Books in a series...most of us love them. Young readers, middle readers, and young adult readers love them. Krysten Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series, a clean read young adult series. She also pens the new Star Series. Today we talk about the three book True Colors Series, suitable for ages 10 and up.
After reading the first book, True Colors I wrote:
"OMG. Having taught middle school for 30 years, I can say with some authority that True Colors, by Krysten Lindsay Hager is scarily realistic. The author has an uncanny memory for the middle school years. Her characters speak and act realistically. To adults their obsessions may seem banal, but to middle schoolers, their thoughts, fears, insecurities, and shifting feelings of friendships are the basis of their universe. Hager focuses on this middle school universe in such a way that one begins to wonder if she is still there....is she a middle schooler?
Krysten writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image in True Colors, Best Friends…Forever?, and Landry in Like.
Krysten is a book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and writes YA, MG, humor essays, and adult fiction. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in southwestern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
If you haven't started the series with your MG'er start with book one, True Colors. Here's my review of the series.
Book 1: True Colors
The main character, Landry, wants to be one of those squealers who runs toward her friends shouting "OMG, do I have news for you" but she is not. She sees her life as BORING. Even when her life takes a positive turn, her low self-esteem continues to plague her. There are several reasons for this; overbearing friends, false friends, parents who are separated but do manage to get together and then fight, and boys. Then there are the BFF's who unfriend and refriend at the slightest perceived slight. They, too, are middle schoolers going through their own angst.
Then there's THE HAIR! Beautiful, long silky hair, but Landry does not see it that way. How often have I seen girls behaving like Landry, crying about their hair, and changing their hairstyles between classes....even in class if the teacher is distracted.
Honestly, I felt as if I were back at my middle school post watching girls who I knew would grow up to be fine, but who needed support for the moment as they came and went through my classroom and my life. My only negative concern is very petty. I think the girls acted more like the seventh graders I've known than eighth graders. Eighth graders are usually getting their act together a little more than Landry and her friends. But who knows, in the sequel, they might just reach that eighth grade level of maturity.
I was gifted this book by the author for an honest review. I can honestly recommend this book. I think middle school girls will see themselves and their friends in many of the characters.
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Book 2: Best Friends... Forever?
Landry Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her besties make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.
Again I ask: Is this author still in middle school? She is so good at capturing those girls! Yikes.
Book 3: Landry in Like
Things
seem to be going well in Landry Albright’s world—she has been invited to be on
local talk shows to talk about her modeling career, her best friends have her
back, and her boyfriend Vladi has becoming someone she can truly count on…and
then everything changes. Suddenly it seems like most of the girls in school are
into hanging out at a new teen dance club, while Landry just wants to spend her
weekends playing video games and baking cupcakes at sleepovers. Then, Yasmin
McCarty, the most popular girl in school, starts to come between Landry’s
friendship with Ashanti. Things take a turn when Yasmin tells Vladi that Landry
is interested in another boy. Can Landry get her relationships with Ashanti and
Vladi back or will she be left out and left behind?
Again, I feel as if I am back in middle school overhearing my students's lament about their lives.
Check out the effective book trailer for book three:
Check out the effective book trailer for book three:
Interested in purchasing, it's easy:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Landry-Like-Landrys-True-Colors-ebook/dp/B01AL6AUA2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/landry-in-like-krysten-lindsay-hager/1123253456?ean=2940157767242
Author bio: Krysten Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series, a clean reads young adult series and the new Star Series. Krysten writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image in True Colors, Best Friends…Forever? And Landry in Like, as well as in, Next Door to a Star (Star Series). Her sequel to Next Door to a Star will be out March 22 2016.
Krysten is a book addict who has never met a bookstore she
didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and writes YA, MG, humor essays, and
adult fiction. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South
Dakota, and currently resides in southwestern Ohio where you can find her
reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows. She
received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
The author, Krysten Lindsay Hager is easily accessible should anyone wish to get in touch with her:
Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsay
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/
