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Mom of the Year
An over-the-top fun yet poignant story about mother-daughter relationships and the world of school volunteerism. You'll laugh, cry and phone a friend about Mom of the Year--the debut title from the new literary genre, Script Lit.
Janie Parker rules the school at Parkside Elementary, though she’s not even a student. She’s a volunteer room mother, tirelessly pouring her blood, sweat and tears into every perfect detail of every party or project for her daughter’s class. And she does it all for…GASP…the glory. Her over-the-top antics alienate her daughter, Kelsey, who isn’t anything like her mother. So when Janie’s husband, Greg, announces the family must relocate to Houston in the middle of the school year, Kelsey sees the opportunity to start over. Janie, however, sees the end of her legacy as the most fabulous, glorified volunteer in the history of public schools. As if that isn’t horrifying enough, the family’s move to Houston forces Janie to live in the same town as her own mother, Helen, whom she despises.
When they arrive at Kelsey’s new school, Bear Branch Elementary, Janie discovers some silver lining – their new school district annually crowns a “Mom of the Year.” Janie soon meets her match in Lanette Middleton, the class room mother and reigning Mom of the Year. Lanette makes it clear there is no room for Janie at Bear Branch. After one too many insults, Janie fights back...and the competition is ON!
Janie Parker rules the school at Parkside Elementary, though she’s not even a student. She’s a volunteer room mother, tirelessly pouring her blood, sweat and tears into every perfect detail of every party or project for her daughter’s class. And she does it all for…GASP…the glory. Her over-the-top antics alienate her daughter, Kelsey, who isn’t anything like her mother. So when Janie’s husband, Greg, announces the family must relocate to Houston in the middle of the school year, Kelsey sees the opportunity to start over. Janie, however, sees the end of her legacy as the most fabulous, glorified volunteer in the history of public schools. As if that isn’t horrifying enough, the family’s move to Houston forces Janie to live in the same town as her own mother, Helen, whom she despises.
When they arrive at Kelsey’s new school, Bear Branch Elementary, Janie discovers some silver lining – their new school district annually crowns a “Mom of the Year.” Janie soon meets her match in Lanette Middleton, the class room mother and reigning Mom of the Year. Lanette makes it clear there is no room for Janie at Bear Branch. After one too many insults, Janie fights back...and the competition is ON!
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2013
6 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
April 29, 2014
I really hate to give this 3 stars because the writing was great, and the idea was good too. But the book dragged for me. It seems the author could have cut out a couple of scenes because they became redundant and I got the point the author was trying to make early on. There was no need continuing with the story without a major shake-up.
This was a story common to all of us. We all know the main character or we are her. Whether it be the sports dad who lives through his child and pushes him to succeed, or in this case, the mom who overcompensates for what she felt she lacked in her childhood by volunteering to the extreme.
I am a professed "volunteer addict" I can't say no. So, on many levels, I could relate with this mom. I laughed with her and cried for her child.
For the most part, we all want to do what's best for our children. Unfortunately, as is the story in this book, we sometimes to loose sight of what's important. Or should I say, WHO'S important.
This is labeled as a new genre, "Scrip Lit": n. The new genre of fiction featuring eBook novellas adapted from Hollywood's best unproduced screenplays. It is an interesting concept. This did read as a movie. I could certainly visualize this being on the big screen. As I researched this, I found one other such book. I would not rule out reading this genre in the future.
***I was given a copy by NetGalley and SL eBooks for an honest review***
This was a story common to all of us. We all know the main character or we are her. Whether it be the sports dad who lives through his child and pushes him to succeed, or in this case, the mom who overcompensates for what she felt she lacked in her childhood by volunteering to the extreme.
I am a professed "volunteer addict" I can't say no. So, on many levels, I could relate with this mom. I laughed with her and cried for her child.
For the most part, we all want to do what's best for our children. Unfortunately, as is the story in this book, we sometimes to loose sight of what's important. Or should I say, WHO'S important.
"This award is for the kids."
This is labeled as a new genre, "Scrip Lit": n. The new genre of fiction featuring eBook novellas adapted from Hollywood's best unproduced screenplays. It is an interesting concept. This did read as a movie. I could certainly visualize this being on the big screen. As I researched this, I found one other such book. I would not rule out reading this genre in the future.
***I was given a copy by NetGalley and SL eBooks for an honest review***
July 29, 2013
Great, fun, easy read! I laughed, got teary, and enjoyed every minute. :)
May 8, 2013
Very cute and clever told story. Don't want to turn into that mom!!!!
September 4, 2017
I was reading statistics about how few people read books after after high school, and I thought to myself. Gosh! I mean even when I am reading absolute nonsense I READ!
My students and I talked about it and they wanted to know what the last book I read was, I had to admit it was this one, "It was one of those books where with the first 5 pages you know EXACTLY what will happen."
Super predictable, Decently written, and overall just plain fun. This is a guilty pleasure book I think many people will enjoy devouring.
My students and I talked about it and they wanted to know what the last book I read was, I had to admit it was this one, "It was one of those books where with the first 5 pages you know EXACTLY what will happen."
Super predictable, Decently written, and overall just plain fun. This is a guilty pleasure book I think many people will enjoy devouring.
July 24, 2018
Script Lit
This script lit was cute. It was annoying at times, which made it more realistic. It made me think of the Texas Cheerleader murder, but without the murder. Some parents do get so caught up in being "the best" that they forget they are doing it for the kids, not themselves.
The ending was absolutely perfect!
This script lit was cute. It was annoying at times, which made it more realistic. It made me think of the Texas Cheerleader murder, but without the murder. Some parents do get so caught up in being "the best" that they forget they are doing it for the kids, not themselves.
The ending was absolutely perfect!
April 25, 2019
Cute book, fast easy read.
April 26, 2014
I received this ARC from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
But, just like in any good movie, there’s a phenomenal ending to this feel good story.
But, just like in any good movie, there’s a phenomenal ending to this feel good story.
December 31, 2013
There are times when your parent just doesn't realize how their behaviour in public or in general can impact your life, as a child or even as an adult.Especially when your mother comes out with quips like ‘That thing looked like an anteater’ when talking about the crown jewels of some poor unsuspecting male. Then again that probably is the kind of thing my mother would say.’Sigh’
I feel for Janie, who has become the over-compensating mother, because her own was never present during her school years. The type that feels they have to attend every performance, every parent’s evening, be head of the PTA and be a shadow to their child during their time at school.
In this case Janie is so worried about being the most awesome parent that she forgets to be a mother to her child. She ends up doing the same thing to her child, as her own mother once did and has no idea she is doing it.
The story is fresh, comes with a lot of difficult home truths and filled with characters I am sure we can all identify with. It is food for thought wrapped in the guise of a quick fun read.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.
I feel for Janie, who has become the over-compensating mother, because her own was never present during her school years. The type that feels they have to attend every performance, every parent’s evening, be head of the PTA and be a shadow to their child during their time at school.
In this case Janie is so worried about being the most awesome parent that she forgets to be a mother to her child. She ends up doing the same thing to her child, as her own mother once did and has no idea she is doing it.
The story is fresh, comes with a lot of difficult home truths and filled with characters I am sure we can all identify with. It is food for thought wrapped in the guise of a quick fun read.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.
July 31, 2015
One of the first things I downloaded onto my Kindle - mainly because it was free on promotion. It's a dramedy written for women of a certain age who have lived through the tortures of being a soccer mom, but I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed it, even being none of those things. Now, would I ever read it a second time? Probably not. But if you have nothing better to read, or if you just have a few hours for a light, breezy read, this will do.
June 14, 2014
This is a nice little read about mom's who get caught up in "helping" their children and their teachers. Kelsey's mom, Janie, is so involved in being room mom that she overlooks Kelsey herself. When they move to a new home she has some major competition from Preston's mom Lynette. The children are the ones who have to straighten out their moms. Not a long story but packed with laughs and feel good characters.
September 22, 2014
This book was so fun! The setting was just too relatable, and it was a delight to see the worst of what "being an involved mom" can spiral into. I eagerly snuck in a few pages in the pick-up line or after kids were in bed, and found myself delighting in all the perfect chaos Mom of the Year had to offer. Would love to read more by this author!
June 5, 2014
Hilarious! This delightful story sheds light on the very real and current problem of over-involved moms who focus more on outdoing each other than enjoying their children. Full of outrageous and silly adventures, Pischinger offers insight that benefits us all.
April 4, 2015
When I started this book, I thought I was going to have to go through the book and smack someone in the head. I loved the way the story turned, though, and by the end, I wanted to be friends with the "Mom of the Year."
March 8, 2014
I LOVE this book!Can't believe my mom wrote it!Love the first chapter!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2013
I know moms like Janie and Lanette!!! Fun and fast read. We all want to be the best mom.
January 19, 2014
Funny and believable! Entertaining read.
May 31, 2016
I LOVE this book! Once I read the first chapter I was in love! It was a great book to read and I would love to read this book to my kids when they are older.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews