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Live From Brentwood High #1
Risky Assignment
Book 1 in the Live! From Brentwood High series. Darby and her high school broadcast crew find themselves in the middle of a dramatic medical emergency on their first assignment.
- GenresChristianYoung Adult
158 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
About the author
Judy Baer
106 books127 followersaka Judy Kaye
Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, USA. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head. Her most ambitious conjuring did not succeed, however. She kept a clean stall with hay and oats for the horse she imagined would come but unfortunately, it never did. As an adult, however, she managed to make that dream come true and raised foundation quarter horses and buffalo for some years. A voracious reader, Judy learned to read with comic books, anything from Little Lulu and Superman to the Rawhide Kid. She sold her first story for $10.00 to a farm magazine. She still has the $10.00.
She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota with a major in English and education and a minor in religion. At the time, she was simply studying what interested her, but now realizes that she was educating herself for her future career as an inspirational christian romance writer.
Judy wanted to write for Harlequin even in high school but it wasn't until her youngest child learned to say "No" that she realized that she'd better consider a second career to fall back on when mothering was done. Her first book was written with her little girl on her lap. Judy would type a few words, say "Now, Jennifer," at which time her daughter would hit the space bar before Judy continued typing. It wasn't the fastest way to work, but it offered a lot of mother-daughter time together. An over-achiever, she's written 71 books for various publishers. The mother of two and step-mother of three, she now has lots of family to enjoy.
In 2001, she went back to school and became a certified professional life coach. Currently she is working on her Master's in Human Development in the areas of writing, coaching and spirituality and writing inspirational Chick Lit which, she says, is the most fun she's ever had writing.
Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, USA. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head. Her most ambitious conjuring did not succeed, however. She kept a clean stall with hay and oats for the horse she imagined would come but unfortunately, it never did. As an adult, however, she managed to make that dream come true and raised foundation quarter horses and buffalo for some years. A voracious reader, Judy learned to read with comic books, anything from Little Lulu and Superman to the Rawhide Kid. She sold her first story for $10.00 to a farm magazine. She still has the $10.00.
She graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota with a major in English and education and a minor in religion. At the time, she was simply studying what interested her, but now realizes that she was educating herself for her future career as an inspirational christian romance writer.
Judy wanted to write for Harlequin even in high school but it wasn't until her youngest child learned to say "No" that she realized that she'd better consider a second career to fall back on when mothering was done. Her first book was written with her little girl on her lap. Judy would type a few words, say "Now, Jennifer," at which time her daughter would hit the space bar before Judy continued typing. It wasn't the fastest way to work, but it offered a lot of mother-daughter time together. An over-achiever, she's written 71 books for various publishers. The mother of two and step-mother of three, she now has lots of family to enjoy.
In 2001, she went back to school and became a certified professional life coach. Currently she is working on her Master's in Human Development in the areas of writing, coaching and spirituality and writing inspirational Chick Lit which, she says, is the most fun she's ever had writing.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 25, 2023
I vaguely remember seeing a book or two from this vintage ChristFic YA series when I was a kid or kid-adjacent. I believe updated editions of the books came out about a decade ago, but my nostalgic self wanted to try one of the originals.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this first book. It's funnier and, well, smarter and somewhat grittier than I anticipated. Not too corny or simplistic, and while it isn't the kind of story that would keep me guessing at every turn, I also wouldn't have predicted every little thing these characters say and do.
Granted, some of the dialogue, especially in the beginning, is obvious info-dumping to introduce members of the cast, and there are little moments when the characters don't exactly talk like teens, I'd say. For instance, I wouldn't imagine an everyday adolescent in the 1990s using phrases like, "We mustn't...!" in normal conversation with their friends.
On another note, I've got to say that people, young people included, don't necessarily exude something great or "special" just because they're Christians. For whatever individual reasons, Christian folks vary in personality, attitude, sense, etc. as much as anybody else, whether particular attributes of theirs are positive, negative, or neither. I've often seen a general picture painted in certain Christian books, movies, skits, and such implying that if you put a bunch of random people in a room, then the kindest, wisest, most at peace, most welcoming, "special" people full of light in the room are bound to be Christians. A religious idealistic idea that isn't an accurate one.
But, hey. I'm reading a ChristFic teen novel from the '90s. So, it's no surprise that in the case of the key players in this story, the young character who has something "really special" about her happens to be a Christian.
Even so, while she's open about her faith, she isn't preachy or pushy about it here, and the overall story doesn't revolve around her or what she has to say just because it's ChristFic. Without any forced sermons or come-to-Jesus moments that wouldn't have fit the story, the book is entertaining while also offering some serious ideas and realistic questions worth thinking about.
I'm quite looking forward to continuing the series.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this first book. It's funnier and, well, smarter and somewhat grittier than I anticipated. Not too corny or simplistic, and while it isn't the kind of story that would keep me guessing at every turn, I also wouldn't have predicted every little thing these characters say and do.
Granted, some of the dialogue, especially in the beginning, is obvious info-dumping to introduce members of the cast, and there are little moments when the characters don't exactly talk like teens, I'd say. For instance, I wouldn't imagine an everyday adolescent in the 1990s using phrases like, "We mustn't...!" in normal conversation with their friends.
On another note, I've got to say that people, young people included, don't necessarily exude something great or "special" just because they're Christians. For whatever individual reasons, Christian folks vary in personality, attitude, sense, etc. as much as anybody else, whether particular attributes of theirs are positive, negative, or neither. I've often seen a general picture painted in certain Christian books, movies, skits, and such implying that if you put a bunch of random people in a room, then the kindest, wisest, most at peace, most welcoming, "special" people full of light in the room are bound to be Christians. A religious idealistic idea that isn't an accurate one.
But, hey. I'm reading a ChristFic teen novel from the '90s. So, it's no surprise that in the case of the key players in this story, the young character who has something "really special" about her happens to be a Christian.
Even so, while she's open about her faith, she isn't preachy or pushy about it here, and the overall story doesn't revolve around her or what she has to say just because it's ChristFic. Without any forced sermons or come-to-Jesus moments that wouldn't have fit the story, the book is entertaining while also offering some serious ideas and realistic questions worth thinking about.
I'm quite looking forward to continuing the series.
January 12, 2020
SpringSong didn’t work out, but so far Judy Barr’s other book series Live from Brentwood High is interesting and pretty funny. I can’t wait to read more about the topics they tackle, more about Josh, and more about Kate.
June 14, 2013
Darby spends most of her time watching the news and dreaming of being a news reporter. She understands what it takes to do a story justice and she wants to make a difference in the world. When Ms. Wright puts together a class that will allow students to learn all they can about mass communications, Darby jumps at the chance to be involved. There she meets and becomes part of a team with best friend Izzy, Jake, Andrew, Molly and Sarah.
The first interview Darby, Izzy, and Jake get is with the pregnant Mrs. Oakland. During the interview, Mrs. Oakland goes into labor, but the reader also gets to learn more about the program these high school students are involved in as Mrs. Oakland encourages them to get to know Grady. Grady is a high school student volunteering as an EMT and the first story Darby, Izzy, and Jake get to cover. Little do they realize how much they will learn and grow together as a group while doing this story, but it’s an unforgettable experience for each of them.
Even though there were some spelling and grammar errors that I noticed in this ebook, I really enjoyed the story and how passionate these teens are about making a difference in their community. Other opportunities they’re involved in with this program is a weekly feature story for Channel 9, 30 minute weekly show at school, radio show 4 days a week, and newspaper weekly column called TeenSpeak---stories by teens and for teens---learning all they can about mass communications. Some of the issues they face are: getting over a breakup, witnessing a death, one student gets the chance to save a family member after taking a CPR class, one student gets nauseous whenever discussing or witnessing a victim, one student is a know-it-all who gets a big lesson that changes his outlook, and one student who is paralyzed yet has the faith and positive outlook on life that impacts the entire group.
I’m grateful for stories like this one for young adults that shows whatever conflicts they’re dealing with in their teen years, they’re not alone. There was nothing graphic or violent in this story and it’s a fast read. This ebook has been updated since it was originally published and I really like the new cover, it’s brilliant!! The way the story moves along made me feel like I was jumping from scene to scene, like a real news story!
I want to thank the author and Litfuse Publicity Group for the free review copy I received. The opinions expressed are my own.
The first interview Darby, Izzy, and Jake get is with the pregnant Mrs. Oakland. During the interview, Mrs. Oakland goes into labor, but the reader also gets to learn more about the program these high school students are involved in as Mrs. Oakland encourages them to get to know Grady. Grady is a high school student volunteering as an EMT and the first story Darby, Izzy, and Jake get to cover. Little do they realize how much they will learn and grow together as a group while doing this story, but it’s an unforgettable experience for each of them.
Even though there were some spelling and grammar errors that I noticed in this ebook, I really enjoyed the story and how passionate these teens are about making a difference in their community. Other opportunities they’re involved in with this program is a weekly feature story for Channel 9, 30 minute weekly show at school, radio show 4 days a week, and newspaper weekly column called TeenSpeak---stories by teens and for teens---learning all they can about mass communications. Some of the issues they face are: getting over a breakup, witnessing a death, one student gets the chance to save a family member after taking a CPR class, one student gets nauseous whenever discussing or witnessing a victim, one student is a know-it-all who gets a big lesson that changes his outlook, and one student who is paralyzed yet has the faith and positive outlook on life that impacts the entire group.
I’m grateful for stories like this one for young adults that shows whatever conflicts they’re dealing with in their teen years, they’re not alone. There was nothing graphic or violent in this story and it’s a fast read. This ebook has been updated since it was originally published and I really like the new cover, it’s brilliant!! The way the story moves along made me feel like I was jumping from scene to scene, like a real news story!
I want to thank the author and Litfuse Publicity Group for the free review copy I received. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 23, 2013
Updated re-release of Judy Baer's series, Live! From Brentwood High, Book 1 Risky Assignment:
Great intro to Brentwood High's new media program initiated and led by teacher, Ms Wright, and cameraman, Gary Richmond. Skills and techniques, equipment and technology, all become a part of the daily lives of the students chosen to participate following a call for applicants. Their mandate? "Stay alert. The news is now your job. It's everywhere. All you have to do is find it, to see that unique angle, that human interest story which makes it important to the public and to put it out there for all to see."
Ms Baer does an excellent job of characterizing, giving readers recognizable characters, both main and secondary. Good intro to personalities that have already begun the maturing journey we will be following through the series.
Intense action opens the eNovella as the student news team begins interviewing the first coordinator of rural emergency care in that community. Her false labour pains turn out to be the real deal and one of the 911 ambulance EMT responders turns out to be one of her first personally trained high school students! The Brentwood High news team experiences their first live birth under the calm and confident control of Grady, EMT. Surprisingly, a fellow student their own age. Impressed, they want to know more. Grady doesn't disappoint. He's a wise example with insights that challenge the team into maturing from casual observers of life to active participants.
Subplots of drinking and driving, self esteem, relationships with schoolmates, family, employers, dating, all create opportunities for thoughtful, challenging dialogue.
Next? Book 2
*Thanks to Litfuse for providing an ecopy for reading and review without obligation.
Great intro to Brentwood High's new media program initiated and led by teacher, Ms Wright, and cameraman, Gary Richmond. Skills and techniques, equipment and technology, all become a part of the daily lives of the students chosen to participate following a call for applicants. Their mandate? "Stay alert. The news is now your job. It's everywhere. All you have to do is find it, to see that unique angle, that human interest story which makes it important to the public and to put it out there for all to see."
Ms Baer does an excellent job of characterizing, giving readers recognizable characters, both main and secondary. Good intro to personalities that have already begun the maturing journey we will be following through the series.
Intense action opens the eNovella as the student news team begins interviewing the first coordinator of rural emergency care in that community. Her false labour pains turn out to be the real deal and one of the 911 ambulance EMT responders turns out to be one of her first personally trained high school students! The Brentwood High news team experiences their first live birth under the calm and confident control of Grady, EMT. Surprisingly, a fellow student their own age. Impressed, they want to know more. Grady doesn't disappoint. He's a wise example with insights that challenge the team into maturing from casual observers of life to active participants.
Subplots of drinking and driving, self esteem, relationships with schoolmates, family, employers, dating, all create opportunities for thoughtful, challenging dialogue.
Next? Book 2
*Thanks to Litfuse for providing an ecopy for reading and review without obligation.
January 18, 2016
Interesting concept about having a high school broadcast/journalism class, however, I found the character development a bit lacking in the early going. A large cast gets introduced with very little reason behind it and it's hard to know who's who and who's important.
February 8, 2011
I thought this was a cute book and quite the project for high school students to take on. I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
September 8, 2010
this book is sort-of a mystery book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews