Five Days of Famous

by Alyson Noel

From "New York Times" bestselling author Alyson Noel comes a fun, adventure-filled, contemporary novel that poses the question what would you do if your dream life became reality?
A dream is a wish your heart makes . . . when your life is in desperate need of a makeover. Nick Dashaway would know. Either he makes it big this year in seventh grade or he risks being a nobody forever.
Enter the Greentree Middle School Talent Show, hosted by teen sensation Josh Frost. The show might just be Nick s ticket out of loserville. But popularity doesn t come easy, and when Nick is forcibly ejected from the stage, he feels like he s out of options. Desperate to avoid a permanent seat at the geek table and continued inattention from the love of his life, Nick chooses the only option he has left: he makes a wish.
""
"Be careful what you wish for, " the old saying goes and Nick s about to find out why. "From the Hardcover edition.""

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Contemporary

304 pages, Library Binding

First published December 13, 2016

About the author

*Note to readers: I'm slowly adding to the long list of books I've read, books I'm reading, and books I want to read. I only add books I loved, hence all my ratings are 5 stars.


Alyson Noël is the #1 NYT best-selling author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed novels for readers of all ages.

With 9 NYT bestsellers and millions of copies in print, her books have been translated into 36 languages, and have topped the NYT, USA Today, LA Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, NCIBA, and Walmart Bestsellers lists, as well as several international bestsellers lists.

She is best known for THE IMMORTALS series, THE RILEY BLOOM series, and SAVING ZOË, which was adapted into a movie now available on Amazon.

Upcoming works include:

RULING DESTINY- book 2, in the STEALING INFINITY series

STEALING INFINITY- Optioned for TV by Valhalla Entertainment - available now!

FIELD GUIDE TO THE SUPERNATURAL UNIVERSE - Optioned for TV by producers Charles Matthau and Michael Zoumas with Andrew Orenstein and Matt Hastings attached as show runners

Born and raised in Orange County, California, she’s lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled in Southern California. Learn more at www.alysonnoel.com.

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/alyson_noel

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AlysonNoel/

Facebook:
Official me: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyson...

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/alysonnoel/

Reviews

[Marine · Rating 2 out of 5]

La morale de l'histoire est mignonne mais le style n'est pas fou et il y a beaucoup de fautes qui sont passées à la trappe à la relecture.

[Manuela Bustamante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever imagined how different it would be if you have the life of your dreams? This book is about a boy called Nick Dashaway who hangs out with his geek friends, and he has always wanted to be a popular guy that everyone likes to be with. He wishes to be like a famous singer called Josh Frost. One day, the bus Nick took to get home drops him in an entirely different life. All of his friends and family are there, but they are different and famous, so Nick can’t have any privacy and he starts to miss his nerd friends and family who loved him because of who he was. Do you think Nick can go to his old lifestyle back in Greentree?

The setting of the book is in a town called Greentree that’s where Nick and his friends and family live. The story is in Nick Dashaway, who is the main character of the book, point of view and he tells the story. The author’s style was so chatty, and sometimes awestruck because it was informal but at the same time it sounds amazed about Nick’s life. I know that Nick was trapped in a completely different world where he couldn’t be himself, so that made me feel sad for him because what’s the point of having the life of your dreams and not being able to be yourself? Finally, this wasn’t one of my favorite books because it was really hard to understand and the characters were vaguely described so it was very difficult to differentiate them.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that makes you realize that sometimes the life you think you want is not as great as the life you have now.

[Anaïs · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I actually read this book in the french version 'Le plus beau des voeux' so I can't actually judge the english version of the book as the writing style has changed because of it. But what I can say is that the french version of the book is beautifly written and that you really enjoy reading the book also the words that are sometimes put in the book form a very poetic kind of style and the story is a realy strong one with a beatiful life lesson.
https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.c...

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Five Days of Famous' is a fun middle grade contemporary novel that answers the age-old question of what would happen if wishes actually came true. The story follows main character Nick Dashaway as he wishes his way into a cooler existence - literally. He's sick of being ignored and only thought of as a huge nerd by his classmates. Nick believes his big chance to change it all is about to happen when teen superstar Josh Frost comes to town to judge the middle school's talent contest. Nick is sure he can win - and then transcend into the cool crowd - where he belongs. Except everything blows up in his face. Nick's only remaining hope is to use his birthday wish to change his life - and it actually comes true. But the perfect life he dreamed of is far from what he receives, and the reader gets to experience and learn from all of his mistakes right alongside him.

Nick is a great main character for the book. He was easy to connect with right from the beginning of the story, and even though I'm much older than he is - I found I could empathize with his problems without any issue. The author portrays Nick in a realistic way - complete with teen obstacles, bad attitudes, mean thoughts and actions, and other kinds of teenage angst. I thought that some of the things Nick thought and said were pretty cruel and even rude at times, but I guess I'm just forgetting the actual thoughts of kids in these times. Also, it was probably part of the author's point that we find some of the things done and said to be wrong, so that Nick and the reader can learn from them later on in the story. Aside from the obvious fantastical parts of the plot, the book was down to earth and full of great lessons. I loved how Nick's wish came true, but he realizes that things wouldn't be all that he dreamed if things happened that way. The author presents wonderful real life situations that the reader can learn from and apply to their own lives, alongside the crazy ride that Nick finds himself on. I can definitely see this novel being turned into a fantastic movie! I highly recommend it for fans of the genre along with readers who enjoy a great blend of contemporary and fantasy.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventh grader Nick Dashaway is ready to leave everything about his current status far behind. His friends Dougall and Plum are simply not cool enough to bring along for the ride as he plots to elevate his social status. One way or the other, Tinsley Barnes, an attractive classmate on whom he has eyes set, is going to have to notice him, and he knows he can attract a better quality of friends. After losing his bid for fame during the school talent show, Nick takes an unexpected trip to Tinsel Hills, thanks to a magical birthday candle provided by Plum. At first, Nick loves all the fame, adoration, and wealth that come his way in this very different world and never plans to leave it. He has a return ticket to the real world of Greentree, but he has no plans to use it. During his time in Tinsel Hills, though, he comes to realize that much of what he thinks is the truth is not and that he can't trust anyone around him. After all, most of them want to pander to his needs, and others plan to use him. Even his romance with Tinsley turns out to be a set-up, and Nick becomes fed up with all of it, and wants to return home. The author really nails her characters perfectly and somehow manages to elicit sympathy for Nick, a tough act to pull off, given his self-absorption and dismissive ways at the start of the story. As is the case of those perennial holiday classics, A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, Nick eventually realizes that the life he was living wasn't all that terrible after all and that he should enjoy the moments he is living rather than pining away for something that he cannot have. The fact that his family, his mother especially, is obsessed with the holiday so much so that he and his sister Holly owe their names to that obsession, made me laugh as did the passages concerning the family dog, Sir Dasher Dashaway. and his farting. This one will entertain middle grade readers while also making them look at fame and the celebrities they admire so much in a different light.

[Léa Diouris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le début est vraiment long et agaçant... mais à partir d’un moment on se prend à l’histoire qui devient sympathique. Ce n’est pas un « grand » roman mais il est léger avec une belle morale, une fois la bonne première partie passée.

Chronique : http://lectureavie.blogspot.fr/2018/0...

[Hélène Culturall · Rating 3 out of 5]

 C’est une lecture qui me tentait beaucoup en cette période de fêtes de fin d’année évoquées ici au travers de l’histoire du jeune Nick. On retrouve dans ce livre une histoire plutôt semblable aux téléfilms de Noël avec des allures de contes féériques. Nick, fils d’une famille modeste et simple dont les parents tiennent une droguerie, est au collège. Suite à un concours de chant organisé dans son établissement, il va apprendre qu’il n’a pas été retenu en raison de son apparence physique qui « présente » mal sur scène. Face à cette injustice, Nick va donc faire un vœu sans grande conviction et pourtant… La magie de Noël va le surprendre plus qu’il ne le pensait.

A mon sens, c’est une lecture agréable qui colle parfaitement avec la periode hivernale dont la thématique m’a beaucoup touchée. Sont notamment évoquées la famille, la tolérance et la popularité, l’apparence et les difficultés de l’adolescence entre autres choses. Au cours de cette histoire le jeune Nick et ses proches vont faire face à des choix. Devenir populaire, beau et riche au détriment de sa famille et ceux qui l’aiment est-ce vraiment le plus grand souhait de l’ado ? J’ai aussi beaucoup apprécié la morale qui découle de cette histoire bien qu’on retrouve quelques clichés américains comme le fait d’être populaire, les grandes télé-réalité, et certaines scènes démesurées.

C’est globalement une lecture que je conseille chaudement aux adolescentes entre 12 et 15 ans à la recherche de leur identité, ou tout adulte resté un grand enfant ayant envie d’une lecture douce pour la période de fin d’année.

 

[Karine Darnessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ayant adoré la série des chasseurs d'âmes de l'auteure, j'ai voulu découvrir ce tome unique car à sa sortie, il m'avait fait de l’œil.
C'est une lecture agréable, mais je m'attendais a autre chose. Je m'attendais a plus d'humour, plus de situation qui prête a rire. Mais en faite , l'auteure a plutôt basculé du côté plus sérieux et réel de la célébrité. Ce qui est bien aussi. J'ai bien aimé aussi ce point de vue là. Par contre, quand on sait que les personnages principaux de ce livre on douze ans et qu'ils pense déjà à avoir un ou une petit.e ami.e. Cela m'a un peu agacé. On vit déjà dans un monde où on sexualise beaucoup la vie de tout les jours plus les questions débiles aux enfants de 5 ans type: Tu as une petite copine?... et j'en passe de ce genre d'ineptie qui ne devrait pas concerner les petits et les laisser profiter de leur enfance et"innocence", de leur joie de vivre. Bref, ça ma casser les pieds.
A côté de ça, l'histoire est bien. On voit les coulisses pas si reluisants de la célébrité, des faux-semblants, des profiteurs, etc... Cette partie-ci m'a bien plu.
Pour finir, ce n'est pas une histoire transcendante, mais elle est plaisante à lire. La fin à eu au moins le mérite de conclure parfaitement cette aventure pour Nick, mais je reste quand même sur ma faim.

[Dierdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Year old Nick Dashaway dreams of a life makeover, but as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for, it might come true. Nick enters a talent contest at his middle school, hosted by a teen singing sensation that is a former student of the school, that he is sure will change his life. Things don't go exactly as he has planned, but with the help of a magic birthday cupcake, he gets to see things in a different light. This book was a cute, albeit predictable read. The writer's style is accessible and I can see the appeal for middle grade readers. The main character and his friends seemed a bit older than 12-13 to me, more like 15 year olds, but the content is still appropriate for tweens. Overall enjoyable and kept my attention.

[Andrée-Ann L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that I would have liked when I was 9 or 10. I should've done some research before picking it up since I used it as a part of a school project. The only thing I really liked about this book is the cover that kind of lured me into reading it.

[Megan Kinderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm an adult reading a children's book. Bit sickening for me but tweens might like it. The protagonist is a male but, to stereotype, this might be more suited to girls.

[HALIMA Elyoussoufi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lecture pas appréciée trop banale à mon gout.

[Malak bouchara]

read in 2020 and realized it was a kids book

[LuCioLe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depuis que j’ai vu cette cover je n’avais qu’une hâte le lire ! Il faut dire que j’adore lire les livres de noël en cette période. J’avoue que j’ai finalement eu du mal avec le démarrage, beaucoup de mal à rentrer dedans surtout à cause de son héros, Nick, odieux au possible ! Il n’a pas réussit un concours de chant et il en veut à la terre entière et surtout n’a qu’une envie se séparer de ses amis qui ne sont pas assez cool pour lui ! Finalement, quand on poursuit on rentre dedans et on se rend compte que le roman surfe sur ce que l’on connaît, un vœu se réalise et il vit une nouvelle vie pendant quelques jours avec la possibilité de retourner dans son “ancienne vie” au bout de 5 jours s’il change d’avis. Nick a donc tout ce qu’il a toujours voulu : la célébrité, l’argent, des amis cool, il chante et fait même de la télé réalité, des pubs mais également à ses propres marques ! Bref, il a tout ! On le voit changer au cours de l’histoire et se rendre compte que l’argent ne fait pas le bonheur comme on dit. Il devient un peu plus réaliste sur les gens qui l’entouraient dans son vrai chez lui. C’est partie de l’histoire m’a fait plus accroché sur son personnage, il a regagné en intérêt. On se doute bien de comment va finir l’histoire puisque ce genre d’histoires a été utilisées des tonnes de fois mais bon on ne se lasse pas.

En résumé, Le Plus Beau des Voeux est un roman sympathique, plus tourné pour les adolescents je trouve mais qui plait en cette saison hivernale. Si vous êtes fan des histoires de noël ce roman est fait pour vous.

[Celeste_pewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Hollywood:

We’ve had a rocky relationship recently, you and I. I’ve been increasingly disappointed in your unrelenting slate of remakes; you’ve been quietly concerned about my less-than-stellar track attendance at the theaters.

But I’m writing to tell you how you can make it up to me. How, you ask? By making Five Days of Famous, into a feature film. It’s a middle grade novel by the incomparable Alyson Noël, detailing the misadventures of a almost-thirteen-year-old named Nick Dashaway.

Nick’s intelligent and driven, but being clever doesn’t necessarily get you the girl when you’re a tween. So when a friend’s birthday gift allows him to make a wish, he does – landing in an alternate universe, where he’s living out the life of a pop star. But Nick quickly realizes that being rich and famous comes with conditions that he isn’t sure he wants…

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Why this story? First things first: it’s because we need more introspective stories for younger audiences.

I know that superhero movies are all the rage right now – and trust me, I will never tire of Captain America – but Noël’s story is a much-needed one, providing an introspective look at the uncertainty that young tweens go through, when they’re trying to balance innate drive and the desire to be liked.

Nick’s journey, as he goes from questioning the merits of his actual life, to the wish-fulfilled pop star life are funny and eye-opening, as he learns about personal relationships, and what he wants and doesn’t want from life. Noël has some genuinely spectacular dialogue detailing Nick’s transformation, which would sound amazing verbalized out loud. Ultimately, his growth will help readers reexamine their own lives too. Don't you want to see this type of compelling story on the screen?

(I know he's a little too old, but younger Tom Holland would be perfect for Nick. So why not go for a Tom Holland type?)

While I’m not going to spoil the ending for you – because hey, if you’re going adapt it, you’ve got to read it, right? But I’m telling you now, this is the project Hollywood needs. With a hint of magic, some strong friendships and some amazing writing, this is the book (and the film!) we need now.

Love,

Me

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

http://www.my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/201...

Cela faisait bien longtemps que je n’avais pas lu de roman de Alyson Noël. Un petit retour en arrière après l’avoir découverte avec la série Eternels et son roman L’été où ma vie a changé. Le plus beau des vœux, m’a conquise avec sa magnifique couverture et son résumé alléchant. Idéal pour la saison, j’avais bien envie de découvrir Nick Dashaway et son vœu.

Déjà, c’est un vrai plaisir de retrouver la plume d’Alyson Noël. Après toute ses années, j’aime toujours autant son style et ses histoires. Le plus beau des vœux, c’est l’histoire de Nick, treize ans, invisible et pourtant talentueux qui rêve de devenir comme son idole. Un rêve dans lequel il pourrait bien être projeté suite à un vœu fait en soufflant une bougie.

Au départ, j’ai eu un peu de mal avec notre personnage principal, Nick. Du haut de ses treize ans, il rêve de popularité et de richesse quitte à mal se comporter avec ses « amis » Dougall et Plum. Après un désastre lors du concours de chant de son collège, il perd tout espoir de voir son rêve devenir réalité. Pourtant, du jour au lendemain, se retrouver dans cette vie qu’il a tant voulu va amplifier son côté superficiel et sa volonté d’être adulé par tout le monde.

Finalement, Le plus beau des vœux, nous montre ici que ce que l’on pense vouloir au fond de nous n’est pas forcément ce qui nous plairai vraiment. Si Nick trouve sa nouvelle vie « cool » et profite de ces cinq jours pour séduire la fille qui lui plait depuis toujours, il se rend finalement compte que l’argent et la célébrité ne font pas tout. L’auteure nous ouvre les yeux en même temps que son personnage sur les choses essentielles de la vie. Au fil des pages, Nick va s’affirmer et grandir pour prendre les choix qui s’imposent.

Le plus beau des vœux est une lecture parfaite pour la fin d’année. Un roman qui parle de famille, d’amitié et de vœux, le tout dans un décor de Noël qui nous montre que tout est possible lorsque l’on s’en donne les moyens.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nick Dashaway is in 7th grade and wants to be cool. But, he is a self proclaimed Brainiac, social groups have already formed, and he is considered (by his own account) a geek. If he could just win the talent show . . . but even that is elusive. Now it’s Christmas break and he is working at his dad’s hardware store. Nick has hit rock bottom, he was seen in the reindeer sweater his mom made him, and a picture was probably posted to social media. Nick hates his life, and makes a wish for a “different, better, much cooler life” After a rather strange trolley ride, Nick finds himself in Hollywood - - he’s rich, famous and surrounded with all the same people, but fame and success have changed them. Nick has 5 days to decide if he wants his old life back.

This debut novel is a little slow to get into - so much teen angst (and from a boy no less), and the Christmas theme was a little too much (names like Dashaway, Plum, Turtledove, Ezer). Also, he’s 12 (almost 13) While the super young age comes into play a little bit, the scenario would have been better had he been a little older (fans, girlfriends, love songs etc.) But, on the bright side, the glimpse at what your “dream come true” really looks like is a great Christmas message. Now, the book doesn’t look Christmassy, so you’d need to promote it as a Christmas read.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Nick thinks he’s got what it takes to be the next big teen heartthrob. When auditions roll into town for a chance at fame, Nick jumps at the chance. When things don’t go his way, he makes a wish, one that he almost can’t take back. This novel was firstly, really fast-paced and the reader found themselves flying through this story, but it was also missing something. Sure, this novel was good and it had a good moral plotline, but it felt very cookie cutter and basic. A kid who wants all the fame, gets the fame only to find out he doesn’t really want the fame just felt really predictable. The only thing that really made this novel stand out was the fact that it was centred around Christmas, that added a warm touch to the story. The characters were your typical tweens, there wasn’t really anything memorable about them. The journey Nick went on was good, but feels like it’s been done before. The secondary characters felt really two dimensional and only felt like their purpose was for Nick to feel like he was better than them; he does come to appreciate the people in his life, but it takes time to get there. All in all, this was a decent novel with a lesson to be learned.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this book gave you an insight into the life of a teen star. How manipulative tv shows can be & must be taken with a grain of salt. Also teaches kids to stop wanting to be with the popular kids and appreciate true friends, learn to love the imperfections of life and be happy right where they are.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh - starting to feel like when you've read one body-swapping drama, you've read them all. And I didn't like the protagonist here, so this one was a bit of a slog for me. Likely to have its fans, though.

Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate to rate a writer's hard work so low, but it just didn't work for me at all. The beginning needed to be more engaging and cause me to want to continue reading. The story and dialog felt off and not authentic. Sorry....nothing new or exciting in this story.

[Anna McFadden]

remember the saying about watching what you wish for because it may come true. and the grass is always greener on the other side. well atleast thats what Nick Dashaway believes when a local boy turn superstar comes home for Christmas and to judge the talent show feom his old school. right now Nick is a nobody but always dream of not being the most popular student, famous singer and have the hottest girlfriend until he makes a wish and is taking to a new life where he learns that rhings arent always what they seem.