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50th out of 65 books
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When You Wish
“A feel-good story . . . we all deserve great reads like this!”—BostonNow.com
Star Beck is super-duper megastar famous. She rocks—literally—every night in concert for thousands of cheering fans. But the pop star life—tour buses, fauxmances, size 0 minis—is getting a little old. Star can’t help wondering what it would be like to be a regular girl—without paparazzi trailing ...more
Star Beck is super-duper megastar famous. She rocks—literally—every night in concert for thousands of cheering fans. But the pop star life—tour buses, fauxmances, size 0 minis—is getting a little old. Star can’t help wondering what it would be like to be a regular girl—without paparazzi trailing ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published
June 9th 2009
by Laurel Leaf
(first published February 12th 2008)
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This book was ... okay. It's written from the point of view of 16 year old Star Beck, an insanely popular famous pop singer, like Brittney Spears or whoever the one now is. Kelly Clarkson? It's about how the pop star's life is far from perfect - her mother controlling what she wears and eats, fake relationship with famous pop king as a publicity stunt, everyone just trying to get her money, everything that happens in her life being taped by the media, people spreading rumors that she's in rehab ...more
I love YA books I read in a day! And for some reason, I am really enjoying this author lately. And this book was no expectation. The lead character reminded me of a Hannah Montana type to start, but ended up being different. 16 year old Girl is a famous singer and her mom like forces her to do stuff and she doesn't want to sing anymore, she just wants to find her dad and be normal. Her mom screws her over one final time and she finds out that her dad has been writing to her, so she sneaks out of...more
FANTASTIC... even though it was predictable, I still changed my predictions at least twice... I also really liked how Nick wasn't accepting and welcoming to her secrets. In most books the guy is prefect and accepting and never screws up or takes a step back or anything. I really like that this time he was human and not some ultra-understanding rock that she can stand on... it makes the book so much better... It was also REALLY smooth... It took me a total of about two hours to read it all the wa...more
When You Wish by Kristin Harmel tells the story of Star Beck, a 16 year old pop star. Star is gorgeous, talented and extremely famous. She has it all, or does she?
Even though Star appreciates her lavish lifestyle, she longs to be normal. Her relationship with her mother is rocky and her father abandoned her when she was very young.
After her mother stages another publicity stunt, Star has had enough. She chops off her hair, dyes it, puts on glasses and a baseball cap and grabs...more
Even though Star appreciates her lavish lifestyle, she longs to be normal. Her relationship with her mother is rocky and her father abandoned her when she was very young.
After her mother stages another publicity stunt, Star has had enough. She chops off her hair, dyes it, puts on glasses and a baseball cap and grabs...more
How many books have I read that had this topic? Too many to count, that's for sure. I'd really just tell you not to read this, not because I hated it, but because there's nothing really special to it if you've already read another book similar to this. The only difference would be that the pop star here wants to look for her father, and as cliches would go, he turns out to be a gold-digger. And Star actually reveals her secret identity instead of it getting exposed by the media or her arch-nemes...more
The basic plot is a young pop star who decides she wants away from the limelight. Star Beck's popular lifestyle is described well in the first portion of the book - we learn about her mom's strict eating rules, her tight schedule, and how she doesn't go to school anymore because she graduated 2 years earlier than normal. We also learn about her fake boyfriend relationship that is only for the cameras and newspapers. After running away, we follow our character through many issues she did not have...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Star Beck is a super star, she has millions of fans surrounding around her. She enjoys singing and performing on stage in a concert with thousand of fans. But being a super star means you have no freedom, pararazzi trailing her every move,she can't do what others do. She always keep an eye on things around her. She got nervous and frustrated, this is when she decided to find out what life really is beyond her stage. Well, life is never easy without pararazzi also. It's always hard to be accpeted...more
Kristin Harmel is a new to me author though I have acquired several of her titles that are languishing on my TBR pile. Though I don’t normally find myself drawn to the young adult genre, this book appealed to me on several levels. First, the idea of a teen superstar who is likeable when all we ever hear about is the scandal and drama of the teen celebrities inundating the media nowadays is a refreshing and welcome change. Secondly, I liked that the story was clean. I don’t think the young adult ...more
Harmel, Kristin. 2008. When You Wish.
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Typically books written about teens who have it all--money, popularity, good looks, etc--don't do much for me. And on the surface, this book is about that. About a teen girl who supposedly "has it all."
Star Beck. A sixteen year old pop star who already has more than a few bestselling, record-breaking albums to her name. A beautiful long-haired, red-haired princess of pop. But S...more
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Typically books written about teens who have it all--money, popularity, good looks, etc--don't do much for me. And on the surface, this book is about that. About a teen girl who supposedly "has it all."
Star Beck. A sixteen year old pop star who already has more than a few bestselling, record-breaking albums to her name. A beautiful long-haired, red-haired princess of pop. But S...more
16-year-old popster Star Beck is a household name throughout most of America. She sings, she dances, she acts. She’s also not living nearly the carefree life her fans would believe: she hasn’t had a hamburger since she was twelve , her romance with the hottest teen boy pop star is all a publicity sham, and she has no time to herself – ever. Star’s dad left when she was three, and he’s never bothered to keep in touch. Her mom keeps busy shopping, getting manicures and enjoying the other bene...more
Reviewed by Chelsea Swiggett for TeensReadToo.com
Most people have the preconceived notion that celebrities have it easy. If you think that, you should go out and get a copy of this book.
Star Beck is famous. She's worshiped by millions of fans, gets an extremely high paycheck, and lives in five-star hotels. But a lot of people seem to think that her life is luxurious, and that she doesn't have a care in the world. While Star's life may have its benefits, it's certainly no...more
Most people have the preconceived notion that celebrities have it easy. If you think that, you should go out and get a copy of this book.
Star Beck is famous. She's worshiped by millions of fans, gets an extremely high paycheck, and lives in five-star hotels. But a lot of people seem to think that her life is luxurious, and that she doesn't have a care in the world. While Star's life may have its benefits, it's certainly no...more
When You Wish, by Kristin Harmel is the story of a famous muisician named Starr who figures out her long lost dad has been in contact with her, her whole life. So, in reaction to this, star goes and buys a pink bug and drives from California to Florida, with out her mother noticing. When she gets to Florida she realizes that real life is a way lot harder then she thought it would be. Finally, she goes to the music store and sees her dad, but at first, he doesn't recognize her. This book was rea...more
typical story of a famous girl who has no control over her life. her mother completely makes all of her decisions for her. When Star finds out that her dad didn't leave Star and her mom when she was little, she sets out on finding her dad and reconnecting. Star goes to Florida trying to figure a way to introduce herself to her dad while trying to hide who she really is. In the process she gets a normal job, karaokes, and meets a really cool guy. This totally could be a teen movie of the week.
Harmel tackles the YA genre with this story of a teenage rock star who goes off to find her long-lost father and a normal life. While a fun and light read, the book suffers from some of the pitfalls of both the YA and chick-lit genres. The character development is shallow and the plotting seems rushed. I would have loved to had read this same story in a longer form. But still, a quick fun read.
Kristin's YA novel really hit home for me. I've always dreamt of being a superstar one day, and, in a way, WHEN YOU WISH let me live out that dream.
Of course, it wasn't such an easy or pleasant ride for Star Beck, but still, it was fun, real, and very, very cute! = )
It's perfect for the girl who one day dreams of being famous! I'm definitely going to check out more of this author's books!
Of course, it wasn't such an easy or pleasant ride for Star Beck, but still, it was fun, real, and very, very cute! = )
It's perfect for the girl who one day dreams of being famous! I'm definitely going to check out more of this author's books!
This book seemed very familiar, which makes me think maybe I started it once and never finished it. Well, I finished it this time and enjoyed it. It's fun to imagine a famous pop star running away and trying to become normal.
And - there is a happy ending with a feeling of justice, which is an added bonus. Oh yes - and a pink VW bug from the 60s. Can't get better than that ;).
And - there is a happy ending with a feeling of justice, which is an added bonus. Oh yes - and a pink VW bug from the 60s. Can't get better than that ;).
What i learned from this book is that , never let people crash on your dreams , everyone has a selfish side , and if you know someone who is like that you have to accept them from who they are . you cant just run away from reality , you have to face everything as it is and try and get thru it and maybe you'll find your way out .
It's been done before- the childhood star's perfect life isn't so perfect, she runs away and...
Well, this take was fresh, and in the age of Miley/Hannah, almost believable. Hate the cover- I think it's why this isn't moving off our shelves. Cute story, bit of romance, a nice lesson of "the grass isn't always greener"
Well, this take was fresh, and in the age of Miley/Hannah, almost believable. Hate the cover- I think it's why this isn't moving off our shelves. Cute story, bit of romance, a nice lesson of "the grass isn't always greener"
One of the more satisfying YA books I've read lately, if only because it's pure fantasy - rich teen pop star goes in search of family and finds normalcy. Even if it was too rushed and I'm disappointed in how the family situation wound up.
this author is so awesome! she came and visited our class last year! she is realy nice! this book is great! plus! its set in florida! so all of us florida natives feel a natural connection to it anyway.
I liked this book. This book shows how a super star can have many problems and how hard a normal life can be hard.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Avoided cliches.
Might go look for this woman's adult books.
Might go look for this woman's adult books.
Rock star looking for a "real" life.
When you Wish is one of those poor-little-rock-star books. Star Beck, overproduced and manipulation by her Momager, runs away to find the dad her mother kept from her.
She's funny, she's interesting, and I honestly didn't think that everything would work out in the end...hmm.
She's funny, she's interesting, and I honestly didn't think that everything would work out in the end...hmm.
Cute story about a Miley/Lindsay/Britney-like teen singer who escapes from her famous life to find the father who abandoned her as a child. Sweet, with a warm and fuzzy, neatly-wrapped ending; but Star is savvy and unspoiled in spite of her fame, and you can't help but root for her.
I've enjoyed all the books Kristin Harmel has written. This was not my favorite, but I did enjoy it. It was a quick and easy read, and I found myself engrossed in the characters and wanting to know what happens to them.
Predictable but cute.
Super light and fluffy story of a teen pop princess who runs away from "the good life" to find the father that walked out on her when she was three.
Predictiable, sweet and fun.
Predictiable, sweet and fun.
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