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Scenarios #4
Making Waves
“Just try it one time. It won’t hurt you.”
High school junior and avid swimmer Kate Walker has decided to try something new this year. She leaves the comfort and freedom of open water and secures a spot on her school’s swim team. She soon becomes obsessed with practice and exceling at the championships in pursuit of a college scholarship.
When Kate’s friends encourage her to do something illegal to get through her events at the most important swim meet of her life, she must choose between letting down her teammates by doing the right thing or risking it all no matter the consequences.
What will Kate do? What will YOU do?
Making Waves is part of the What Now? collection where teens like you get to make the choices about hot topics like drinking, relationships, stealing, drugs, cheating, and purity. Written especially for girls like you facing difficult decisions and lots of peer pressure, the What Now? Collection allows you to step right into the life of the main character and choose your own ending.
"It's evident that Nicole is a rare author. She has a tender heart for teenage girls and has poured that care into her stories. May her tribe increase! And may her books lead many readers to make wise choices."
--Robin Jones Gunn best-selling author of the Christy Miller Series and the
Katie Weldon Series
MAKING WAVES is a solid story with interesting teens that shows the consequences of choices—good or bad. This book is not only a good read for teens, but would also make a foundation for a discussion in a Sunday School Class, Youth Group or between parents and teens. Faith element: medium. Recommended.
(Carolyn R. Scheidies Author's Choice Reviews 2010-03-31)
High school junior and avid swimmer Kate Walker has decided to try something new this year. She leaves the comfort and freedom of open water and secures a spot on her school’s swim team. She soon becomes obsessed with practice and exceling at the championships in pursuit of a college scholarship.
When Kate’s friends encourage her to do something illegal to get through her events at the most important swim meet of her life, she must choose between letting down her teammates by doing the right thing or risking it all no matter the consequences.
What will Kate do? What will YOU do?
Making Waves is part of the What Now? collection where teens like you get to make the choices about hot topics like drinking, relationships, stealing, drugs, cheating, and purity. Written especially for girls like you facing difficult decisions and lots of peer pressure, the What Now? Collection allows you to step right into the life of the main character and choose your own ending.
"It's evident that Nicole is a rare author. She has a tender heart for teenage girls and has poured that care into her stories. May her tribe increase! And may her books lead many readers to make wise choices."
--Robin Jones Gunn best-selling author of the Christy Miller Series and the
Katie Weldon Series
MAKING WAVES is a solid story with interesting teens that shows the consequences of choices—good or bad. This book is not only a good read for teens, but would also make a foundation for a discussion in a Sunday School Class, Youth Group or between parents and teens. Faith element: medium. Recommended.
(Carolyn R. Scheidies Author's Choice Reviews 2010-03-31)
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Nicole O'Dell
41 books209 followersNicole O'Dell, Choose NOW Ministries
...battling peer pressure by tackling the tough issues
Youth-culture expert, Nicole O’Dell, resides in Paxton, Illinois, with her husband and six children—the youngest of which are toddler triplets. She’s the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, dedicated to battling peer pressure and guiding teens through tough issues while helping parents encourage good decisions, and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, where “It's all about choices!” On air, O’Dell covers peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, and anything else that comes up along the way. Nicole writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices.
She’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction, which offers readers alternate endings, allowing them to decide what the main character does, and the Diamond Estates Series based on her experiences as a resident at Teen Challenge as a teenager. Her non-fiction for teens includes Girl Talk, 2/1/12, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column.
Nicole’s desire to bridge the gap between parents and teens is evident in her parenting non-fiction like the Hot Buttons , series aimed at helping parents handle tough issues with their tweens and teens before they pop up in real life. Watch for Hot Buttons books on subjects like dating, Internet activity, sexuality, prejudice, friendships, politics, and many more.
For more information on Nicole O’Dell or her books, or to schedule Nicole for a speaking event or interview, visit http://www.nicoleodell.com. Podcasts of Choose NOW Radio are available at http://www.chooseNOWradio.com.
...battling peer pressure by tackling the tough issues
Youth-culture expert, Nicole O’Dell, resides in Paxton, Illinois, with her husband and six children—the youngest of which are toddler triplets. She’s the founder of Choose NOW Ministries, dedicated to battling peer pressure and guiding teens through tough issues while helping parents encourage good decisions, and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, where “It's all about choices!” On air, O’Dell covers peer pressure, dating, purity, drugs, alcohol, modesty, popularity, and anything else that comes up along the way. Nicole writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices.
She’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction, which offers readers alternate endings, allowing them to decide what the main character does, and the Diamond Estates Series based on her experiences as a resident at Teen Challenge as a teenager. Her non-fiction for teens includes Girl Talk, 2/1/12, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column.
Nicole’s desire to bridge the gap between parents and teens is evident in her parenting non-fiction like the Hot Buttons , series aimed at helping parents handle tough issues with their tweens and teens before they pop up in real life. Watch for Hot Buttons books on subjects like dating, Internet activity, sexuality, prejudice, friendships, politics, and many more.
For more information on Nicole O’Dell or her books, or to schedule Nicole for a speaking event or interview, visit http://www.nicoleodell.com. Podcasts of Choose NOW Radio are available at http://www.chooseNOWradio.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 8, 2019
Incredible story about life choices
I love that the story didnt skirt away from the difficult truths that happen to us and cause us to slip up as Christians. This story has 2 endings you decide the ending. We worth reading.
I love that the story didnt skirt away from the difficult truths that happen to us and cause us to slip up as Christians. This story has 2 endings you decide the ending. We worth reading.
August 7, 2018
Great story!
I definitely recommend this book for high school age youths. It is a wonderful way to talk about choices. I would read more by this author.
I definitely recommend this book for high school age youths. It is a wonderful way to talk about choices. I would read more by this author.
May 20, 2011
*It's also posted in It's All About Books*
This is one of the first books that I received through Net Galley. The other book is Magna. The publisher combined these two books and put Risky Business as the title. I think I prefer to review it one by one.
In Making Waves, I met Kate Walker. She was left by many people she loved. One of them is Julia, her best friend, who moved to another town. So she has no friend to talk to and shared everything. She still has a great and lovely mother. But it would be different. And that explained why she felt so lonely.
Then one day, Kate decided to join the swim team to ease the pain. Just in one training season, she directly become the stars. In few day, she was already become a part of the team. Her couch prepared her to participate in State competition. No need to wonder why. Kate was a great and avid swimmer. Since then, her schedule become so tight. It made her really exhausted. Then, one offer that sound promising was approached. It made her become so confused. In one side, it could help her get more energy. In other side, she knew it so well, it was illegal. What a dilemma!
I liked many things from this book. It has simple word choice, nice plot and also sweet ending for everyone. There was one scene that touched my heart. My eyes were teary because of it. From all the characters. Kate's mother was my favorite.
Just like in Magna, you can get two different endings in one book. They let you choose. But I did not do it. Because I was just too curious. So I read both of them. I wanted to know how the plot ran for each options.
Cover
The setting is drawn well in the cover. The color combination is also nice. I liked it. But in my imagination, Kate is more beautiful than the model above. However it's not stated in the book.
This is one of the first books that I received through Net Galley. The other book is Magna. The publisher combined these two books and put Risky Business as the title. I think I prefer to review it one by one.
In Making Waves, I met Kate Walker. She was left by many people she loved. One of them is Julia, her best friend, who moved to another town. So she has no friend to talk to and shared everything. She still has a great and lovely mother. But it would be different. And that explained why she felt so lonely.
Then one day, Kate decided to join the swim team to ease the pain. Just in one training season, she directly become the stars. In few day, she was already become a part of the team. Her couch prepared her to participate in State competition. No need to wonder why. Kate was a great and avid swimmer. Since then, her schedule become so tight. It made her really exhausted. Then, one offer that sound promising was approached. It made her become so confused. In one side, it could help her get more energy. In other side, she knew it so well, it was illegal. What a dilemma!
I liked many things from this book. It has simple word choice, nice plot and also sweet ending for everyone. There was one scene that touched my heart. My eyes were teary because of it. From all the characters. Kate's mother was my favorite.
Just like in Magna, you can get two different endings in one book. They let you choose. But I did not do it. Because I was just too curious. So I read both of them. I wanted to know how the plot ran for each options.
Cover
The setting is drawn well in the cover. The color combination is also nice. I liked it. But in my imagination, Kate is more beautiful than the model above. However it's not stated in the book.
June 18, 2010
Review by Jill Williamson
An avid lake swimmer, sophomore Kate Walker tries out for the swimming team. Not only does she make the team, she makes varsity and becomes the best swimmer on the team. Her coach talks with her about the future and the possibilities of college scholarships. Kate is excited, but her new schedule has her so busy, it's hard to keep up. Some of the other girls on the team share their secret with Kate: coffee and energy drinks. Kate knows that her coach probably wouldn't like them drinking so much caffeine, but it's legal, so it's okay, right? But as the season progresses to the state championship and the opportunity to set a new record and impress a college scout, Kate is beyond stresses out. When her teammates offer her a way to get through the day that Kate knows is illegal, what will she do?
You decide.
This is another Choose Your Own Scenario book, where you read all about Kate's life and then choose what she will do next. Then the book has two alternate endings, one for each choice Kate could make.
I love this series! Whether Kate chose to break the law or stay true to her convictions, she was able to push through the consequences and find redemption. The enormity of the choice she faced played out in both endings and showed how much power one right or wrong choice can make in a person's life.
I highly recommend this series to all girls. These are fun stores with relatable characters that give the reader a chance to see two sides of one choice.
An avid lake swimmer, sophomore Kate Walker tries out for the swimming team. Not only does she make the team, she makes varsity and becomes the best swimmer on the team. Her coach talks with her about the future and the possibilities of college scholarships. Kate is excited, but her new schedule has her so busy, it's hard to keep up. Some of the other girls on the team share their secret with Kate: coffee and energy drinks. Kate knows that her coach probably wouldn't like them drinking so much caffeine, but it's legal, so it's okay, right? But as the season progresses to the state championship and the opportunity to set a new record and impress a college scout, Kate is beyond stresses out. When her teammates offer her a way to get through the day that Kate knows is illegal, what will she do?
You decide.
This is another Choose Your Own Scenario book, where you read all about Kate's life and then choose what she will do next. Then the book has two alternate endings, one for each choice Kate could make.
I love this series! Whether Kate chose to break the law or stay true to her convictions, she was able to push through the consequences and find redemption. The enormity of the choice she faced played out in both endings and showed how much power one right or wrong choice can make in a person's life.
I highly recommend this series to all girls. These are fun stores with relatable characters that give the reader a chance to see two sides of one choice.
Read
May 21, 2010I love the concept behind Nicole's books. Tell wonderful stories about girls living through everyday situations and then let the reader choose the outcome.
In each book, a main character eventually has to make hard decision. She must choose to either rely on her faith, the advice and counsel of family or church members OR go along with her peers. Once the reader makes their decision they move to the portion of the book where that story is continued. (I of course read both paths).
Nicole really encourages the reader to think long and hard about what they would REALLY do. Not the easy answer, not the spiritual answer or the answer they know to be right. But, if the reader were in the same situation, what would they do?
As all parents and former teenagers know, young adults don't tend to think ahead or consider the ramifications of their decisions. Nicole's books give the reader that opportunity.
I highly encourage these books for young adults. They are quick and easy reads with a wonderful message!
In each book, a main character eventually has to make hard decision. She must choose to either rely on her faith, the advice and counsel of family or church members OR go along with her peers. Once the reader makes their decision they move to the portion of the book where that story is continued. (I of course read both paths).
Nicole really encourages the reader to think long and hard about what they would REALLY do. Not the easy answer, not the spiritual answer or the answer they know to be right. But, if the reader were in the same situation, what would they do?
As all parents and former teenagers know, young adults don't tend to think ahead or consider the ramifications of their decisions. Nicole's books give the reader that opportunity.
I highly encourage these books for young adults. They are quick and easy reads with a wonderful message!
February 16, 2015
Natural swimmer Katie joins the high school swim team and faces some moral dilemmas. I'm an avid swimmer and lifelong competitor and the sport was portrayed in a way that was believable and easy to relate to and helped me connect deeply with the character. I also felt the moral dilemmas presented were very realistic and some scenes had my stomach in knots because I wanted so badly for her to make the right choices. I am not a big fan of religious reads, but overall this book didn't come across as preachy with one exception... (Spoiler alert) I was disappointed that Katie chose to break off the romance with Mark when they seemed so compatible together. I'm a big believer in true love and it felt like the author was trying to deliver a message that a high school romance is immoral, which bothered me.
August 8, 2010
This book was awesome!
August 19, 2012
Loved every minute of it. I found it really cute
May 23, 2015
Great book to help young women in making choices that may come up, even with good kids in school!
October 18, 2015
This book had a pretty good story line, but I am not a fan of the multiple endings. They were both unoriginal and left a sour taste in my mouth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews