The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is about a Los Angeles girl named Michelle Pena, who's a westside foster child, and a straight A student...
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Mar 03, 2011
Sarah
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 26, 2010
Liza
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This title has been on the BFYA nomination list (2011) for the better part of a year. I have tried to sell this book to the teens in our BFYA group...to no avail.
I could coat this book in gold and chocolate and I still wouldn't be able to convince a teen to take it home.
In an end-of-the-year attempt to read all the books on the list that haven't yet been read by adults, another library employee and I split the remaining books in half. I voluntarily opted to take this bo More...
I could coat this book in gold and chocolate and I still wouldn't be able to convince a teen to take it home.
In an end-of-the-year attempt to read all the books on the list that haven't yet been read by adults, another library employee and I split the remaining books in half. I voluntarily opted to take this bo More...
Jun 03, 2010
Kat
rated it: 
This is a story about a gang princess and the choices that she has to make. Its a little different than other books out there that have similar outlines (love, power, family that is dead/in jail) and but its also similar because of those things too. She has to decide whether she wants to be with her love and rule the gang or go to prep school with her best friend Kiki and stay with Frank her foster dad. I thought it was a good story.
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Dec 09, 2009
Peace Love
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In all honesty, I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book. All the ghetto talk, slang words scared me a little and the whole gang scene was so Discover / History channel but as I flip through the pages it was a really interesting read.
Michelle Pena was also known as Princess P (from the gang that she was born in back in Montebello), she tried to get away from them, for 2 years she was successful until her past finally catches up with her. She was doing so good. Got a More...
Michelle Pena was also known as Princess P (from the gang that she was born in back in Montebello), she tried to get away from them, for 2 years she was successful until her past finally catches up with her. She was doing so good. Got a More...
Dec 27, 2009
Hi everyone, this is Yxta Maya Murray!
I'm loving reading these wonderful reviews of THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO GETTING KIDNAPPED, thank you so much for posting them! People seem to be mentioning the end in most of the reviews -- is it that mysterious? Michelle is doing something very specific at the end of the book; I will send a signed copy of the novel and a little painting (a hobby of mine) to the first person who writes me a cool interpretion of the ending. Email me at yxta.murray@lls More...
I'm loving reading these wonderful reviews of THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO GETTING KIDNAPPED, thank you so much for posting them! People seem to be mentioning the end in most of the reviews -- is it that mysterious? Michelle is doing something very specific at the end of the book; I will send a signed copy of the novel and a little painting (a hobby of mine) to the first person who writes me a cool interpretion of the ending. Email me at yxta.murray@lls More...
May 07, 2010
Alicia
rated it:
Michelle used to be known as Princess P, the daughter of a gang king and queen, destined to lead the Snake Brothers one day. But her father is dead, her mother's in jail, and she has started a new life as a track star and successful student. Until some of the boyz find her and kidnap her and her best friend, Kiki, as leverage. Now she must choose between the good girl she wants to be, and the bad girl she was born to be.
I had trust issues with this book, and it was probably just m More...
I had trust issues with this book, and it was probably just m More...
Feb 15, 2010
Brendan
rated it:
This book has one of the coolest covers ever. And the first half of the book is a gripping, page-turning adventure story. It's also a really clever twist on the "regular girl is really a princess" story.
Unfortunately, I just never believed in the main character. She shifts between academic decathlon/track star and gang princess too seamlessly to be completely credible. I just didn't believe in her as a real person.
As other readers have said, the ending feels More...
Unfortunately, I just never believed in the main character. She shifts between academic decathlon/track star and gang princess too seamlessly to be completely credible. I just didn't believe in her as a real person.
As other readers have said, the ending feels More...
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Jun 05, 2010
Heather
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The cartoonish cover doesn't really go with the story inside. Teen readers were much more drawn in to the cover on Locas by the same author. It does however, reflect the story in which Michelle Pena has hidden her true past as the daughter of a notorious gang leader, Reina Pena. Michelle discovers that she cannot escape her past when she is kidnapped to be used against her mother and brother. Michelle must become the gang princess she didn't want to be in order to save herself and her best f
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May 07, 2010
Julia
rated it: 
Take a latino gang princess (her mom is the Queen, still in charge of the gang from prison) away from her gang ties, put her in a good foster home and give her a shot at a great education - what do you get? Well, "who do you get?" is really more the question at the crux of this gritty novel.
I was totally hooked by the main character Michelle. She, and a friend from her new school, are kidnapped by her former gang "family." Michelle has to find a way to save h More...
I was totally hooked by the main character Michelle. She, and a friend from her new school, are kidnapped by her former gang "family." Michelle has to find a way to save h More...
Jul 11, 2010
Viviam
rated it:
Michelle Pena is the princess to a gang. After her brother and mother get busted and end up in jail she turns her back on the world of crime and to be the best she can be. Everything she wants is happening, that is until she and her best friend Kiki are kidnapped. Former members of her gang take her as ransom, so her brother will tell them where the drug money is from he night he got caught. Now she has to use her wit and gang savvy to get her and Kiki out before they get killed.
I didn't r More...
I didn't r More...
Dec 31, 2010
Ari
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I'm torn over how I feel about the language in this book. On the one hand I appreciated all the slang because the entire book isn't in slang, it's understandable and lends an air of authenticity to the book. On the other hand, some of it is so laughably out-there. No offense to anyone who speaks that way but some of the phrases just seemed to be ridiculous (I wish I had examples but I already returned the book). I wish I knew if the language was authentic. I know Chicago slang can be a whole lot
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Mar 07, 2010
Lisa (A Life Bound By Books)
rated it:
3 1/2 stars. The main character, Michelle Pena or Princess P was born into a gang family - her mother head of the 99's & her brother head of the Snakes.
In her early teen years both mother and brother were jailed for various gang actives, leaving Michelle to feel she had to fend for herself upon entering the Foster Care system. Moving from home to home - finding out that there is more to life then gangs, Michelle turns to school and running with the track team.
While her an More...
In her early teen years both mother and brother were jailed for various gang actives, leaving Michelle to feel she had to fend for herself upon entering the Foster Care system. Moving from home to home - finding out that there is more to life then gangs, Michelle turns to school and running with the track team.
While her an More...
Mar 24, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
I took the summary from Amazon because the summary from Goodreads was way too comprehensive and practically gave everything away.
Anyway, the plot itself is filled with excitement, action and suspense. I loved how Mish or "Princess P" was able to revert back to her old self just to save her best friend, Kiki. She basically burdened herself and took it upon herself to save her friend who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation and who just happened to be at the wrong More...
Anyway, the plot itself is filled with excitement, action and suspense. I loved how Mish or "Princess P" was able to revert back to her old self just to save her best friend, Kiki. She basically burdened herself and took it upon herself to save her friend who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation and who just happened to be at the wrong More...
Jan 26, 2010
Katie
rated it:
I have to say that The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is unlike anything I have read before. That is both parts good and bad. It's a very unique story and well-written but I'm kind of mixed in my feelings for it.
The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is the story of Michelle Pena, former gang princess of Montebello. Her life seems to be looking up until she and her best friend, Kiki, are kidnapped and held for ransom. Things get real crazy, real quick and Michelle has to More...
The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is the story of Michelle Pena, former gang princess of Montebello. Her life seems to be looking up until she and her best friend, Kiki, are kidnapped and held for ransom. Things get real crazy, real quick and Michelle has to More...
Jan 09, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by JenJen for TeensReadToo.com
Michelle has finally got her life on track and has a wonderful opportunity to get into a nice private school. She gets awesome grades and is even a great athlete. She has a terrific foster father and a super-duper best friend, Kiki - but she also has a past that refuses to let her go.
I loved this book, which is a pleasant surprise because I didn't think I would! Ms. Murray really has done a great job with the language and settings fo More...
Michelle has finally got her life on track and has a wonderful opportunity to get into a nice private school. She gets awesome grades and is even a great athlete. She has a terrific foster father and a super-duper best friend, Kiki - but she also has a past that refuses to let her go.
I loved this book, which is a pleasant surprise because I didn't think I would! Ms. Murray really has done a great job with the language and settings fo More...
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Oct 12, 2010
Maggie
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I wish there was a little more closure at the end of the book. However, I appreciated Michelle's dilemma and loved how strong and resourceful she is. Not as good as I was expecting (a friend recommended it), but still a good book (which is why the three more stars)
Dec 06, 2009
Paula
rated it:
A fresher take for teen urban fiction. It is well written and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it has a non-ending. I'm not sure if Murray is hoping for a franchise and this book is the first of it, but I was certainly disappointed with the way she left this book.
Apr 15, 2011
Hannah
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I actually really liked this book and the reason I said actually is because I really didn't have high expectations for this book. It was about a girl named Michelle Pena, and she was born as the heir to a famously dangerous gang. Her mother is the Queen of their crew and Michelle would one day be honored with the responsibilities of being a Queen herself, but then Michelle's mother and older brother, King, were arrested. She refused to be the Queen and left the love of her life, Silver.
Oka More...
Oka More...
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Jun 24, 2010
Sabrina
rated it:
REALLY GOOD!!!! i really enjoyed how they showed how girls can be tough! two thumbs up!!! =D =D 'star' 'star'
May 10, 2010
Ifahh
rated it:
It's such a refreshing read because it's written very... differently. I loved it; it kept my adrenaline pumping.
Mar 29, 2010
Anila
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Maybe it's because southern California is really not somewhere I'd ever want to be. Or maybe it's because the whole thing would have been so much more realistic if Michelle had been a few years older. Or maybe it's because the slang was truly bizarre. For whatever reason, this book grated on me. I only finished it for the sake of doing a galley review, and I wouldn't reccomend it to most people. But it wasn't a total disaster- hence the two stars instead of one.
Nov 22, 2011
Sue
rated it:
Michelle is fast, really fast, all American high school fast. She has a foster father who is taking good care of her. Michelle and her best friend Kiki both have a real shot at getting into a very fancy private school on full scholarships. But her past is going to interrupt those plans. She’s also Princess M, next in line to lead The Snakes. She has to decide what world she will live in.
Apr 28, 2010
Sharon
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This book took me by surprise, I honestly wasn't sure if I would like it. Turns out, I loved it.
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