The Secret Crush

Mackenzie Blue #2

by Tina Wells

Mackenzie Blue has a crush!

But how can she get Landon—the cutest boy in school—to notice her? The class's new rock-and-roll musical is her chance.

Reasons why our musical is going to be

I could be the star! Landon could be my co-star . . . which means we'll hang out together.Working on the sets, props, music, script, and costumes will be tons of fun.There's so much to do, I'd better get started!

Between her crush, the musical, and her friends—not to mention school work—Zee is torn in a thousand different directions. With all the real-life drama going on, will she lose sight of what's really important?

Genres: Chick Lit, Childrens, Middle Grade

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2009

About the author

Tina Wells is the author of the best-selling tween fiction series Mackenzie Blue, and its spinoff series, The Zee Files. Tina lives on the East Coast but likes to travel and share her passion to encourage and uplift young people.

Reviews

[Reading Vacation · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW
It’s a Win, Win, Win, Win situation with Mackenzie Blue! I loved Mackenzie Blue’s Crew of friends, the drawings, the on-line chatting, and the diary entries. Yep, I liked it all.
I will break down what I enjoyed the most in each book -
Mackenzie Blue - Zee struggling to find the courage to take part in the Teen Sing contest.
The Secret Crush – Zee finding all sorts of crazy ways to get Landon’s attention.
Friends Forever? – Zee trying to keep the peace between her best friends who are having trouble getting along. Oh, and the Mountain Man who is out to get the girls!
I totally recommend this series to tween girls, especially if they are as into girlie books as I am. WINNER!
Thank you to Buzz Marketing for sending these books for me to review.
RATING
5 Plot
5 Characters
5 Attention Grabbing
5 Girlie Meter
4 Ending

24 TOTAL

5 STARS



Review posted on the Reading Vacation blog http://tinyurl.com/2esfqnw

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read with the girls!

[Terry]

Read. Not reviewed.

[Sophia Pease · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cant wait to read the other books!!!

[Sunny Kim]

I like this book because it was interesting. There was a lot of drama and fun. I loved it!! hope to read more of this series!!

[mafe corcetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

melhor de tudo desses livro é que todos eram capa dura, tenho eles até hoje e o primeiro vinha com um lápis com a cabeça dela feita de biscuit em cima

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackenzie Blue returns again, with all her friends & foes, for another middle school adventure. This time her music class is putting on the performance and she has got the lead, and her crush Landon is her co-star. This is great for Mackenzie because now she gets to spend every waking minute with him, get close to him, and maybe through all this she'll get to become his girlfriend. So if you notice on my site, you might notice that I don't review a lot of MG books because I don't read them mainly. But I read a few series, series that are still making books that I read at that age and books that I find really good. Mackenzie Blue is one of those books that is very attractive and fun looking, so it's a must read. It has IM (instant messaging) conversations, pictures, text messages, and diary entries in the book so it makes it a fun, quick read. You feel like it's Christmas morning while reading theses. I have not reviewed the first book in the series.

Also a lot of things that happen in Mackenzie Blue is very realistic, and things that Zee (nickname for Mackenzie) is going through are things that I went through in middle school. Examples; having the popular girl hate you, being embarrassed of your parents, crushing on a boy, and having those friends that stick up for you no matter what. In middle school it seems so hard, then you get to high school and you wish you were back in middle school. It's fun for a junior in high school to read this. It certainly takes your mind off of problems you have in your life. Mackenzie blue series is funny and in the first book (this is the sequel) Mackenzie's diary gets stolen and everyone in school finds out some of her biggest secrets. Which, if happen to me, I would be as desperate as Mackenzie to get it back. Mackenzie Blue is your regular 12 year old, who wishes to be the next Taylor Swift & is a fashionista. She is a very good friend, but sometimes gets to be selfish and sidetracked. Me and Mackenzie are nothing alike, but the amazing thing is while reading both books you feel like your Mackenzie. Tina Wells does an amazing job of going into a middle school girl's mind and writing a book of those periods in life. Both books are fast paste, but I enjoyed this book more then the other one. It is also a simple, easy read so you don't have to think to much. So I really don't have to dive deeper into it. But again, I recommend (if I haven't said this before) to read the first one first. The only complaints I have about this book is that the conflict in the end with, I guess lets say, the antagonist was very unrealistic. I cannot imagine a 12 year old doing that, though maybe I don't know enough people to tell that. Also, I know my generation (and current 12 year olds) talk about this a lot, but I found it weird with Kathi liking her teacher. That was just not needed, especially for this series, no matter how realistic it is. It made me feel unsettle at times reading what she thought about her teacher.

In all this is a book I recommend to all, whether your 12, 16 or even 25. It's a relaxing read with unique, fun dialogue and emotion that comes through to the readers.

[Sophie Riggsby / allthingsequilateral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Mackenzie Blue series and I have to admit that both my tween daughter and I thoroughly enjoy the voice of plucky Zee. One of the things I love about her is that she's a very realistic 7th Grade girl -- with fairly real problems. She has her friends, her seemingly unsupportive older brother and parents that she perceives as meddling at all the wrong moments in her life -- like when she's just about to kiss her crush Landon, her Mom walks in! I know, I was laughing too, and remembering all those middle school moments in my own life. But, Mackenzie's not overly dramatic or too snarky like some of the current tween heroines, she hits the right notes for both her middle grader readers and their parents.

So in this second installment, Zee's class is putting on a musical. One that they will write, practice and put on themselves. I won't spoil it for you but there are lots of surprises. Zee's antagonist, Kathi, is suddenly being very nice. Zee's BFF, Ally, who is still in Paris, has a boyfriend and doesn't have as much time to IM her and then, of course, there is the matter of Zee's crush on that cute boy Landon. One of my favorite moments in the book occurs when Zee takes inventory of How to Tell If Someone Is Your BFF (p. 184-185):

1.She helps you with your problems.
2.She's always there for you.
3.She keeps your secrets.
4.She makes sure you don't totally embarrass yourself.
5.She chooses you over her boyfriend.

Both my daughter and I enjoyed Zee's quirky yet realistic inner dialogue and once again, the lesson to be true to yourself is illustrated in a positive way. The book contains the same fun character illustrations, IMs and diary entries as its predecessor making it a quick and amusing read.

I'm looking forward to reviewing the third book in the series, Mackenzie Blue: Friends Forever? and I admit that I've already pre-ordered the fourth installment, Mackenzie Blue: Mixed Messages, which will be released on November 23, 2010.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie Blue, Zee, and her friends at Brookdale Academy join a band, the Beans. With the help of their music teacher, Mr. P, they are going to put on a rock musical. Zee’s ecstatic and hopes that she’ll be the lead and that her crush will play the leading male.

Zee’s best guy friend, Jasper, is also trying out for the male lead. She’s thrilled when she finds out that she and Landon are the leads. Jasper has been acting funny. Ever since Landon has been announced as the lead, he’s been acting somewhat mean to Landon. Zee has no clue what’s wrong with Jasper, but it seems that her best girl friend, Chloe, does.

Zee puts off a lot of her work so she can work on costume ideas and the play. She’s also been standing up her friends. It seems like she’s the only one that cares. When others start to try to do the job assigned to her, she gets upset. Her friends and family don’t act like the play is that important and that crushes Zee. Landon is the only one that understands. On top of all that, Zee gets a Friend’s Day card from a secret admirer.

I love this series. I’m always fond of books that have added extras, whether it’s blog or journal entries, pictures, etc. This book just so happens to have journal entries and cute pictures. I did feel bad for Zee because it didn’t seem a lot of her friends were excited as she ways for the play. It didn’t give her a right to bail on her friends though. I think young girls will enjoy this series. I also think adults that are young at heart or that like middle grade books will enjoy this as well.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Crush is the second book in the Mackenzie Blue Series. I have to say it was more fun to read than the first book. Maybe because I just like to read books that deal with crushes. I also loved the cute little pictures throughout the book, again the pictures were something to look forward to while reading.

Remember when you were in middle school you started to feel embarrassed to be seen with your parents? Zee, the main character, is at that stage in her life. It was nice to see how Zee transforms in the novel. This book points out that parents have your best interests at heart.

The things I didn't like was that Zee was so blind to realize that her admirer was someone close to her. In my mind a lot of us girls are quick tell if someone likes us as more than a friend. The last thing I didn't like was that some parts seemed too dramatic.

Another good point made in the book was that when you are so focused on one thing it can cause you to fail in other areas of life.

Overall The Secret Crush is a quick and fun read. Everyone will enjoy this book. Young or old it doesn't matter.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Bookworm

Zee is back with her gang and they are forming a band with the help of Mr. P, the ultra cool music teacher. The Beans, as they name themselves, decide to put on a musical as way of introducing themselves to the school. And everyone wants the leads of course. Zee wants the female lead and hopes Landon, her not-so-secret crush, get the male lead. But Zee's friend Jasper also wants the lead and he is acting weird toward Landon. How will Zee handle all this tension?

Another cute book in the Mackenzie Blue series, I think this one is a little better since all the characters have been introduced. I can't figure out the Kathi character. She is given a lot of motivation for her behavior and then she acts out of character. Maybe that is a hallmark of the tween age, trying to figure out who you want to be. I like the illustrations in each book and think it adds to the story nicely.

[Gmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice addition the the Mackenzie Blues series....book two finds Zee trying to find a balance between her new friends, school, and 'THE BEANS', while still keeping true to herself and her long distance friend Ally. All the excitement has her trusting some she should not and ignoring some she should. In the end, she winds up in quite a predicament...but who will come to her rescue saving her day and the musical performance of her young school career?

Though the book is titled "THE SECRET CRUSH", it seemed as though that story took a back seat to Zee's more pressing musical dreams. It's not a bad thing since the story would run the risk of lagging dramatically had it focused only on the crush, it just left this reader wondering if there wasn't perhaps another more fitting title to be had. All in all, a fun read recommended for fans of MG fiction.....

[Jessica Vogt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun to read. I read this series last year and recently just read them again . Yes, it was short but at least it was good. At some points i just could not put this book down and at other points of the book it was very slow and boring. At least there where more points of the book that i enjoyed then I was bored. It was fun to read, but my advice if you want to read it is to gt it from the library, read it quickly at a book store, or buy it on kindle or nook. I would say it wasn't worth the money to buy them and its even more because its hardcover. I hope this was helpful to you.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story. It continues where the last one left off. We, again, follow Zee through her adventures as a 7th grader, this time, she receives a card from an admirer. Could it be from the hottest guy in school, or someone else?

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this book it was boring. As the book when on I loved it more and more! I could tell how the characters felt during the book. Tina Wells did a great job on this book. I can't wait to read the rest of her series.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought ge book was very well writen. the beans put on a musical about Romeo and Juliet. Landon is Romeo and zee is Juliet. kathi starts being nice 2 zee and and right before the show kathi locks zee in a music room

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Mackenzie Blue learns that her school is performing a rock-and-roll musical, she spies her chance to finally get close to Landon, the boy whom she likes

For sixth grade girls.

[Griselda · Rating 5 out of 5]

i beraly finished reading it and it is about them making their band The Beans and they were going to make a show

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 words for you




BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!

[Rachel Shogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was probaly the best book of the series and gave many details and supporter details.

[Abigail]

i am on page 211 out of 220

[Kelley.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the sequel to the Mackenzie blue series. I like how she finally gets close to Landon and also how Ally comes to visit Mackenzie and Mackenzie friends.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you alot of suspense and it was fun to read

[Swaraa Iyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that I can say is that the book is so weird.

[Alexiselija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid's book. I read this one last.

[TJ Shotwell-Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Chloe Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaches girls about love