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Molly’s Got Talent
Princess Molly enters a talent quest with the best intentions …
… but she never expects two powerful forces to rise to stop her.
When Princess Molly’s friend, Cook Henny, gets sick, Molly sees a chance to help. She enters a talent contest to win money for a special gift to cheer up her friend, and sets off on an exciting adventure in a strange new land.
But it’s tough—a relentless bully is causing trouble, and Molly has to deal with a scary fear from her past. As things get harder, Molly must find the courage to stand up to her adversary and win the contest.
Will Molly be brave enough to beat her fears and help Cook Henny?
This allegorical story won’t just have your 8-11-year-old glued to the pages long past bedtime—it’s also a tale that weaves in lessons on resilience and how to handle fear.
If you love Kate DiCamillo, Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, then this book is perfect for you.
BUY NOW and enter Molly’s world today.
… but she never expects two powerful forces to rise to stop her.
When Princess Molly’s friend, Cook Henny, gets sick, Molly sees a chance to help. She enters a talent contest to win money for a special gift to cheer up her friend, and sets off on an exciting adventure in a strange new land.
But it’s tough—a relentless bully is causing trouble, and Molly has to deal with a scary fear from her past. As things get harder, Molly must find the courage to stand up to her adversary and win the contest.
Will Molly be brave enough to beat her fears and help Cook Henny?
This allegorical story won’t just have your 8-11-year-old glued to the pages long past bedtime—it’s also a tale that weaves in lessons on resilience and how to handle fear.
If you love Kate DiCamillo, Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, then this book is perfect for you.
BUY NOW and enter Molly’s world today.
- GenresChildrens
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2024
21 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Allen
6 books11 followersInspired by a multitude of mystery stories, the young teenage Carmen Allen had a dream of her own - to become a fiction writer for children. Her first attempt at writing, which by the way, included a riveting plot involving a missing banana and stolen diamond, was penned secretly in science class when she should have been listening to her teacher.
Fast forward many years and we see Carmen’s dream come true with the debut of her children’s book, ‘Molly’s Big Decision’. Carmen writes about children of character in a world of wonder.
Downtime for Carmen usually involves reading an action novel that champions a hero performing remarkably brave feats. Carmen also loves to bake, design or chat with a friend over a good cup of coffee. She lives on the East Coast of Australia, with her husband and childhood sweetheart.
Fast forward many years and we see Carmen’s dream come true with the debut of her children’s book, ‘Molly’s Big Decision’. Carmen writes about children of character in a world of wonder.
Downtime for Carmen usually involves reading an action novel that champions a hero performing remarkably brave feats. Carmen also loves to bake, design or chat with a friend over a good cup of coffee. She lives on the East Coast of Australia, with her husband and childhood sweetheart.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2025
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Molly’s Got Talent
Author: Carmen Allen
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
7 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
7 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think this book was okay to good. I liked Molly as she’s so kind and wants to help the cook. I also liked that there was lots of talking as I don’t enjoy books that just ‘tell’ the story like a news report. But I also think it’s a bit slow and a bit too long.” Girl, aged 9 – with a little help from her teacher
“After reading this book to my class, I’d recommend it to 9 and 10 year olds. They did enjoy the story, and how Molly was trying to win to help the cook. Most of the children know what a talent contest is, so that helped. They liked that Molly had to face up to a bully too. The writing style is simple with plenty of chatter!” Primary school teacher, aged 59
“I think Molly’s a star trying to get a gift for the lady who worked in the orphanage. That’s a good lesson for kids. Also, standing up to a bully is important.” Girl, aged 9
“This book felt a bit too young for me. The plot was too simplistic and there wasn’t the character development I enjoy. I think 9 year olds will enjoy it the most, but not 12 year olds.” Girl, aged 12
“I read this with my TA. We decided it was a drama and would be best for children, say 8 – 12 year olds. We liked lots of things in the book – (1) Molly is cool and a never-give-up sort of girl (2) it was a bit funny (3) it’s a feel-good story so nothing too bad ever happens. My TA called it a ‘safe’ book for kids.” Girl, aged 10 – with a little help from her TA
“A good book for showing empathy and kindness to others.” Primary school teacher, aged 32
“My 9 year old liked Molly and she liked the plot with the talent show. She felt Molly was kind and thoughtful. I did too; a good role model for children.” Mum of 9 year old girl
To Sum It Up:
‘A sweetly written drama with a fun to root for protagonist and a strong message of giving and never giving up.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Molly’s Got Talent
Author: Carmen Allen
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
7 felt it was easy to follow.
11 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
7 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think this book was okay to good. I liked Molly as she’s so kind and wants to help the cook. I also liked that there was lots of talking as I don’t enjoy books that just ‘tell’ the story like a news report. But I also think it’s a bit slow and a bit too long.” Girl, aged 9 – with a little help from her teacher
“After reading this book to my class, I’d recommend it to 9 and 10 year olds. They did enjoy the story, and how Molly was trying to win to help the cook. Most of the children know what a talent contest is, so that helped. They liked that Molly had to face up to a bully too. The writing style is simple with plenty of chatter!” Primary school teacher, aged 59
“I think Molly’s a star trying to get a gift for the lady who worked in the orphanage. That’s a good lesson for kids. Also, standing up to a bully is important.” Girl, aged 9
“This book felt a bit too young for me. The plot was too simplistic and there wasn’t the character development I enjoy. I think 9 year olds will enjoy it the most, but not 12 year olds.” Girl, aged 12
“I read this with my TA. We decided it was a drama and would be best for children, say 8 – 12 year olds. We liked lots of things in the book – (1) Molly is cool and a never-give-up sort of girl (2) it was a bit funny (3) it’s a feel-good story so nothing too bad ever happens. My TA called it a ‘safe’ book for kids.” Girl, aged 10 – with a little help from her TA
“A good book for showing empathy and kindness to others.” Primary school teacher, aged 32
“My 9 year old liked Molly and she liked the plot with the talent show. She felt Molly was kind and thoughtful. I did too; a good role model for children.” Mum of 9 year old girl
To Sum It Up:
‘A sweetly written drama with a fun to root for protagonist and a strong message of giving and never giving up.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 1, 2024
“Molly’s Got Talent”, Carmen Allen’s fourth in a series, will appeal to 9-year-olds and up. It appears without typos as far as I can see and is informative as well as fascinating. The plot holds together excellently. Envy and sabotage of a talent contest are admirably explored and throughout the book appealing but simple illustrations help the reader enjoy the content more. Molly, the heroine, is depicted modestly and her handling of “the criminals” around her is just and without aggression. Role models are held up for our admiration, and those criminals who don’t win appear to serve as a lesson…which is that childhood like adulthood is challenging, and there is a fair bit of bad mixed up with the good. Our children need to react not overreact to these problems and be aware that not everybody is as he or she seems. Molly, her adult supporters, and her good friends are admirable.
June 23, 2024
This is a delightful story of a little girl who wants to give a gift to a special lady in her life…but how? She needs money to buy a gift. Well, she enters a singing contest. She is surrounded by friends but is still stricken with fear. A bully is also giving her challenges, but she is determined. Can she do it? Can she overcome her fears?
I received a copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
April 21, 2025
Middle grade kids will read this book nonstop, cover to cover! There's plenty of mystery, adventure, humor, and each chapter with a lot of conflicts to resolve. Readers can't help but see a little of themselves in the unforgettable characters. 5 stars!
January 22, 2025
Very interesting. Kept me entertained reading it.
August 20, 2025
This was a good read
April 23, 2025
A brilliant instalment in the Molly Greenwood Adventures series! Carmen Allen takes us on a ride using the characters of young Molly and her friends. The premise is simple: Molly wants to gift her old friend something special, but for that she needs to get coins in the first place. Hoping to obtain the winning sum of money, Molly enrols in a talent show. How does she make it through the rounds? Does she end up winning and buying her friend her desired gift?
The book was evenly paced, flowed well, and the writing was simple and clear. The characters- good and bad- were believable and written well.
Altogether, the book sent an important message on doing things for others selflessly, resilience, determination, and courage. It makes for a wonderful book for the younger audiences; especially as the story is an allegory in itself.
Some quotes from the book:
- Molly thought about the events in her life and knew that things did not always go well.
- Molly drew a deep breath. Then another. I can do this.
I received an Author Review Copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
The book was evenly paced, flowed well, and the writing was simple and clear. The characters- good and bad- were believable and written well.
Altogether, the book sent an important message on doing things for others selflessly, resilience, determination, and courage. It makes for a wonderful book for the younger audiences; especially as the story is an allegory in itself.
Some quotes from the book:
- Molly thought about the events in her life and knew that things did not always go well.
- Molly drew a deep breath. Then another. I can do this.
I received an Author Review Copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews