Spotlight Wednesday: GIRL WONDER by Alexa Martin


Today I'd like to introduce you to a new voice in YA contemporary fiction, Alexa Martin, and her powerful debut, GIRL WONDER

As if transferring senior year weren't hard enough, Charlotte Locke has been bumped to lower level classes at her new school. With no friends, a terrible math SAT score, and looming college application deadlines, the future is starting to seem like an oncoming train for which she has no ticket.

Then Amanda enters her orbit like a hot-pink meteor, offering Charlotte a ticket to something else: popularity. Amanda is fearless, beautiful, brilliant, and rich. As her new side kick, Charlotte is brought into the elite clique of the debate team—and closer to Neal, Amanda's equally brilliant friend and the most perfect boy Charlotte has ever seen.

But just when senior year is looking up, Charlotte’s life starts to crumble. The more things heat up between Charlotte and Neal, the more Neal wants to hide their relationship. Is he ashamed? Meanwhile, Amanda is starting to act strangely competitive, and she's keeping a secret Charlotte doesn't want to know.

Talented newcomer Alexa Martin delivers a poignant story of first love, jealousy and friendship, where the ups and downs of senior year have never been so complicated. What else can Charlotte do but throw her hands up and ride?

I love a book with relatable elements, and GIRL WONDER was like that for me, although not one plot element was even close to my real life. I've never been a new kid. I've never had a friend like Amanda, or a crush like Neil, or parents who revert back to adolescence, or made some very bad choices like Charlotte. But, like most readers, I've felt lonely and lost and timid and brave and all the many emotions Martin packs in these pages. And because I can relate so well to those feelings, I'm able to follow Charlotte on her own journey of self-discovery (Which is, of course, the case for many good books) That, coupled with an incredibly likable and sympathetic protagonist, some appreciated humor, and a boy with extensive knowledge on edible mushrooms, makes this a story you'll want to check out.
Oh, I love me some mushrooms.

GIRL WONDER debuts May 3. In the meantime, check out some of the stellar reviews...

"A solid debut captures the social maelstrom that is high school... Martin keeps readers involved with her distinctive, colorful and believable characters and by placing Charlotte in a fractured but realistic family life. The prose moves along nicely, mixing Charlotte's introspection with active scenes. Amanda may be wonderful, but Charlotte is the one who shines. Insightful - and entertaining too." - Kirkus

"Martin's tale is a sophisticated read intended for older adolescents. She is forthright in describing unpleasant conditions of high school life in which new students can find themselves rejected and harassed. She also lets readers see into the confused mind of a young girl who wants to belong and feel important." - ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) pick for March 2011

"Charlotte's voice is honest and relatable... Her ultimate self-acceptance is gratifying." - Publishers Weekly

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the spotlight, I'm adding to my list to read :)

Jen Bigheart said...

I picked this up at TLA...gotsta read it!

Jen

Lisa Schroeder said...

Yay, can't wait to read it!!

Claire Dawn said...

Not a covers person, but I love this one- might have something to do with my obsession with pink.

Will keep an eye open for it!

Melissa Walker said...

Favorite spring cover. So much ENERGY!

aisyahputrisetiawan said...

Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)

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