Road Trip

Diary of a Teenage Girl #8

by Melody Carlson

After signing a contract with a major recording company, Redemption's dreams are coming true. Chloe, Allie, and Laura begin their concert tour with the good-looking guys in the popular band Iron Cross. Allie's mom and her brother with Down's syndrome add a little variety to their entourage. But as soon as the glitz and glamour wear off, the girls find life on the road a little overwhelming. Even solid, well-balanced Laura appears to be feeling the stress - and Chloe isn't quite sure how to confront her about the growing signs of drug addiction...

we want it all, or so we say / but what gets lost along the way? / along the road to riches, fame / we know we’ll never be the same

The guys in Iron Cross occupy Chloe’s thoughts a little more than she cares to admit. Still, life on the road gets less and less glamorous and more and more overwhelming–especially when solid, well-balanced Laura begins acting strange. Her hostility toward Chloe’s concern makes the girls wonder how much longer they can keep their act together...

Story Behind the Book

Over the years, I have worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to Young Life leader to political activist to senior editor. But most of all I love to write! In the past few years, I have published more than ninety books for children, teens, and adults. I hope the Diary of a Teenage Girl series will impact the lives of teens through an honest and gutsy approach of a "diary style" book.

Genres: Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction, Teen, Realistic Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2003

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

My low score is because of the typos!!! I read the first of the Chloe series, Sold Out, together with a young woman I am tutoring. The story is somewhat simple, but I do like how it touches upon tough stuff without delving too deep, yet enough to provide thoughtful and teachable moments. This book, also, has a good storyline. The typos, however, are distracting. I was only to Chapter 4 and there were more typos in those first four chapters than in the first book alone. Sold Out had two major typos which were outright confusing: Listing Chloe’s mother as “Mrs. Killer” and later, Chloe’s friend calling her Chloe Killer. In this book, Chapter 4 has two places in the first three paragraphs where maybe is spelled “Kaybe”! I’m surprised that a series with such great (other) reviews hasn’t taken the time to find a good editor. =( The typos are truly distracting me from any quality I might find yet in reading this book. I can overlook a few, but there have been too many typos in this second book about Chloe.

[Chloe L · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in Melody Carlson’s, Diary of a Teenage Girl: Chloe series, Road Trip, did not disappoint. With plausible characters who make good choices and bad, all characters are relatable and admirable. Showing the positives and negatives of touring and life on the road, Melody Carlson shows us how even the strongest of people can fall into temptation because we're all just human. I will be recommending this book to every 15 year old I know and will definitely be reading this book again.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember enjoying the Chloe diaries, they were a very fast series I tore through as a teen, but the plots quickly lost the realism of the Caitlin books as Chloe becomes a world famous rock star over the course of four short books.
Still, a good quick read that holds your interest (even if you have to really suspend the disbelief).

[grace nowland · Rating 3 out of 5]

i found this in a rando book store in texas! it’s definitely not as good as the other ones, it becomes to teenagery(i hate it when books like try to be teenagery rather than being real idk how to explain that) and was sort of less realistic and relatable cause she was famous. super cool idea for a book, but this was def not as good as the other ones

[Gloria Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books had so many ups and downs that really held you and kept you really intrigued. I loved every minute that I spent on it!

[Elaynna Robins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comfort read for sure!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book. Chloe and her band pals actually start their tour and everything goes great until Chloe and Allie learn that Laura is using drugs. Chloe also learns a bit about breaking up when she gets and e-mail from her half-way boyfriend saying that he has "kissed dating good-bye". All in all, this is a great book.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

THis was a powerful book about the power of drugs and the effects it has on people and friends and family in their lives. It was a super strong message. The girl started on sleeping pills and felt so groggy that she started taking Ritalin to wake up. BEfore she knew it her whole personality had changed.

[Myesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! Of course it had the same outstanding characters just now with a different story. They are on a tour for their christian band. I loved how she showed how hard it can be to live on the road especially with friends. With Laura acting strange, it brought me to read till the end and it was definitely worth the time spent. It was an insightful that I wouldn't mind reading again.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Diary book, but it was still good. The hard topic the author tackled in this book is drugs. Not really so much fun, but I think it hit home and it is great for teenage girls to read about (and adults, too). Only one more Chloe book left!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have been reading melody carlson books since last summer and that's been so great for me it has helped me to grow more in my christian walk. i love this book the poems in it are so good and the story is great i love it!!!!!!!

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, though I liked the next book in the series better. I'm not sure I felt like the heroine was a person as much as an illustration how a good Christian girl is supposed to act in specific circumstances.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe is the best character out of all the diaries, definitely.

[Angela Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love how Melody Carlson can make up a girl that seems so real to me. I feel like Chloe is my best friend.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

omw, i love this book! (:

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome!!!!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good. this makes me want to be a rockstar! they get on the road for their very first 3 month long tour! awesome!

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Besides the "messages" being naive, preachy, and offensive on multiple levels, the writing is atrocious.

[Jellybean · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really really loves this book!!!!!!!=D

[Brittany Jackson]

Like I said I loved it. I love her attitude. She acts like I do sometimes.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

See review of book two.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think being exposed to large amounts of money and fame can be a huge test of self confidence and morals. I think this was a very fun read .

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book. I really enjoyed reading it. I continue loving Chloe as a character. I can not wait too keep reading. Once I got started I could not put it down.

[Danae]

Review to follow.

[Miranda | BookishlyBrewed | · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this series as a teenager and absolutely loved it. Will update if I ever decide to reread. 🌟

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F CAR doatg chloe bk.3