About the Book

Book: Taking Chances

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Middle Grade

Release Date: April 15, 2020

Zoey knows her days are numbered. At least when it comes to remaining in Cedarville. So when Louisa coaxes her to be part of a garage band, Zoey tosses her insecurities aside to make music with her friends. And she even goes out for the basketball team. But what will happen when her mom shows up and pulls the plug on everything?

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MY REVIEW

I have enjoyed getting to follow Zoey and her friends in this fun series. It is geared towards middle school and the author nails their attitude and problems perfectly. Even though you can read this book as a stand alone, I would recommend reading from the beginning. Each book focuses on Zoey and the problems she faces as a pre teen. This story finds Zoey branching out and getting involved with school activities. There is also a very fun adventure that she and a few of her friends get involved in. To me this was an important part of the story because it shows Zoey becoming more confidant in herself.

Another aspect of the story I really liked was the lesson on forgiveness. Zoey has learned to forgive someone who hurt her last year. When another rumor starts about Zoey, will she blame the wrong person for starting the vicious lie? This storyline was used in the last book but the author takes it a step further. The faith element in the book is just the right amount for this age group. It is on a level that they will fill comfortable without feeling preached to.

I am sad to see the series ending but the author has ended the story with a great lesson that we can all learn from. When you forgive someone, you need to let the past go. I hope this series is put libraries and used in youth groups to help pet teens understand the value of friendship and a forgiving heart.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

Sometimes I feel guilty for ‘torturing’ my teen and tween characters, but I do it for my readers. It’s not easy being an adolescent, and reading about someone who’s facing hard times is comforting. But in the final Zoey book, I really wanted to give her some victories too. So when challenges come her way, she stands up to them. And she even puts her newly found faith to work. The goal is for readers to feel hopeful about their own lives when they see Zoey rise above her tough circumstances.