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Sweet Valley High #55
Perfect Shot
People are always telling Shelley Novak that she has everything going for her. She's one of the best basketball players at Sweet Valley High, and she's as tall and graceful as a model. The problem is, being so tall makes Shelley feel like a freak. Until she meets Jim Roberts. He has a way of making her feel special.
But when Jim, a photography buff, starts taking of her, Shelley makes him promise never to show them to anyone. Then the Sweet Valley News sponsors a photography contest and Jim thinks he could win with a photograph of Shelley. But if he's wrong, will Shelley ever forgive him?
But when Jim, a photography buff, starts taking of her, Shelley makes him promise never to show them to anyone. Then the Sweet Valley News sponsors a photography contest and Jim thinks he could win with a photograph of Shelley. But if he's wrong, will Shelley ever forgive him?
137 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1989
18 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,845 followersFrancine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 30, 2011
Welcome to "Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield Ate Up all the Good Self-Esteem in Sweet Valley" or SVH #55, "Perfect Shot."
Meet Shelley Novak. She's a 6 foot tall varsity basketball player at SVH with killer legs, great hair and almond eyes. But she does not have a twin, she is not a size 6, nor does she have blonde hair, so she hates herself. Before I go on, I must say that while I'm snarking on this book I am also doing it with the knowledge that I was once (basically until this year) exactly like Shelley. I hated my body, hair, eyes, stomach, thighs, life. But since I know how batshit insane it is to go around moping all the time, I seem to have lost any real sympathy for Shelley's plight.
Shelley's in love with Greg Hilliard (who??), but when our girl finally works up the nerve to ask him out to the upcoming dance he laughs in her face because she's taller than he is. Does Shelley say, "Fuck him, he shoulda put a ring on it??" Nope. She's not our girl Kristin Thompson, after all. Instead she spends the rest of the book consumed by the emotions of her torrid affair (or something) with Jim Roberts, star photographer. Since Shelley is so self-hating, she can't stand having her picture taken. So when she finds out that Jim took picture of her at a basketball game, she freaks the freak out.
Honestly, my first impression of Jim was that he would be a serial killer. I know I read way too much true crime, but not only do serial killers start out as animal torturers, but they often begin as "amateur photographers." Needless to say, it seemed a bit creepy to me, especially when Jim and Shelley are on Miller's Point and he just whips out his camera all of a sudden. However, it turns out that Jim is one of the more normal SVH guys. I didn't really feel like punching him. In fact, I quite like Shelley and Jim together. But could Shelley have learned to love herself without Jim? Well, this is Sweet Valley, so that's one question that will never be answered.
Anyway, Shelley's mom is really fucking awesome. Jim entered (at Liz and Jeffrey's pretty persuasion, natch) a photography contest for the Oracle using a basketball picture he took of Shelley. She had threatened to castrate him (basically) if he ever showed the photos, but willpower is no match for Liz Wakefield and her boytoy(s). After this shizz goes down, Jim and Shelley spend the rest of the book being insufferable teenagers who just won't talk to each other already! and instead mope and fuss and be annoying. This is when Mrs. Novak steps in and literally tells Shelley that she is pushing people away because she won't shut up, that she will take her daughter to the hospital to show her what REAL problems look like and that she needs to stop feeling sorry for herself. Way to go!!! I honestly wish my parents had had the balls to say such things to me. A little tough love would have made me love myself much sooner. But this is because I am (mostly) a rational human being, unlike Shelley "Halfback" Novak, who, of course, does end up loving herself... through her new boyfriend's eyes. Well. Another typical day in Sweet Valley!
Subplot can be summed up as such:
Jessica dated A.J. Morgan for six (!!!) books. Major news!
Now that she's back to being a part-time whore and full-time sociopath, she has found another boy to crush on. This boy (man, excuse me) is a theater major who plans to open his own dance studio and would be gay if this were real life and not a milquetoast Sweet Valley book. Since he's not gay, he has Jessica and Amy to fight over him. I leave you with this quote from Boy Meets World:
Cory (filming a documentary): Shawn, have you ever been in love?
Shawn: Five times a day.
Meet Shelley Novak. She's a 6 foot tall varsity basketball player at SVH with killer legs, great hair and almond eyes. But she does not have a twin, she is not a size 6, nor does she have blonde hair, so she hates herself. Before I go on, I must say that while I'm snarking on this book I am also doing it with the knowledge that I was once (basically until this year) exactly like Shelley. I hated my body, hair, eyes, stomach, thighs, life. But since I know how batshit insane it is to go around moping all the time, I seem to have lost any real sympathy for Shelley's plight.
Shelley's in love with Greg Hilliard (who??), but when our girl finally works up the nerve to ask him out to the upcoming dance he laughs in her face because she's taller than he is. Does Shelley say, "Fuck him, he shoulda put a ring on it??" Nope. She's not our girl Kristin Thompson, after all. Instead she spends the rest of the book consumed by the emotions of her torrid affair (or something) with Jim Roberts, star photographer. Since Shelley is so self-hating, she can't stand having her picture taken. So when she finds out that Jim took picture of her at a basketball game, she freaks the freak out.
Honestly, my first impression of Jim was that he would be a serial killer. I know I read way too much true crime, but not only do serial killers start out as animal torturers, but they often begin as "amateur photographers." Needless to say, it seemed a bit creepy to me, especially when Jim and Shelley are on Miller's Point and he just whips out his camera all of a sudden. However, it turns out that Jim is one of the more normal SVH guys. I didn't really feel like punching him. In fact, I quite like Shelley and Jim together. But could Shelley have learned to love herself without Jim? Well, this is Sweet Valley, so that's one question that will never be answered.
Anyway, Shelley's mom is really fucking awesome. Jim entered (at Liz and Jeffrey's pretty persuasion, natch) a photography contest for the Oracle using a basketball picture he took of Shelley. She had threatened to castrate him (basically) if he ever showed the photos, but willpower is no match for Liz Wakefield and her boytoy(s). After this shizz goes down, Jim and Shelley spend the rest of the book being insufferable teenagers who just won't talk to each other already! and instead mope and fuss and be annoying. This is when Mrs. Novak steps in and literally tells Shelley that she is pushing people away because she won't shut up, that she will take her daughter to the hospital to show her what REAL problems look like and that she needs to stop feeling sorry for herself. Way to go!!! I honestly wish my parents had had the balls to say such things to me. A little tough love would have made me love myself much sooner. But this is because I am (mostly) a rational human being, unlike Shelley "Halfback" Novak, who, of course, does end up loving herself... through her new boyfriend's eyes. Well. Another typical day in Sweet Valley!
Subplot can be summed up as such:
Jessica dated A.J. Morgan for six (!!!) books. Major news!
Now that she's back to being a part-time whore and full-time sociopath, she has found another boy to crush on. This boy (man, excuse me) is a theater major who plans to open his own dance studio and would be gay if this were real life and not a milquetoast Sweet Valley book. Since he's not gay, he has Jessica and Amy to fight over him. I leave you with this quote from Boy Meets World:
Cory (filming a documentary): Shawn, have you ever been in love?
Shawn: Five times a day.
November 21, 2020
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
In this book we meet Shelley Novak, a five foot nine athlete sensitive about her height. She wants to go to the dance at the Varsity Club but how could anyone ever fancy a tall girl. It's so unheard of. At least according to this book. Her moaning and sensitivity is so unneccessary but it soon disappears when Jim snaps a beautiful photo of her that makes it into a newspaper and she realises she is beautiful! It really is the Hallmark ending we all wanted. Jessica is back to her player ways immediately after her break up with AJ too.
I just...I feel like these books annoy me so much I'd stop reading but I also really enjoy hating them haha.
In this book we meet Shelley Novak, a five foot nine athlete sensitive about her height. She wants to go to the dance at the Varsity Club but how could anyone ever fancy a tall girl. It's so unheard of. At least according to this book. Her moaning and sensitivity is so unneccessary but it soon disappears when Jim snaps a beautiful photo of her that makes it into a newspaper and she realises she is beautiful! It really is the Hallmark ending we all wanted. Jessica is back to her player ways immediately after her break up with AJ too.
I just...I feel like these books annoy me so much I'd stop reading but I also really enjoy hating them haha.
September 7, 2019
2.5 stars
Thankfully there’s not much of Liz doling our advice in this one as Shelley’s friend Cathy and her mum have that job.
Not a massive amount happens but Shelley eventually gains some confidence and feels good about Gerald when she realises she is beautiful... make of that what you will.
My favourite bit was her mum basically telling her to get a grip and if she thought being tall was a problem she’d take her to the children’s hospital to see kids with real problems 😂 go Mrs Novak!
Thankfully there’s not much of Liz doling our advice in this one as Shelley’s friend Cathy and her mum have that job.
Not a massive amount happens but Shelley eventually gains some confidence and feels good about Gerald when she realises she is beautiful... make of that what you will.
My favourite bit was her mum basically telling her to get a grip and if she thought being tall was a problem she’d take her to the children’s hospital to see kids with real problems 😂 go Mrs Novak!
Read
March 15, 2015The 'varsity athlete of the year' can only play well when her boyfriend isn't mad at her, because Sweet Valley.
April 13, 2020
Shelley & Jim are a super cute couple. I loved that Shelley’s athletic achievements got to shine and that she wanted Jim to be known for his photography talents. This was a great example of a healthy relationship and quite a contrast to the one shown in Two Boy Weekend.
November 25, 2022
Perfect Shot:
Shelly Novak is the star of the SVH girls' basketball team! But the court is the only place she feels like she truly shines. Shelly is 6 feet tall and she absolutely HATES it. (Try being a grown woman and people asking are you still in school). And the thing is no one’s even making *complementary* comments to her about her height (and I said that in a sarcastic way). So, it’s really all in her head.
Her mother tries to tell her this and Carol (her girl) tries to tell her this, but when you have insecurity it just doesn’t seem to sink in Anyway, Shelley has her eye on a senior named Greg and as always Greg doesn’t know she exists outside of a platonic friendship. Even though he and his girlfriend broke up he still hangs around her.
For instance, in the ballroom dance class. Amy tells Jessica that there will be ball dancing lessons given. At first, Jessica isn’t into it but she decides to go. The teacher turns out to be hot and both Jessica and Amy fall for him (sighing here we go AGAIN). And they try to outdo each other, each trying to compete for his affection in the class.
Greg and his old girlfriend are also in the class (which has *got* to be driving poor Shelly CRAZY). Anyway, not long into the story, she gets up the courage to ask him to the Senior Awards Banquet and Dance (cause there always has to be a dance). His response “We couldn’t go together, Shel. I’m not tall enough for you. I mean you're already taller than I am. And what if you wore heels? We’d look ridiculous!” WEAK! And mentally I’ve dumped Greg in the useless dumpster of sucky SV men with Bruce, Rick, Peter DeHaven, and the one who just sat there like an idiot while Regine did drugs in front of him.
Of course, going solo isn’t an option since this is SV and if you’re a female and don’t have a other half you might as well commit suicide. She even lets Greg’s rejection affect her game (understandable at this age but just once I wish Shelly’d just say TO HELL WITH HIM! IM FREAKING STAR! I’ ma have NBA teams offering me contracts and ballers gone be knocking down my door showing me off on the red carpet. Greg WHO?!
But of course, this doesn’t happen and she continues to screw up her game (and how many books again have we seen this pathetic scenario with these weak, female, characters?),
So at one of the games, this guy starts snapping pictures of her and she doesn’t like that (because of her EXTREME self-consciousness). There’s a photography contest and Jeffry sees the photos of Shelly He tries to get Jim to enter but he says he’s not interested and he just does it for fun.
Shelly and Jim start to get to know each other and she starts to feel him a lil bit. She tells him she doesn’t really like having her picture taken and he tells her he understands and he won’t do it. Only he lets Jeffry strong-arm him into entering the Jordan esque picture he took of her at the game.
Of course, the picture wins. Of course, Shelly finds out when a classmate tells her. Of course, Shelly gets mad at Jim. Then Jim gets mad at Shelly and says she’s being ridiculous, but he pulls the photo from the contest.
Shelly thinks it over and realizes how important this is to Jim (or is it?) and she goes to Mr. Collins and tells him to resubmit the picture. Jim gets angry all over again because Shelly doesn’t seem to know what she wants. But he tells her it’s all good and he’ll see her around. (I’m dumping Jim in the suck SV guy dumpster with Greg. At least he’ll have a lot of company).
Shelly looks for Jim at a game. He doesn’t show. (I say GOOD RIDDANCE ASS! Now you can photograph your empty room). There’s a big tournament game and at first, Shelly’s all distracted until Jim shows up. This gives her (her) confidence back and they win (rolls eyes). The power of the D saves the day yet again.
Jim apologizes (and I’m still not feeling Jim). Then Greg waltzes his sorry, behind, back trying to get back in, but she tells him she’s with Jim now.
I kind of forgot how exactly this ended. I remember Jim being the one to take the winning shot of all the girl’s players on the basketball team at Shelly’s suggestion. And if there was something else after that well... But that’s the gist of it.
My Thoughts:
This was just… TIRESOME! The best quote in this WHOLE book came from Shelly’s mom who tells her “Next time I hear you complain about your height I’m marching you right over to the children’s hospital so you can see some children born with real problems.” PREACH Mrs. Novak. You better let her know.
I get the picture thing. Some people take pictures SOOOOOO serious. I dated a guy and I had a female friend also that actually got mad cause I didn’t get the shot of what they were trying to photograph right. It’s not that deep to me.
I’m definitely Shelly and I HATE taking pictures and I have since I was a baby. So, while people (like Carol) didn’t understand this some people just don’t like pictures, PERIOD! And it might not seem like a big deal to them, but if someone doesn’t like pictures you should respect that.
I had a guy friend that CONSTANTLY didn’t hear a damn thing I said and ALWAYS wanted me to take pictures and it use to frustrate the hell out of me when he even asked. I couldn’t tell him any clearer I don’t do the picture thing. And just like Shelly the reason for it was an insecurity, and while just like Shelly it might just be in my own head still...
2) Jim was RIDICULOUS! First of all, he doesn’t even *want* to enter the contest in the first place. Then he lets Elizabeth and Jeffry get in his head. If he’s *that* good he didn’t have to enter *that* picture. If he’s *that* good he could have shot something else that would have worked just as well. Shelly asked him not to take her picture. He said he understood and that he wouldn’t, Then you have NO right to get pissy and have a lil stank attitude when she’s pissed at you for doing the thing she asked you not to do. And I’m sorry because you wanted to share how beautiful you think she is with everyone is LAME and it’s WEAK! NO! This is your girlfriend you show her you care about her by LISTENING TO HER and respecting her feelings when she asks you not to do something, she’s uncomfortable with. ACCEPT IT! Who do you care most about Shelly or Jeffry and Elizabeth’s opinions of what you should do?
Then when she tries to be the bigger person you get cold. FOR WHAT? You never should have submitted the picture in the first place. Now you have the NERVE to get an attitude while she’s trying to compromise? BYE JIM! KICK BRICKS!
But then Shelly you get some heat too! While it definitely showed character to put the picture back in, you can’t in an attempt to make a man happy just overlook how they’re thoughtless actions made you feel just for the sake of getting them back. Nor can you let them dictate your emotions.
SMH Sometimes I think these are the WEAKEST bunch of characters. Jim (if you’re thinking this) was not the good guy of the story. He was no better than Greg. Greg was just concerned with his image until the attention was on Shelly for her achievement then he wanted to take her out. Jim didn’t care about Shelly because if he did he would have NEVER let anyone else influence him to upset her. And these “happy endings” where we’re suppose to look past all the previous actions just doesn’t cut it with this one.
Rating: 6
Rating: 6
Shelly Novak is the star of the SVH girls' basketball team! But the court is the only place she feels like she truly shines. Shelly is 6 feet tall and she absolutely HATES it. (Try being a grown woman and people asking are you still in school). And the thing is no one’s even making *complementary* comments to her about her height (and I said that in a sarcastic way). So, it’s really all in her head.
Her mother tries to tell her this and Carol (her girl) tries to tell her this, but when you have insecurity it just doesn’t seem to sink in Anyway, Shelley has her eye on a senior named Greg and as always Greg doesn’t know she exists outside of a platonic friendship. Even though he and his girlfriend broke up he still hangs around her.
For instance, in the ballroom dance class. Amy tells Jessica that there will be ball dancing lessons given. At first, Jessica isn’t into it but she decides to go. The teacher turns out to be hot and both Jessica and Amy fall for him (sighing here we go AGAIN). And they try to outdo each other, each trying to compete for his affection in the class.
Greg and his old girlfriend are also in the class (which has *got* to be driving poor Shelly CRAZY). Anyway, not long into the story, she gets up the courage to ask him to the Senior Awards Banquet and Dance (cause there always has to be a dance). His response “We couldn’t go together, Shel. I’m not tall enough for you. I mean you're already taller than I am. And what if you wore heels? We’d look ridiculous!” WEAK! And mentally I’ve dumped Greg in the useless dumpster of sucky SV men with Bruce, Rick, Peter DeHaven, and the one who just sat there like an idiot while Regine did drugs in front of him.
Of course, going solo isn’t an option since this is SV and if you’re a female and don’t have a other half you might as well commit suicide. She even lets Greg’s rejection affect her game (understandable at this age but just once I wish Shelly’d just say TO HELL WITH HIM! IM FREAKING STAR! I’ ma have NBA teams offering me contracts and ballers gone be knocking down my door showing me off on the red carpet. Greg WHO?!
But of course, this doesn’t happen and she continues to screw up her game (and how many books again have we seen this pathetic scenario with these weak, female, characters?),
So at one of the games, this guy starts snapping pictures of her and she doesn’t like that (because of her EXTREME self-consciousness). There’s a photography contest and Jeffry sees the photos of Shelly He tries to get Jim to enter but he says he’s not interested and he just does it for fun.
Shelly and Jim start to get to know each other and she starts to feel him a lil bit. She tells him she doesn’t really like having her picture taken and he tells her he understands and he won’t do it. Only he lets Jeffry strong-arm him into entering the Jordan esque picture he took of her at the game.
Of course, the picture wins. Of course, Shelly finds out when a classmate tells her. Of course, Shelly gets mad at Jim. Then Jim gets mad at Shelly and says she’s being ridiculous, but he pulls the photo from the contest.
Shelly thinks it over and realizes how important this is to Jim (or is it?) and she goes to Mr. Collins and tells him to resubmit the picture. Jim gets angry all over again because Shelly doesn’t seem to know what she wants. But he tells her it’s all good and he’ll see her around. (I’m dumping Jim in the suck SV guy dumpster with Greg. At least he’ll have a lot of company).
Shelly looks for Jim at a game. He doesn’t show. (I say GOOD RIDDANCE ASS! Now you can photograph your empty room). There’s a big tournament game and at first, Shelly’s all distracted until Jim shows up. This gives her (her) confidence back and they win (rolls eyes). The power of the D saves the day yet again.
Jim apologizes (and I’m still not feeling Jim). Then Greg waltzes his sorry, behind, back trying to get back in, but she tells him she’s with Jim now.
I kind of forgot how exactly this ended. I remember Jim being the one to take the winning shot of all the girl’s players on the basketball team at Shelly’s suggestion. And if there was something else after that well... But that’s the gist of it.
My Thoughts:
This was just… TIRESOME! The best quote in this WHOLE book came from Shelly’s mom who tells her “Next time I hear you complain about your height I’m marching you right over to the children’s hospital so you can see some children born with real problems.” PREACH Mrs. Novak. You better let her know.
I get the picture thing. Some people take pictures SOOOOOO serious. I dated a guy and I had a female friend also that actually got mad cause I didn’t get the shot of what they were trying to photograph right. It’s not that deep to me.
I’m definitely Shelly and I HATE taking pictures and I have since I was a baby. So, while people (like Carol) didn’t understand this some people just don’t like pictures, PERIOD! And it might not seem like a big deal to them, but if someone doesn’t like pictures you should respect that.
I had a guy friend that CONSTANTLY didn’t hear a damn thing I said and ALWAYS wanted me to take pictures and it use to frustrate the hell out of me when he even asked. I couldn’t tell him any clearer I don’t do the picture thing. And just like Shelly the reason for it was an insecurity, and while just like Shelly it might just be in my own head still...
2) Jim was RIDICULOUS! First of all, he doesn’t even *want* to enter the contest in the first place. Then he lets Elizabeth and Jeffry get in his head. If he’s *that* good he didn’t have to enter *that* picture. If he’s *that* good he could have shot something else that would have worked just as well. Shelly asked him not to take her picture. He said he understood and that he wouldn’t, Then you have NO right to get pissy and have a lil stank attitude when she’s pissed at you for doing the thing she asked you not to do. And I’m sorry because you wanted to share how beautiful you think she is with everyone is LAME and it’s WEAK! NO! This is your girlfriend you show her you care about her by LISTENING TO HER and respecting her feelings when she asks you not to do something, she’s uncomfortable with. ACCEPT IT! Who do you care most about Shelly or Jeffry and Elizabeth’s opinions of what you should do?
Then when she tries to be the bigger person you get cold. FOR WHAT? You never should have submitted the picture in the first place. Now you have the NERVE to get an attitude while she’s trying to compromise? BYE JIM! KICK BRICKS!
But then Shelly you get some heat too! While it definitely showed character to put the picture back in, you can’t in an attempt to make a man happy just overlook how they’re thoughtless actions made you feel just for the sake of getting them back. Nor can you let them dictate your emotions.
SMH Sometimes I think these are the WEAKEST bunch of characters. Jim (if you’re thinking this) was not the good guy of the story. He was no better than Greg. Greg was just concerned with his image until the attention was on Shelly for her achievement then he wanted to take her out. Jim didn’t care about Shelly because if he did he would have NEVER let anyone else influence him to upset her. And these “happy endings” where we’re suppose to look past all the previous actions just doesn’t cut it with this one.
Rating: 6
Rating: 6
May 1, 2020
A book that focuses on SVH's star girls basketball player Shelly Novak, Perfect Shot suffers from the same problem that the previous "sports" themed books in the series, wherein the character is described more in how she relates to boys than her sport. Of course, Shelly has horribly low self esteem because she is taller than most of the guys in Sweet Valley, which makes her self-conscious and assured that she is a freak despite being built like a model. When some random that I can't remember ever being mentioned in the series before comes out of the woodwork as a "talented photographer" (I have a hard time remembering when photography took any real skill in today's digital age) notices Shelley and pursues her romatincally, she magically plays better basketball! But when Jimbo takes her photo without permission during a basketball game and it turns out so well that he gets talked into entering it into a photography contest, she loses her damned mind because she hates having her photo taken and without ever having seen the photo, decides she has been embarrassed for life. Will they work things out before Shelley messes up the big championship game? (because without a boy cheering her on, she'll obviously not be as good at sports....sigh). Not a favorite, but not the worst. 2 stars.
January 30, 2022
This was so bad I don’t even think I can hate read this series 😂. The last (thankfully, I think) of my little bundle of nostalgic 80’s books. I used to love this series when I was a tween.
Maybe it’s because our protagonist, Shelley, is a tall girl. And I am also tall and grew up very self conscious thanks to non stop bullying. I just wanted to smack her through this. She wasn’t *that* bullied. She had support, she had friends, she was attractive, she was a very good sports person. I couldn’t for the life of me understand her constant whinging about her height. She had a clear talent that was partly thanks to her height and she was acknowledged and had a good chance of making a career out of it. The constant pity party just drove me nuts.
Hard pass for me on rereading more of these.
Maybe it’s because our protagonist, Shelley, is a tall girl. And I am also tall and grew up very self conscious thanks to non stop bullying. I just wanted to smack her through this. She wasn’t *that* bullied. She had support, she had friends, she was attractive, she was a very good sports person. I couldn’t for the life of me understand her constant whinging about her height. She had a clear talent that was partly thanks to her height and she was acknowledged and had a good chance of making a career out of it. The constant pity party just drove me nuts.
Hard pass for me on rereading more of these.
June 15, 2023
Shelley is the star basketball player on the girls team but struggles with body image issues. When she befriends Jim, a photography with his own confidence issues, maybe Shelley will finally she the strong person she actually is.
Elizabeth helps Jeffrey with a photography contest.
Amy and Jessica fight over a dance instructor.
Overall I enjoyed this book. Shelley's insecurity could be annoying at times but still understandable. We all go through issues with out bodies and sometimes it takes someone to help us see the beauty in ourselves.
Elizabeth helps Jeffrey with a photography contest.
Amy and Jessica fight over a dance instructor.
Overall I enjoyed this book. Shelley's insecurity could be annoying at times but still understandable. We all go through issues with out bodies and sometimes it takes someone to help us see the beauty in ourselves.
December 15, 2021
Beanpole Shelly Novak is only good at basketball, and has very low self esteem regarding her looks. When photographer Jim takes an interest in her, she finds it hard to believe, even more so than when he submits a photo of her to a local photography contest
October 14, 2023
I love the stories about shy characters gaining confidence!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2024
This was one of the more believable instalments of the series. Corny as hell, but rather adorable. Greg is an ass!
June 23, 2025
A very unforgettable book in the series.
March 22, 2018
Warning *Spoilers*
In this book, Shelley is the main person. She's the star on the girl's basketball team, but she's so tall that she feels like a freak! She's very, very self-conscious and can't stand having her picture taken. Jim, a boy who starts really liking her, doesn't understand why she hates having her picture taken! He thinks she's beautiful and he also thinks that if he publishes a photo that she might see herself in a different way. Unfortunately, it just makes her furious and they end up fighting and breaking up. Now Shelley can't focus on basketball, though. In the short time they had been together, she had fallen in love with him and it hurt that he broke his promise to never take any pictures of her. She feels betrayed and he feels terrible about publishing it, but neither one really wants to make the first step to forgive... Until the day of the big game. ^_^
In this book, Shelley is the main person. She's the star on the girl's basketball team, but she's so tall that she feels like a freak! She's very, very self-conscious and can't stand having her picture taken. Jim, a boy who starts really liking her, doesn't understand why she hates having her picture taken! He thinks she's beautiful and he also thinks that if he publishes a photo that she might see herself in a different way. Unfortunately, it just makes her furious and they end up fighting and breaking up. Now Shelley can't focus on basketball, though. In the short time they had been together, she had fallen in love with him and it hurt that he broke his promise to never take any pictures of her. She feels betrayed and he feels terrible about publishing it, but neither one really wants to make the first step to forgive... Until the day of the big game. ^_^
September 29, 2007
again.. its my mom's..long-long time ago.. i luv dis story about a girl who was a camera shy..shelley novak is tall and graceful as a model.being so tall makes shelly feels like a freakk.until she meets jims roberts, a photography buff
October 24, 2010
This series had it all - love, betrayal, sports, high school drama, everything... I was able to live through the lives of the wakefields and their friends, in their sunny california town, no matter what the weather was like for me.
July 11, 2010
I'd like this more if Shelley didn't end the book with every single accolade she was up for in the book, and a few that seemed created just for her. It's overkill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2013
I remember the cover just not the story.
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August 1, 2013Graded By: Erin
Read the drinking game and review here.
Read the drinking game and review here.
August 6, 2014
The one during which I could actually hear the Baby Jesus cry...
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