station - SLAM - which also just happens to be owned by her stepfather.

Tere surprises herself when a slot opens up at the station and she tells Rob, her step...more

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Mar 08, 2009 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Teresa Adams is painfully shy. Her shyness is almost a sickness. Most people assume that there is something wrong with her because she can speak yet she won't. The only time she can really open up is when she is alone in her bedroom doing fake broadcasts along with the radio.

Tere knows that she is a disappointment to her mom and an embarrassment to be seen in public with. She knows that her mom always wanted a daughter that was pretty and popular and she knows that that will never be her. She an...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Kim rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: whiny-women-brainless-bimbos, made-me-puke

It's a pity how a really good premise can be jeopardised by a less-than-stellar delivery.
This book really piqued my interest because who doesn't like an underdog-turned-heroine story? Unfortunately, the style of the writing, for me, fails to deliver this book to its maximum potential.
This book talks from a first-person perspective about a really shy girl, Tere, who, against all expectations, rises to become a successful DJ as she's always dreamed to become. However, I failed to connect with the...more It's a pity how a really good premise can be jeopardised by a less-than-stellar delivery.
This book really piqued my interest because who doesn't like an underdog-turned-heroine story? Unfortunately, the style of the writing, for me, fails to deliver this book to its maximum potential.
This book talks from a first-person perspective about a really shy girl, Tere, who, against all expectations, rises to become a successful DJ as she's always dreamed to become. However, I failed to connect with the entire book because I couldn't connect with Tere. At all.
For a really shy person, Tere does have a lot going on in her head. In fact, she thinks normally. Too normally. In fact, I wonder: Is that how shy people think? Because throughout the book, she not once struck me as a shy person. More like a lose-wannabe, really. She comes up with normal thoughts (some pretty evil or bitchy, in fact) but then she's busy over-thinking them (and not because she's shy to put thoughts into speech or actions or whatever) that all we get are empty promises of what could have been a great twist or development to the story. Sounds like a walking, (non-)talking hypocrite to me.
I know a handful of shy people who would run up the wall rather than speak up in public. One thing that Tere's gotten right: shy people are afraid of public humiliation should they ever use their vocal chords. Sure, they aren't anti-social beings. But from my knowledge, shy people try to make up for their lack of speech by completing their responsibilities. They act rather than talk. Tere? Not really. In a group project, Tere's constantly chided for not getting her part of the research done, for not getting her part of the job completed. Heck, her group mates even have to help her! Does she feel grateful? No, not really. All she does, besides existing in the group, is ogling her crush, who also happens to be in her group too. What the hell.
With regards to the supporting characters, I believe that their existence in this group is only to shine the limelight onto the main character (who, much to my abhorrence, happens to be Tere). They don't have a shadow of a character, or not even a life of their own. All they do throughout this book is be there when Tere needs help (which is pretty much all the time), or when Tere wants to finally use her ability of speech. The whole world in this book pretty much revolves around Tere. That or Tere makes it so, not giving a damn about her friends own lives (except, of course, her crush, as aforementioned).
When Tere becomes a DJ, I was hoping for an insight to the daily responsibilities of a DJ career or an overview of the behind-the-scenes in a radio station. In fact, all I learned is that a DJ answers phone calls and gives self-introductions a gazillion of times over the radio for a living. Gee, swell life right?
A really disappointing read. This book gives you what it promises in the blurb but nothing more. (less)

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May 10, 2012 Charlie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommended, chick-lit, romance, young-adult, music

Amazing, amazing, amazing!

I was about to give up after the first chapter because I figured out that being a closet radio DJ means she likes popular and mainstream songs but my interest on the book didn't backed down and I'm glad I continued reading it.

I've never read any chick lit that made me feel this giddy. I was literally laughing out loud to shake off the nervousness. Yes, I felt nervous during the prom scene like I was actually Tere.

I admit, I sorta kinda figured the ending. It's predictab...more

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Dec 06, 2011 Aimee (Coffee Table Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, favorites

I absolutely loved this! I had a really hard time putting this down until I read every last word! Tere is such a great character who is so shy, people think she's deaf and mute. But her dream is to be a DJ, where speaking is pretty essential. I was pretty shy in high school, not quite as bad as Tere, but I was able to really identify with her and what she felt when it came to talking to or in front of people. I knew what she was going through and was excited when she pulled through.

I am not a fa...more

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Aug 21, 2010 Jane Story rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shrinking Violet is a book that drew me in by the cover. It's such a pretty cover, isn't it?

That is my first bit of praise for this book. The rest of the praise will be solely attributed to the content. For one, the character of Tere Adams is one that is universal. Extremely shy, but with a hidden edgier side. There are shy girls everywhere we go, but it's only a matter of noticing them. I did think that her character may have been a bit exaggerated at points, but overall she was realistic and e...more

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Nov 05, 2009 Princess Bookie rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Thoughts: We begin the story with Teresa Adams being a really shy girl. I could relate to her on so many levels. She just wanted to do what she could to stay away from being embarrased. The mean girl picked on her. She just wanted to go to school, not get noticed very much, and do what she was supposed too. Even her mom was on her case a lot. Her stepfather owns the radio station and she goes on the radio and starts to do a few segmants. She is truly herself on the radio. Nobody there to hold...more

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Oct 28, 2009 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, young-adult

A cute, fun read that is at times predictable but still not too cookie-cutter perfect. Tere is a shy high school senior who becomes a late night DJ nicknamed Sweet T at her stepfather's popular radio station. Practically overnight, she becomes a hit, though no one knows Sweet Ts real identity. The station decides to run a songwriting contest where the winner goes to prom with Sweet T, and she grows increasingly nervous about this unveiling of her identity.

I liked the backdrop of a radio station...more

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Aug 03, 2009 Reggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shrinking Violet is one of the most original books I've ever read...and it was amazing. A shy girl, dreaming of becoming a DJ is totally fresh and new. It's a fun read, but underneath all of the light-hearted themes is a message to believe in yourself and not be afraid of standing up for yourself.

Tere's character is completely new to me. I've never come accross anything like her. She's always being put down by everyone, and eventually, she learns to break out of her shell and shine. And even tho...more

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Jun 19, 2009 Deltay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shrinking Violet - an undeniably unique title. And how befitting for a novel whose premise and leading lady are unique! Danielle Joseph's debut is a SLAMmin' success. There's something about the cover image that just pulls you in; kind of shy and in hiding, but at the same time, there's a mysterious, playful air underneath.

Such is the character of Tere Adams. Told from first person perspective from the infamous Sweet T/Tere herself in present tense, Shrinking Violet chronicles her inspiring jour...more Shrinking Violet - an undeniably unique title. And how befitting for a novel whose premise and leading lady are unique! Danielle Joseph's debut is a SLAMmin' success. There's something about the cover image that just pulls you in; kind of shy and in hiding, but at the same time, there's a mysterious, playful air underneath.

Such is the character of Tere Adams. Told from first person perspective from the infamous Sweet T/Tere herself in present tense, Shrinking Violet chronicles her inspiring journey from a painfully shy senior who barely speaks into an enviable young woman who's starting to understand herself. Tere tells it well - the voice in [the novel:] is excellent. Quirky and fun, it's distinctively Tere. In her own words, "I was comfortable with my role as the quiet observer" (Joseph 42). And how well she observes the world! Small, unexpected cynically sarcastic comments along the way add a refreshing sort of amusement.

Tere's characterization was credible and relatable. Although most of us probably aren't nearly as shy as how Tere starts out, it's still easy to emphathize with her character. We've all experienced instances of wanting to say something, but feeling too shy, or self-conscious, or doubtful, to voice our opinion. We've all experienced instances of wanting to explain something, but being unable to. And (hopefully) we've all experienced the thrill of standing up for either ourselves or someone else when we see unjust treatment. Shrinking Violet will have readers feeling frustrated and wanting to help Tere out in the beginning. It's magnificent to watch her transition out of her shell, getting caught up in the emotions and feeling that triumphant "yay!" when she experiences successes.

Gavin was definitely an interesting character, as were Stacy and Audrey. However, I would've liked to see a little more depth and development of the supporting cast - but as it's told from Tere's perspective, it's fitting and realistic as is. Her mother, Rob, Jason, Derek, Pop-Tart (aka Kelly)... they're all likeable each in their own way. Each of their flaws only make them more realistic. And it's great to see how they evolve with, and aid, Tere in her journey of self-discovery.

There's a lot of subject matters out there which are now bordering on cliche, when it comes to YA. With Shrinking Violet, Joesph has managed to inject something new onto the scene. This focuses on radio stations and DJs, not exactly your typical reality t.v. And it's great to see more about what goes on behind the scenes, for radio programs. (In fact, the only other DJ/radio book that comes to mind at the moment is Sarah Dessen's Just Listen.) Music is an integral part of Tere's life - I would guess that's an aspect of her life that a lot of readers will be able to relate to. How many of you out there rely on music, while doing homework, running, just chilling...?

The plot... what can I say? Shrinking Violet is a cute YA story about one girl's incredible evolvement from being unbearably shy to being able to hold her own. But let's face it; when it comes to genre, you're not going to find much mystery with this. The ending was pretty predictable. But at the same time, in this context, the perfect-happy-go-lucky resolution works. Definitely an uplifting cheer-up type of read.

Unique concept, fun voice, intriguing characters... Shrinking Violet's definitely got the elements of a memorable debut. Sweet T.(less)

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Jun 18, 2009 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Teresa Adams is shy, so shy, the very thought of public speaking makes her feel queasy. But it’s only around other people that this unbearable shyness rears its head; from the safe haven of her bedroom, Tere has no problem pretending to be a radio DJ for Miami’s hottest station The SLAM, coincidentally owned by her stepfather. Music is the only thing that makes Tere feel like herself, so it’s no surprise when Tere volunteers to fill and empty slot for her stepfather’s station when it opens up. N...more Teresa Adams is shy, so shy, the very thought of public speaking makes her feel queasy. But it’s only around other people that this unbearable shyness rears its head; from the safe haven of her bedroom, Tere has no problem pretending to be a radio DJ for Miami’s hottest station The SLAM, coincidentally owned by her stepfather. Music is the only thing that makes Tere feel like herself, so it’s no surprise when Tere volunteers to fill and empty slot for her stepfather’s station when it opens up. Now, it’s goodbye shy Tere and hello Sweet T. if only Tere could take Sweet T’s on-air confidence home and to school, when Tere could really use some support in standing up to popular queen bee Stacy and the mom Tere can never seem to please. Of course, it also wouldn’t hurt if Tere were able to hold a normal conversation with her crush Gavin. But now Tere has other things to worry about; her dual personalities are about to be put to the ultimate test when Tere becomes the grand prize in The SLAM’s latest contest, or rather, her as a prom date. Will Sweet T be victorious, or will Tere’s shyness rule once and for all?

Shrinking Violet is one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read as well as one of the cutest music romances. Cuteness can only go so far though. This novel also is one of the most predictable I’ve ever read. Shrinking Violet held absolutely no surprises for me, and thus earned no points in the suspense department. I guess it’s a good thing then that I enjoyed this predictable romance as much as I did. It also helped that Tere’s character is well developed and realistic. Her painful shyness makes it easy to understand her reactions in various confrontations, such as with her mom, evil bully Stacy, cute Gavin, and even Pamela, the Mary Kay lady. It’s Tere’s poor self esteem that causes this shyness, and thus it makes the story all the more sweeter when Tere, predictably, gains even the smallest degree of self confidence. Lastly, I must really hand it to Joseph for her superb incorporation of music into Tere’s life and this novel. As a girl who can’t live without her iPod, I greatly appreciate this importance given to music and even found myself wishing Joseph’s fictional bands, such as Shrinking Violet, were real. Without a doubt, Shrinking Violet is a sweet story for music lovers that can cheer anyone up.

Shrinking Violet will be enjoyed primarily by readers who value music and enjoyed novels such as Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and the Violet series by Melissa walker. Those looking for a satisfying romantic read will also want to check out this cute novel.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

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Jun 02, 2009 Adele rated it 3 of 5 stars

How many of us have read books about shy girls who are about as shy as a Pussycat Doll? Wow look at that sea of hands. In the case of Tere, she really is a shy girl, so much so that her teachers and classmates don't expect her to speak at all. At one point someone even assumes she's deaf and dumb. Numbed and closeted by her mother's need to show her love through an onslaught of criticism, Tere avoids life...with an exception to her friend, Audrey, and her pretend hosting gigs on SLAM.

I had high...more How many of us have read books about shy girls who are about as shy as a Pussycat Doll? Wow look at that sea of hands. In the case of Tere, she really is a shy girl, so much so that her teachers and classmates don't expect her to speak at all. At one point someone even assumes she's deaf and dumb. Numbed and closeted by her mother's need to show her love through an onslaught of criticism, Tere avoids life...with an exception to her friend, Audrey, and her pretend hosting gigs on SLAM.

I had high expectations from this novel and I think in many points it achieved them. The characters are well established but the storyline was fairly predictable. I could see the end a mile off but really enjoyed that some elements, like that of Tere's relationship with her mother weren't tied up with a shiny red bow. Gavin is a different sort of romantic lead - friendly, affable and a little ambiguous (for awhile anyway). He's definitely not the typical "guy" and I liked him for that, I would have liked to know a little bit more about him though. Other characters like the charming Jason, the sexist Derek and the insightful Pop-Tart were all fantastic individuals that facilitated the protagonist's growth without being heavy handed.

Some people might question why Tere, who suffers chronic shyness in answering questions in class (she compares it to having a mouthful of peanut butter) would be interested in hosting a radio program. If you think about it, it makes complete sense. Radio is a largely anonymous format where the music and your voice are your way of reaching out to people. Tere's passion for new music and her need to share it allow this plot development to flow somewhat naturally. Unfortunately I just don't see how a high school girl, even with a step-father who owns a radio station, would end up hosting her own show. The circumstances allow the chips to fall in Tere's favour but you need to make the leap with her. What I really enjoyed about this story was that Tere's success as Sweet T did improve her ability to relate to others but it was the support of a few select people that had a larger role in this growth. She slowly transcends out of crippling shyness at a realistic pace, though the finale circumstances did diminish this evolution to a degree.

As a podcaster, I can attest to that great rush you feel when someone likes you for your voice and opinions. It's very similar to getting great feedback on a special post in your blog. Recognition and approval is something we all strive for in life. Tere may have found an avenue to get it from society but her mother's is a tougher fish to fry. I found their interactions to be the most compelling element of the story, it struck very close to home for me. Though the consistent use of light humour allowed the book to not become bogged down by heavier subject matter.

I really enjoyed Danielle Joseph's take on shyness, difficult mothers, body image, group assignments and feeling confident. Shrinking Violet is sure to entertain and promote some thought about how you choose to relate with others. Thumbs up.
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Jul 28, 2012 Milka Bago rated it 4 of 5 stars

To read more of my book reviews visit, Crawling Over The Pages.

shrinking violet - someone who shrinks from familiarity with others-shy person
-coward - a person who shows fear or timidity
-wallflower - remains on sidelines at social event

The book shows the life of Teresa Adams, an introvert teenager who is always afraid to speak her mind, as she slowly metamorphosized and gained confidence through the help of her friend, Galvin and her The SLAM FM radio station family.

TERESA ADAMS. She is a very s...more To read more of my book reviews visit, Crawling Over The Pages.

shrinking violet - someone who shrinks from familiarity with others-shy person
-coward - a person who shows fear or timidity
-wallflower - remains on sidelines at social event

The book shows the life of Teresa Adams, an introvert teenager who is always afraid to speak her mind, as she slowly metamorphosized and gained confidence through the help of her friend, Galvin and her The SLAM FM radio station family.

TERESA ADAMS. She is a very shy person and every time she wants to speak, it's as if her mouth is full of peanut butter which makes her tongue retreat back to where it belongs. She has a passion for music and she wants to become a DJ. Actually, she has been a DJ for so long inside the solitude of her room. Upon hearing the resignation of a DJ, she quickly volunteers to help seeing this as an opportunity to hone her talent as a DJ. With the help of her friends (Jason, Audrey, Pop Tart) she quickly learned the ropes and instantly became a hit. In a few weeks time, Sweet T became the new sensation in the radio waves.

JASON & DEREK. I like Jason. He is the friend who encourages Tere to be confident and to be just herself when speaking on-air. Derek ,on the other hand is an asshole but eh can also be good. He was the one who came up with the promo where the songwriter with the best song will be given the chance to meet and escort Sweet T to her prom - complete with limousine and live coverage and an airtime for his song.

GAVIN. He is Tere's classmate in two of her classes. He was some kind of a goth to others because he always uses black clothes plus he grows his hair longer than is customary. I like him though because he's not judgmental. He made Tere believed in herself.

DELILAH. Oh well, so much for monster mothers. I guess I cannot blame her for being the person she is. It might be an after effect of her childhood. I hated her at first but then she's making an effort to change so who am I to judge her?

I like the DJ-ish introductions at the end of each chapter. It gave hints of what's supposed to happen next. I might check out the songs and bands mentioned in this book later on. I must also applaud the author for making no such rush in transforming Tere's character. It's always a step-by-step process.

Overall, I like the story though it's a bit predictable. I expected a little conflict towards the end. I figured out that Gavin already knew her secret even before it was revealed. Anyway, it's refreshing and it's a quick read. If you want a breather, then this will do.(less)

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May 31, 2009 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just finished Danielle Joseph's SHRINKING VIOLET, and this is the kind of book teens love for its authentic voice and realistic portrayal of what it's like to be graduating from high school. Tere Adams is a super-shy senior who loves music and has dreams of being a radio DJ. Her inner strength is tested when her mom's boyfriend provides an "in" to the local hit station at the same time a dreaded group presentation at school forces her out of her shell there. As someone who worked in radio right...more

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Sep 09, 2011 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: could-be-real-life, romance, young-adult, chick-lit, music, high-school, read-in-2011

Teresa Adams is painfully shy. Most people assume that there is something wrong with her because she can speak yet she won't. Tere and her mother have never seen eye to eye. All her mother wanted was a pretty and popular daughter, instead she got Tere. But now Tere has her new step-father Rob to help her.

Rob is the owner of SLAM, Miami's hottest FM radio station. When a slot opens up at SLAM, Tere takes her chance and begins co-hosting the show under the name Sweet-T.

Tere thrives at SLAM, but...more

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Mar 15, 2013 Sameena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Now, I would give this book maybe 3.5 stars out of 5.
There were times when I thought that I would definitely give it 5 stars, but other parts that I thought I would give it 1 star, before I finally settled on giving it 3.5.
The overall plot I thought was pretty creative and it didn't seem unoriginal at all. The characters though, showed almost no character development and that really bugged me. Also, the ending was super predictable, and I almost wished for the happy ending not to come, just to m...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Wafiyah rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone up for a HEA

Recommended to Wafiyah by: No one

Shelves: anticlimactic, contemporary-romance, family, great-protagonist, romance

You know that feeling you get when you're delving into the contents of a book, and then you just back away for a moment, thinking, "Maybe I won't like it so much after all?" Well, that's how I felt at first with this. I didn't trust the novel to turn out as good as it did, later. Everyone seemed so shallow and the story was kind of depressing, with bits of satire just added to lift the mood. But I was determined to finish another book from my haul, so I continued reading, and eventually it did g...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Chucha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bullies-abuse, star-struck, shy-girls, clean-ya

Shrinking Violet had me just looking at the book cover – as the old adage goes: do not judge the book by its cover. But trust me, the story is just as good as its façade.

Why?

There are the characters. Teresa Adams or Tere is painfully shy. Of course, we have encountered such people in high school (or even in the universities). Her shyness is almost weird and people in her class or in school would just assume that either she’s mute or won’t speak at all. The only time she’s practicing her speech...more Shrinking Violet had me just looking at the book cover – as the old adage goes: do not judge the book by its cover. But trust me, the story is just as good as its façade.

Why?

There are the characters. Teresa Adams or Tere is painfully shy. Of course, we have encountered such people in high school (or even in the universities). Her shyness is almost weird and people in her class or in school would just assume that either she’s mute or won’t speak at all. The only time she’s practicing her speech skills is inside the comforts of her room – alone, playing-DJ to the music in her Ipod playlist. She has the knack and passion for music. She’s one of those characters who deserved a happy ending.

Her mother – is really overbearing. I really hated her in the beginning because: aren’t moms supposed to love their child despite of anything? I wanted her to support whatever Tere wanted, but she doesn’t seem to believe in Tere’s capability. However, in the end, she redeemed herself (although people really can’t change 180 in a blink of an eye) – which makes her mom seems to be more real.

Her stepdad, whom I adore. Although I really didn’t appreciate the entire PDA in the midst of children (anyone below 18). Nevertheless, he believed in Tere compared to her mom and gave her the opportunity to finally make her dreams come true. He owns the radio station where he let Tere worked as a DJ.

There’s Gavin who’s also an interesting character with his Goth look and penchant for music.

The Plot. I love how the characters developed, especially Tere. How her character actually bloomed and changed all throughout the book. Her change didn’t happen in a day, which I really appreciated. It was a step-by-step process which finally culminated on prom night. Although the plot was predictable (which is why I have given it a 4 instead of 5), still it the story was still pretty amazing. Tere and Gavin’s relationship was nicely written – it ended as what I have expected but it didn’t really matter because their story was not rushed, and gradually fell in to place.

For a first novel, Danielle Joseph made an amazing sweet and short read. Shrinking Violet may have a predictable plot – but the words, the scenes, the characters will keep you on the hook. The author makes sure that everything is flawlessly real and the readers can very much relate to. The gradual transformation of Tere from someone who’s really shy to a lady with confidence is really heartwarming.
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Jun 27, 2010 Kerry Cerra rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

How many of us have super cool dreams but one gianormous fear that prevents us from making that dream come true? I’m going to bet a lot. High School senior, Tere Adams, is just like the rest of us. Painfully shy, Tere longs to be a DJ at Miami’s hottest radio station, SLAM. When a DJ slot suddenly opens up, she wills herself to tell stepdad, Rob,—who just happens to run the station—that she wants the job. As SLAM’s newest intern, Tere takes on the radio alias Sweet T and is not only introducing...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Kelsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Overall, I liked this story. It was sweet, it wasn't cliched, and it didn't preach.

However, there were some things I didn't like about it. They are all rather petty and shouldn't have distracted me from the story as much as they did, but nonetheless, when they all added up, I gave this book three stars.

Firstly, I wasn't sure how to pronounce "Tere." Was it like Terry, or Teer, or Tiri, or what?

Secondly, it kind of bugged me that Teresa was so painfully shy around her peers, people who were namel...more

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Jun 23, 2009 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I think this review will be a short one because I love the book and only had one minor problem with it. Teresa is a very shy girl and I can often relate to her feelings. However Tere often listens to the radio and ‘broadcasts’ in her room. When she is given the opportunity to be a intern at the radio station, after much coaxing from her one and only friend, Audrey, she signs up. She gains confidence over time and people start calling in asking about her. I love reading books in which the main ch...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I was growing up I was a huge fan of the film Pump Up The Volume. If you are not familiar with this Christian Slater masterpiece, he is a shy guy who comes alive on his pirate radio station which causes havoc and rebellion amongst his peers. So when I was perusing the YA US import shelves at the bookstore across the road from my flat and read the back of this one, there was no question I was going to buy it. When I got home, before I had even properly taken my coat off, I was eagerly starti...more When I was growing up I was a huge fan of the film Pump Up The Volume. If you are not familiar with this Christian Slater masterpiece, he is a shy guy who comes alive on his pirate radio station which causes havoc and rebellion amongst his peers. So when I was perusing the YA US import shelves at the bookstore across the road from my flat and read the back of this one, there was no question I was going to buy it. When I got home, before I had even properly taken my coat off, I was eagerly starting the book.

Teresa, or Tere as everyone knows her, Adams is shy. She is not just nervous in front of people but is scared every day that someone will as her a question as when she has to talk to someone it feels like there is a lump of peanut butter jamming her throat. The only time she is ever relaxed and herself is when she is alone in her room pretending to be a DJ for one of the programmes on her stepfather's radio station.

When one of the DJ's quits leaving an opening at the station, an unpredicted outburst from Tere has her helping out as an intern after school. A series of events culminates in Tere becoming her on air persona, Sweet T, and becoming the prize in a competition, win a prom date with Sweet T.

I loved the character of Tere. I thought she was sweet and funny. I could see that her shyness was not just something she had to get over it was actually a real problem for her. I thought she was a well written character and I actually felt myself being nervous for her at some points. I also really liked Tere's mother and stepfather. I thought they made a good pair even if Tere's mother pushes the mothering too far.

I have to say that I loved this story from beginning to end. My only tiny gripe with it would be that Tere does begin to stand up for herself a little towards the end. I wonder why does she find her voice now? How quickly standing up for herself turns from a crippling fear to something she can do when needed. Either way I felt happy at the end of the book and wonder why I never considered a career as a DJ!

Rating: 4 / 5 (less)

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Oct 13, 2009 Jenna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, read-in-2009

This book is fantastic! I loved Tere. I really related to her and wanted to help her bust out of her shell. She did a pretty good job on her own. I liked how she used Sweet T to overcome her fear of talking to people.

The radio station setting was fun and different. I liked all of the bands that Tere talked about and found myself wishing they were real so I could make a playlist of them. :) The English project was really fun to read about too. The secondary characters were interesting. I liked Po...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Helen rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 25, 2011 Erica Cameron rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, youngadult

“Might as well admit it—I’m shy. Not the kind where you blush when someone compliments you, but the kind that results in feelings of nausea when meeting new people. When I was little, I thought I was Shy Adams. People would ask my name, and my mother would immediately answer for me, “She’s shy.” She even did it three weeks ago when we met up with some of the radio people at a restaurant.”

Feeling uncomfortable in front of strangers is a feeling I know well, but not even I am paralyzed at the thou...more “Might as well admit it—I’m shy. Not the kind where you blush when someone compliments you, but the kind that results in feelings of nausea when meeting new people. When I was little, I thought I was Shy Adams. People would ask my name, and my mother would immediately answer for me, “She’s shy.” She even did it three weeks ago when we met up with some of the radio people at a restaurant.”

Feeling uncomfortable in front of strangers is a feeling I know well, but not even I am paralyzed at the thought of speaking out loud. Teresa (who most people call Tere) Adams’ is. She has one friend but might as well be invisible to the rest of the school. But her silence hides a voice stronger than anyone would suspect and a dream of one day becoming a radio DJ and sharing her love of music with the world. Or at least South Florida. It’s a dream that suddenly looks closer to reality than ever before when one of the DJs at her step-father’s radio station quits. After a fight with her extremely confident, appearance-obsessed mother, Tere surprises even herself by voicing this dream aloud and asking Rob for a chance to host the now vacant show. She starts out helping at the station, interning and observing the afternoon DJ, but eventually she gets a lucky break and is allowed to co-host the evening show. On air, Tere becomes Sweet T, the confident girl with the sexy voice who couldn’t possibly be shy, silent Tere Adams and she makes sure it stays this way by swearing everyone at the station to silence on her identity. Which is why everything at school continues mostly as normal. The one exception is Gavin, Tere’s new crush who just happens to be one of her partners on a project that combines two of her worst nightmares: working in a group and a presentation in front of the class. A long presentation. Gavin is astonishingly understanding, heartbreakingly cute, and a music buff so falling for him is not a shock, but how easy Tere finds it to talk to him is. Entire sentences are uttered in his presence, even after Tere finds out that Gavin listens to her radio show. It’s only when the afternoon DJ comes up with the brilliant idea of auctioning off Sweet T as a prom date to the winner of a songwriting contest that things begin to unravel. Can Tere survive the revelation of her identity? Will she be paralyzed on stage in front of her entire school when she meets the contest winner in person? What if the guy hates her? What if he doesn’t? Should she tell Gavin the truth?

Shrinking Violet was adorable in so many ways. I rooted for Tere every step of the way and the way she talked about the bands she loved made me wish they actually existed so I could look them up. You don’t have to know anything about music to appreciate this story, though. Tere’s struggle to overcome her own shortcomings can translate into anyone’s life. The rest of the characters too—love ‘em or hate ‘em—are unique and well written. Her mother, for example, makes me extraordinarily grateful that my mother is nothing like Tere’s. Their relationship if fraught with difficulties and arguments, mostly from the fact that they exist on completely separate wavelengths. Like Tere herself, though, their relationship grows and changes from beginning to end.

Well written, engaging, and littered with random bursts of incredibly poetic prose, I really enjoyed Shrinking Violet and highly recommend it.(less)

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Nov 20, 2010 Nanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just finished this book last night. It was a very easy to read book and not that very long. I like the plot and idea. Tere is a senior who is really, painfully-to-watch shy. She ends up working at her stepdad's radio station because she loves and breathes music(something I can definitely relate to). The radio loves her and she instantly becomes very popular, all while maintaining her identity a secret. Then she realizes that her crush actually listens to her radio persona, Sweet T, every night...more

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May 01, 2012 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: grungy, lovey-dovey, teenage-dreams

It was definitely a nice read, perfect for a lazy afternoon. Not really anything special or mind blowing but at least half-way decent.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Tere Adams is an extremely shy person, her shyness is somewhat a disease for her, making her incapable of speaking in the presence of people she doesn't know. But she dreams of being on the radio, making mock transmissions from her bedroom as Sweet T, a sultry and confident mystery woman. When her step-father Rob, which is the owner of Seattle's numb...more

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Aug 31, 2010 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars

First off I did like this book and it had the makings to be really great but for me it just fell a little short.

Teresa Adams the lead is a shy girl with a big dream to be the top DJ on her favorite FM radio station.Her new stepfather just happens to own that station.Starting off Teresa has some grate moments.Starting to like a guy at school who likes some of the same music as she dose standing up to her mother in a fleeting moment of courage.Sure we all new this was going to happen at some poin...more

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Feb 28, 2010 Ashley marked it as to-read

This book is amazing, Teresa is a shy girl who has a profound love for music, she is quiet but her passion for music is strong, her dream is to become a Dj at slam, a radio station. She really wants people to know that she isnt the lonely, shy, anti-social girl, but that insde there this amazing, smart, spunky girl who loves music, and wants to get others excited about new music and artist too. This story is touching, the main character teresa, deals with issues with her mom, who strived to make...more

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Sep 03, 2009 Aerin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, young-adult

First line: You're listening to Sweet T on 92.7 WEMD SLAM-FM.

Teresa Adams, high school senior, dreams of being a deejay on her stepfather's hot Miami radio station. The problem is that she can hardly speak a word in school, she's so shy. Making eye contact, answering teachers' questions, and not to mention a nitpicking mom who thinks she's still a teenager herself - these are all the daily trials that plague Tere. An unexpected mishap lands Tere her dream. She's transformed into Sweet T, the fre...more

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About Danielle Joseph

I'm the author of SHRINKING VIOLET from MTV/Pocket Books and INDIGO BLUES and PURE RED from Flux Books. SHRINKING VIOLET will be debuting as the movie RADIO REBEL on the Disney Channel in early 2012! When I'm not writing, I'm either listening to music, eating chocolate or swimming--sometimes all at once!

For more info visit my website at: www.daniellejoseph.com

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“Helen Sustained many falls throughout her life. But as you can see, she steps right up and keeps on going. Falling to her is as natural as sneezing to us” — 5 people liked it

“Cake is for the weak,” Mom always says. Funny, I thought it was for birthdays.” — 5 people liked it

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