Scenarios of Substance

Typically, when my seven-year-old She-Twin asks to watch a TV show, read a book or engage in an activity outside of what I consider her age-appropriate range, I shudder slightly, offer up the chronology by which her object of desire might be more feasible, and in most instances, ardently hope she forgets.

When Nicole O'Dell's new books Truth or Dare and All that Glitters---the first two texts in the Scenarios series---arrived at our home for review, for the very first time, I actually got excited by literature for tween girls!

In a society afloat in Bratz, Total Drama Island and tee shirts emblazoned with rude, arrogant, disrespectful and shockingly suggestive messages, thanks to these two new books, my faith in those writing for and speaking to teens is redeemed!

In prose not contrived to sound faux "cool," but is genuinely age accessible; Nicole O'Dell's heroines confront challenging situations typical of those tough years with highly believable response and personal conflict. Best of all, there are unabashed examples of guidance and spiritually sound suggestions offered as a viable option.

My hat is off to Nicole. I can hardly wait to share the Scenarios books with my own daughter...who having seen them in my hands these past few weeks is already excited to read them when she's a bit older. (Please keep writing, Nicole...my daughter reads quickly, and I want to have a whole series at the ready when the time comes!)


Why isn't this on the "Reviews" page you ask? Why does the name Nicole O'Dell sound familiar you ask? She's a mom of gorgeous triplets and the blogger behind What a Trip! Thought readers here ought to know!