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Hot Girl
It's summertime in Bed-Stuy "Do or Die" Brooklyn, and Kate is feeling down in the dumps. Not only is she tired of her raggedy, tomboy image, but she's also missing her best friend, Felicia, who's away for the summer. Lonely and not exactly getting along with her new foster mother, Lynn, Kate so badly wants to be out and about, twirling pretty, and partying---and maybe catching the attention of her longtime crush, Charles. Opportunity knocks one hot summer day when fly-girl Naleejah struts her stuff straight up to Kate and takes a seat. Full of smiles, Naleejah tells Kate that she remembers her from school, but Kate can't remember ever having such a fabulous chick trying to befriend her. Kate's suspicion turns to trust once Naleejah gives her a much-needed makeover. Now a brand-new Kate suddenly has the attention of her dream boy. But is Naleejah checking for him, too? Against Kate's better judgment, she ignores the warning signs, and continues to let Naleejah lead her down a treacherous path. Soon, what seems like a fun and exciting summer ends up being a harsh reality check. Now Kate must decide how to get back on the right track . . . or is it already too late?
214 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2008
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2018 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 16, 2014
Originally, I thought that "Hot Girl", by Dream Jordan, was going to be more about a girl that thought she was the best at everything. I was wrong and this book caught my attention in the very first few pages and I could not stop reading this book.
In the beginning of the story, Kate is unhappy and feels lonely, but as the book progresses her character begins to develop because of all the moments that she spends with her foster mother Lynn and Charles, the boy she likes. This help her realize the meaning of being in a family who loves her.
Charles, who is the boy she likes, only likes her after she changes the way she dresses and the way she acts. Just because Kate doesn't want to have relations with him, he goes to Naleejah her "best friend" during summer, but Kate finds out and doesn't want to be his girl anymore or Naleejah friend.
This exhilarating novel speaks of the true meaning of being yourself and having a family that truly loves you.
"Hot Girl", by Dream Jordan is an amazing book. The end really catches the readers attention. Again like in the beginning. Set aside some time and read this amazing novel.
In the beginning of the story, Kate is unhappy and feels lonely, but as the book progresses her character begins to develop because of all the moments that she spends with her foster mother Lynn and Charles, the boy she likes. This help her realize the meaning of being in a family who loves her.
Charles, who is the boy she likes, only likes her after she changes the way she dresses and the way she acts. Just because Kate doesn't want to have relations with him, he goes to Naleejah her "best friend" during summer, but Kate finds out and doesn't want to be his girl anymore or Naleejah friend.
This exhilarating novel speaks of the true meaning of being yourself and having a family that truly loves you.
"Hot Girl", by Dream Jordan is an amazing book. The end really catches the readers attention. Again like in the beginning. Set aside some time and read this amazing novel.
November 5, 2013
Jordan's purpose in writing her book, Hot Girl, is to show young girls that you should be yourself and not let anyone try to change you. The problems you face only make you stronger. People can overcome anything if you put your mind to it. It also teaches us to be careful of who we put our trust into, because not everyone is loyal. People will sometimes try to influence you in the wrong way and it gets you into trouble. But it helps readers understand that someone shouldn't change themselves for anyone. They're perfect the way they are.
This book has a good impact on its readers. The reader learns that you struggle in life for a reason and that eventually they'll get past it with the right help along the way. If someone is surrounding themselves with good people then mostly likely they won't get into trouble and pick up good habits. By the end of the book it teaches the reader to strive to be better and not change for anyone. If you have to change for people then they're probably not worth the trouble. It leaves us believing in ourselfs and wanting to do what's right for us.
Hot Girl is well written, but it does reference some slang words used by young people. It's an easy read that you can pretty much breeze your way through. Of course it's a higher level of reading, but it's not meant to be difficult to understand. As the main character, Kate, described one of the girls she say walking by, she said "she had on fizzy-fly clothes. I mean I felt flattered by her attention, but I was still confused" (Jordan 7). The author uses very descriptive words throughout the book. The reader isn't left wondering what a certain character looks like because they're always described in detail. The author makes sure what ever is happing is clear to the reader.
This was a very captivating book because although it's an easy reader, you always want to know what might happen next. The main character gets herself in tricky situations throughout the story and has to get herself out of them. The reader wonders what choice someone is about to make, or who might pop up next. I could relate to the main character Kate because she knows who she is but she lost touch with herself for a little while. Some times people try to influence you too much and basically "make you think something was wrong with you" which isn't the case at all (Jordan 213). This was a dramatic book with various funny moments. But it's very relatable.
The greatest strength of this book was that it's relatable and everyone has problems with the people they surround themselves with. The greatest weekness of the book is that it seems like it only appeals to a particular audience because of the content. I would recommend this book to a friend because it teaches a life lesson about friendship and making the right decisions for yourself. The main character goes through a lot but when she finally relizes who her true friends are, she knows "this is how friendship should feel from now on" (Jordan 214). It's not about who does the most for you, it's about who's always there for you no matter what. Which is something to always keep in mind when we think about our friends.
This book has a good impact on its readers. The reader learns that you struggle in life for a reason and that eventually they'll get past it with the right help along the way. If someone is surrounding themselves with good people then mostly likely they won't get into trouble and pick up good habits. By the end of the book it teaches the reader to strive to be better and not change for anyone. If you have to change for people then they're probably not worth the trouble. It leaves us believing in ourselfs and wanting to do what's right for us.
Hot Girl is well written, but it does reference some slang words used by young people. It's an easy read that you can pretty much breeze your way through. Of course it's a higher level of reading, but it's not meant to be difficult to understand. As the main character, Kate, described one of the girls she say walking by, she said "she had on fizzy-fly clothes. I mean I felt flattered by her attention, but I was still confused" (Jordan 7). The author uses very descriptive words throughout the book. The reader isn't left wondering what a certain character looks like because they're always described in detail. The author makes sure what ever is happing is clear to the reader.
This was a very captivating book because although it's an easy reader, you always want to know what might happen next. The main character gets herself in tricky situations throughout the story and has to get herself out of them. The reader wonders what choice someone is about to make, or who might pop up next. I could relate to the main character Kate because she knows who she is but she lost touch with herself for a little while. Some times people try to influence you too much and basically "make you think something was wrong with you" which isn't the case at all (Jordan 213). This was a dramatic book with various funny moments. But it's very relatable.
The greatest strength of this book was that it's relatable and everyone has problems with the people they surround themselves with. The greatest weekness of the book is that it seems like it only appeals to a particular audience because of the content. I would recommend this book to a friend because it teaches a life lesson about friendship and making the right decisions for yourself. The main character goes through a lot but when she finally relizes who her true friends are, she knows "this is how friendship should feel from now on" (Jordan 214). It's not about who does the most for you, it's about who's always there for you no matter what. Which is something to always keep in mind when we think about our friends.
April 27, 2010
Meet Kate, a girl who's a lot harder than her super vanilla name suggests. She's already been in and out of a gang, plus a couple foster homes, by the time the story starts. But she's trying to stay on track. The problem is, her brainy best friend is in South Africa for the summer, so she doesn't have any trustworthy people to hang with.
So she ends up hanging with Naleejah. Naleejah has Gucci bags, great hair, and lots of guys. Interestingly, Kate's not impressed by that. She spends most of the story being disgusted with Naleejah, but she can't quite extricate herself from the "friendship," because she keeps accepting Naleejah's offers to do her hair and let her borrow better clothes. Especially on days when she expects to see a certain guy.
So here's my question. I found the story to be a little didactic, but do I just need to get over that? I love YA books that are ambivalent about truth, that don't honor the authority of adults, and that raise more questions than they answer. But if an author sets out to write something between a cautionary tale and an inspirational story, should I evaluate the book on the basis of how well the author succeeds?
If I were to do that, I would still say that Sharon Flake does it better. But Dream Jordan does it well. And I think her next book might be even better, because this one got better as it went along. The one thing I hope for Dream Jordan's next book: a little less internal monologue. I feel like the author isn't so much creating a character as writing a script for her readers: this is how you can respond positively to all the pressures around you. The reader doesn't need to know every thought that flits through Kate's head.
So she ends up hanging with Naleejah. Naleejah has Gucci bags, great hair, and lots of guys. Interestingly, Kate's not impressed by that. She spends most of the story being disgusted with Naleejah, but she can't quite extricate herself from the "friendship," because she keeps accepting Naleejah's offers to do her hair and let her borrow better clothes. Especially on days when she expects to see a certain guy.
So here's my question. I found the story to be a little didactic, but do I just need to get over that? I love YA books that are ambivalent about truth, that don't honor the authority of adults, and that raise more questions than they answer. But if an author sets out to write something between a cautionary tale and an inspirational story, should I evaluate the book on the basis of how well the author succeeds?
If I were to do that, I would still say that Sharon Flake does it better. But Dream Jordan does it well. And I think her next book might be even better, because this one got better as it went along. The one thing I hope for Dream Jordan's next book: a little less internal monologue. I feel like the author isn't so much creating a character as writing a script for her readers: this is how you can respond positively to all the pressures around you. The reader doesn't need to know every thought that flits through Kate's head.
September 6, 2010
I wasn't impressed-- I actually expected some sex and a little more pimping-- instead it's actually a mild-mannered story of a girl, Kate (who would loved to be called Diamond around her way) who has been bounced from foster to foster family and now must deal with her best friend's absence when she becomes friends with a new girl Najeelah who turns Kate back into the girl she doesn't want to become. But, Kate gets a grip sooner than later and finds herself again-- knowing that she's not sleeping with the boy of her dreams because he's just got some from her supposed friend among other bad girls habits she had back in the day.
The cover will attract the girls and much of the conversation and attitude of the characters will keep them there-- so for a school library I'm happy that it's rated PG-13.
The cover will attract the girls and much of the conversation and attitude of the characters will keep them there-- so for a school library I'm happy that it's rated PG-13.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Kate is fourteen and has grown up in the foster care system in New York. She's finally living in an environment that is pretty stable, as far as foster care goes. She lives with Lynn and Ted and she actually has her own room. That's never happened before. So why would she want to ruin such a good thing?
It's the summer and her best friend, Felicia, has gone on a two-month trip to South Africa. Kate had the chance to go with her, but when she found out some girls that were giving her trouble in the past were also going on the trip, Kate pulled herself out. She's regretting her decision, because she's stuck in the city with no one to hang with.
Kate is hanging out at a basketball court watching her homeboy, Charles, play ball with his buddies. While she's sitting in the bleachers, a fly girl (a very hip, together gal) strolls into the stands and sits down with her. The girl starts chatting up Kate and sounding very cool and grown up. This is how Naleejah enters Kate's life and changes her summer. Though the changes might not all be for the better.
Naleejah has the hottest clothes, knows how to dress and look perfect, and, most importantly to Kate, how to get the guys. Kate's never had a boyfriend and doesn't have the funds to plan her own make-over. But with Naleejah's know-how and help, soon Kate transforms into a hot girl. Kate loves how fly she looks now, but her foster parents are concerned that she's dealing drugs.
As the summer simmers by, Kate has to evaluate her friendship with Naleejah. Kate is starting to realize that she's always following Naleejah's plans and never getting the respect she deserves from the friendship. She misses her friend Felicia terribly, and her situation in her foster home is tenuous at best.
When she finally starts getting the attention from Charles she's always craved (since second grade), Kate makes some hard decisions that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
HOT GIRL is a story of a strong girl stuck in a situation that's far from her control. She doesn't have to let the foster care system turn her into a girl of the streets if she chooses to make the right decisions. Ms. Jordan's novel is a blunt and straightforward look at the hard life faced by inner city children stuck in the system. It's not an easy portrait, but Kate is a strong role model for any girl in a similar situation.
Kate is fourteen and has grown up in the foster care system in New York. She's finally living in an environment that is pretty stable, as far as foster care goes. She lives with Lynn and Ted and she actually has her own room. That's never happened before. So why would she want to ruin such a good thing?
It's the summer and her best friend, Felicia, has gone on a two-month trip to South Africa. Kate had the chance to go with her, but when she found out some girls that were giving her trouble in the past were also going on the trip, Kate pulled herself out. She's regretting her decision, because she's stuck in the city with no one to hang with.
Kate is hanging out at a basketball court watching her homeboy, Charles, play ball with his buddies. While she's sitting in the bleachers, a fly girl (a very hip, together gal) strolls into the stands and sits down with her. The girl starts chatting up Kate and sounding very cool and grown up. This is how Naleejah enters Kate's life and changes her summer. Though the changes might not all be for the better.
Naleejah has the hottest clothes, knows how to dress and look perfect, and, most importantly to Kate, how to get the guys. Kate's never had a boyfriend and doesn't have the funds to plan her own make-over. But with Naleejah's know-how and help, soon Kate transforms into a hot girl. Kate loves how fly she looks now, but her foster parents are concerned that she's dealing drugs.
As the summer simmers by, Kate has to evaluate her friendship with Naleejah. Kate is starting to realize that she's always following Naleejah's plans and never getting the respect she deserves from the friendship. She misses her friend Felicia terribly, and her situation in her foster home is tenuous at best.
When she finally starts getting the attention from Charles she's always craved (since second grade), Kate makes some hard decisions that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
HOT GIRL is a story of a strong girl stuck in a situation that's far from her control. She doesn't have to let the foster care system turn her into a girl of the streets if she chooses to make the right decisions. Ms. Jordan's novel is a blunt and straightforward look at the hard life faced by inner city children stuck in the system. It's not an easy portrait, but Kate is a strong role model for any girl in a similar situation.
March 2, 2017
3.5 Stars. The book was a good read. It teaches that you need to be yourself and believe in yourself. Looking at someone on the outside, they may look like that have it all together but there are a few pieces missing. I would definitely recommend this to younger girls.
October 17, 2018
This book is really good. When you read it you feel like Kate is talking to you. She tells you her emotions and how she thinks. She struggles with self-love because she’s tired of her tom-boy image and everyone seeing her that way especially her crush. While she struggles with her insecurities she has a crush on her “homeboy” but so does the pretty girl she hates.
August 11, 2019
It was good, but took me a while to read because I would get kind of bored of it.
January 8, 2013
This small novel written for teenagers will change how you pick your friends.The story is mainly about a girl named Kate and how she spent a summer learning many lessons. Kate was no ordinary girl. She was very smart but that summer she really wasn’t using her brain. Naleeja came and erupted Kate’s world, but their friendship couldn’t last. Naleeja or should I say “Bertha,” was too different and didn’t know how to be a friend. Charles, on the other hand was Kate’s long time crush. She trusted him but he betrayed her in ways you could not believe. Kate’s foster father, Ted, was nice to her and always talked to her about anything. On the other hand Lynn was a massive pain in the butt. She got on Kate’s case about anything and everything. In the Johnson foster home, Kate only finally find her true self.
This book caught my attention very quickly. It reminded me of high school girls. I like the fact that Kate made mistakes because her mistakes only made her stronger and it was easier for me to relate to her. She really learned how to keep most thoughts to herself and that she was grateful for the things she received. I don’t think that someone can buy forgiveness.You should never judge a person, but Naleeja made it easy for others to judge her. Naleeja does things to have other females talk about her; Her attitude, choice of clothing, and her confendence,( rather, her arrogance). I disapprove of the ways she uses her body to get what she wanted and tried to get Kate to do the same. The book has a lot of drama, but it is easy for younger females to relate to and understand what is going on.
A self-to text connection I had with the book was when Kate watched Charles play basketball and she got really into it. Kate yelled, “Yo, Charlie what are you waiting for? Don’t hold the ball. Dunk it like a doughnut,” (Jordan 2). I get that way sometimes when I’m reading a book. Kate wanted Charlie to dunk the ball in the hoop right away so the team can score. When I’m reading, I get to the point where I want the author to hurry up and get to the good part.
The book also reminded me of a lot of females in high school. When it comes to a girl flirting with a boy and one of his friends comes walking up asking what’s the holdup, their reaction is just like Kate’s, “Hmm, I thought angrily, wasn’t the ‘holdup’ obvious,” (Jordan 17). I see girls flirting with boys all the time, but when their friends come and inturrupt them seem to get irritated.
The most common thing you will hear from teenagers is “I got ninety-nine problems and a boy is not one. Correction a boy is the ninety-nine problems, but that wasn’t Kate’s problem. Kate said to Naleeja “I got ninety-nine problems and my home girl Felicia has never been one,” (Jordan 27). Felicia always had good advice for Kate and never had problems the way Kate’s relationship was with Naleeja. The book seemed as if it was written to connect with a teenager’s life. Dream Jordan did a marvelous job at writing the book. I give the book to thumbs up and 5 golden stars.
This book caught my attention very quickly. It reminded me of high school girls. I like the fact that Kate made mistakes because her mistakes only made her stronger and it was easier for me to relate to her. She really learned how to keep most thoughts to herself and that she was grateful for the things she received. I don’t think that someone can buy forgiveness.You should never judge a person, but Naleeja made it easy for others to judge her. Naleeja does things to have other females talk about her; Her attitude, choice of clothing, and her confendence,( rather, her arrogance). I disapprove of the ways she uses her body to get what she wanted and tried to get Kate to do the same. The book has a lot of drama, but it is easy for younger females to relate to and understand what is going on.
A self-to text connection I had with the book was when Kate watched Charles play basketball and she got really into it. Kate yelled, “Yo, Charlie what are you waiting for? Don’t hold the ball. Dunk it like a doughnut,” (Jordan 2). I get that way sometimes when I’m reading a book. Kate wanted Charlie to dunk the ball in the hoop right away so the team can score. When I’m reading, I get to the point where I want the author to hurry up and get to the good part.
The book also reminded me of a lot of females in high school. When it comes to a girl flirting with a boy and one of his friends comes walking up asking what’s the holdup, their reaction is just like Kate’s, “Hmm, I thought angrily, wasn’t the ‘holdup’ obvious,” (Jordan 17). I see girls flirting with boys all the time, but when their friends come and inturrupt them seem to get irritated.
The most common thing you will hear from teenagers is “I got ninety-nine problems and a boy is not one. Correction a boy is the ninety-nine problems, but that wasn’t Kate’s problem. Kate said to Naleeja “I got ninety-nine problems and my home girl Felicia has never been one,” (Jordan 27). Felicia always had good advice for Kate and never had problems the way Kate’s relationship was with Naleeja. The book seemed as if it was written to connect with a teenager’s life. Dream Jordan did a marvelous job at writing the book. I give the book to thumbs up and 5 golden stars.
Want to read
January 3, 2024Dnf at … 15 pages. I couldn’t it seems boring and I’ll come back to it. But it’s boring
Tried again..ya I just can’t finish it. I’m fine with reading ACTUALLY AS PEOPLE CAN TELL I LOVE IT! I just can’t finish this one.
Tried again..ya I just can’t finish it. I’m fine with reading ACTUALLY AS PEOPLE CAN TELL I LOVE IT! I just can’t finish this one.
September 14, 2008
HOT GIRL by Dream Jordan
Publication Date: November 13, 2008
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin
Reviewed by: JAGLVR
Rating: 4 stars
Kate is fourteen and has grown up in the foster care system in New York. She’s finally living in an environment that is pretty stable, as far as foster care goes. She lives with Lynn and Ted and she actually has her own room. That’s never happened before. So why would she want to ruin such a good thing?
It’s the summer and her best friend Felicia has gone on a two month trip to South Africa. Kate had the chance to go with her, but when she found out some girls that were giving her trouble in the past were also going on the trip, Kate pulled herself out. She’s regretting her decision, because she’s stuck in the city with no one to hang with.
Kate is hanging out at a basketball court watching her homeboy Charles play ball with his buddies. While she’s sitting in the bleachers, a fly girl (a very hip together gal) strolls onto the stands and sits down with her. The girl starts chatting up Kate and sounding very cool and grown up. This is how Naleejah enters Kate’s life and changes her summer. Though the changes might not all be for the better for Kate.
Naleejah has the hottest clothes, knows how to dress and look perfect, and most importantly to Kate, how to get the guys. Kate’s never had a boyfriend and doesn’t have the funds to plan her own make-over. But with Naleejah’s know-how and help, soon Kate transforms into a hot girl. Kate loves how fly she looks now, but her foster parents are concerned that she’s dealing drugs.
As the summer simmers by, Kate has to evaluate her friendship with Naleejah. Kate is starting to realize that she’s always following Naleejah’s plans and never getting the respect she deserves from the friendship. She misses her friend Felicia terribly, and her situation in her foster home is tenuous at best.
When she finally starts getting the attention from Charles she’s always craved (since second grade), Kate makes some hard decisions that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
HOT GIRL is a story of a strong girl stuck in a situation that’s far from her control. She doesn’t have to let the foster care system turn her into a girl of the streets if she chooses to make the right decisions. Ms. Jordan’s novel is a blunt and straightforward look at the hard life faced by inner city children stuck in the foster care system. It’s not an easy portrait, but Kate is a strong role model for any girl in a similar situation.
Note to reader: There is a lot of promiscuous sex in the story, so be cautious if easily offended.
Publication Date: November 13, 2008
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin
Reviewed by: JAGLVR
Rating: 4 stars
Kate is fourteen and has grown up in the foster care system in New York. She’s finally living in an environment that is pretty stable, as far as foster care goes. She lives with Lynn and Ted and she actually has her own room. That’s never happened before. So why would she want to ruin such a good thing?
It’s the summer and her best friend Felicia has gone on a two month trip to South Africa. Kate had the chance to go with her, but when she found out some girls that were giving her trouble in the past were also going on the trip, Kate pulled herself out. She’s regretting her decision, because she’s stuck in the city with no one to hang with.
Kate is hanging out at a basketball court watching her homeboy Charles play ball with his buddies. While she’s sitting in the bleachers, a fly girl (a very hip together gal) strolls onto the stands and sits down with her. The girl starts chatting up Kate and sounding very cool and grown up. This is how Naleejah enters Kate’s life and changes her summer. Though the changes might not all be for the better for Kate.
Naleejah has the hottest clothes, knows how to dress and look perfect, and most importantly to Kate, how to get the guys. Kate’s never had a boyfriend and doesn’t have the funds to plan her own make-over. But with Naleejah’s know-how and help, soon Kate transforms into a hot girl. Kate loves how fly she looks now, but her foster parents are concerned that she’s dealing drugs.
As the summer simmers by, Kate has to evaluate her friendship with Naleejah. Kate is starting to realize that she’s always following Naleejah’s plans and never getting the respect she deserves from the friendship. She misses her friend Felicia terribly, and her situation in her foster home is tenuous at best.
When she finally starts getting the attention from Charles she’s always craved (since second grade), Kate makes some hard decisions that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
HOT GIRL is a story of a strong girl stuck in a situation that’s far from her control. She doesn’t have to let the foster care system turn her into a girl of the streets if she chooses to make the right decisions. Ms. Jordan’s novel is a blunt and straightforward look at the hard life faced by inner city children stuck in the foster care system. It’s not an easy portrait, but Kate is a strong role model for any girl in a similar situation.
Note to reader: There is a lot of promiscuous sex in the story, so be cautious if easily offended.
April 10, 2009
Kate (aka Diamond) grew up in the foster care system. Her parents gave her up when she was one year old and she was moved from one place to the next – not treated right in most of them, ran away from some. She went from an innocent little girl who just wanted to be loved to a girl full of so much anger she joined a gang to a level-headed young lady, still a bit angry but keeping that anger under control whenever possible so she could get through her days with no drama. Her new attitude was thanks to Felicia. Felicia was Kate’s math tutor at first and because Felicia saw the good in her and helped her to see her potential, they became best friends.
It was summertime, Felicia wasn’t around and Kate was really missing her. Then here comes Naleejah. Kate wasn’t looking to replace Felicia as her best friend – no one else could possibly do that; they were way too close. But it was good to have someone else to do things with while Felicia was away.
Kate was a friend to Naleejah, fighting her battles and whatnot, but Naleejah had no clue how to be a friend to Kate. This promiscuous girl had her eyes on Charles, a guy Kate had known since grade school and started crushing on in eighth grade. Naleejah also wasn’t the best person for Kate to be around if she wanted to stay focused on becoming a better person. Naleejah did help Kate change her outer appearance from tomboy to “hot girl” but other than that she was not a good influence.
Kate did have good foster parents who truly cared about her, but with all she’d been through in her young life it took her a while to figure that out; she had trust issues. She was also blessed to have her social worker, Tisha, on her side. Like Felicia, Tisha encouraged Kate to want more out of life. She looked out for Kate and always had her best interests in mind.
This was a good book; a real page turner! Although things that Kate went through as a foster child saddened me, I enjoyed reading her story and the way she told it was so entertaining. I liked the way she talked. I liked that she had a whole lot of common sense. I liked how she was trying so hard to do the right thing. True, she made bad choices sometimes, couldn’t quite resist temptation, but she learned from her mistakes. I liked the way she spoke up for herself, and I loved her spunk!
Hot Girl is very well-written. The whole story flowed so nicely and the characters and situations are believable. There were parts that made me laugh and I always appreciate a good laugh. I highly recommend Dream Jordan’s debut novel.
Parents: There’s very little profanity in this book, however, there are sexual situations; nothing too graphic, though.
It was summertime, Felicia wasn’t around and Kate was really missing her. Then here comes Naleejah. Kate wasn’t looking to replace Felicia as her best friend – no one else could possibly do that; they were way too close. But it was good to have someone else to do things with while Felicia was away.
Kate was a friend to Naleejah, fighting her battles and whatnot, but Naleejah had no clue how to be a friend to Kate. This promiscuous girl had her eyes on Charles, a guy Kate had known since grade school and started crushing on in eighth grade. Naleejah also wasn’t the best person for Kate to be around if she wanted to stay focused on becoming a better person. Naleejah did help Kate change her outer appearance from tomboy to “hot girl” but other than that she was not a good influence.
Kate did have good foster parents who truly cared about her, but with all she’d been through in her young life it took her a while to figure that out; she had trust issues. She was also blessed to have her social worker, Tisha, on her side. Like Felicia, Tisha encouraged Kate to want more out of life. She looked out for Kate and always had her best interests in mind.
This was a good book; a real page turner! Although things that Kate went through as a foster child saddened me, I enjoyed reading her story and the way she told it was so entertaining. I liked the way she talked. I liked that she had a whole lot of common sense. I liked how she was trying so hard to do the right thing. True, she made bad choices sometimes, couldn’t quite resist temptation, but she learned from her mistakes. I liked the way she spoke up for herself, and I loved her spunk!
Hot Girl is very well-written. The whole story flowed so nicely and the characters and situations are believable. There were parts that made me laugh and I always appreciate a good laugh. I highly recommend Dream Jordan’s debut novel.
Parents: There’s very little profanity in this book, however, there are sexual situations; nothing too graphic, though.
October 27, 2011
Kate is not your average girl from Bed-Stuy. Well, maybe she is, but her past may be decorated a bit more colorfully than most. She is starting on her 14th summer all alone, with a new foster family, a burning crush on her homeboy Charles, and without the guidance of her best friend Felicia who is spending her summer in Africa. Kate is all set to hold things down solo and slowly press up on Charles when in steps Naleejah, a fly girl from around the way who is all about the fast cars, fast boys, and fast life.
Naleejah takes one look at Kate's "bummy" appearance and painfully obvious crush, and then latches herself on as Kate's new best friend. Even though Naleejah laces her with a fresh hairdo and eye-catching new clothes, Kate's street smarts tell her that this new "friend" isn't all she says she is and that her "all that" life isn't all that it’s cracked up to be either. First of all, Naleejah is far too friendly with the boys, jumping into cars with men she's just met, and proclaiming that men are who get her all her fly gear. Then there's the all-talk part of her that Kate can see right through. Finally, the way she presses up on Charles, rubs Kate the wrong way. Pretty soon, Kate has to decide whether being a good new friend has its limits.
There were tons of things to like about this book. Kate was not only a believable character, but a complicated one. She gives an honest depiction of herself, her crush, her feelings about foster care, and even her past life of drugs, alcohol and gangs. Her desire to stay grounded in her new foster family, and the flashbacks to her former homes were seamless.
I think readers will appreciate that she wasn't preachy about Naleejah, or others in the neighborhood, just beyond them. She'd been there, done that, wasn't afraid to go back, but also not interested in it. Being her own person was something that Kate was exceptionally good at.
The characters in this book were built beautifully and each of them had depth that made them more than a one-sided cliché. Kate was such a real girl from "around the way" that I hated to see the book end. Real characters, relatable situations and yet not a single curse word!
Naleejah takes one look at Kate's "bummy" appearance and painfully obvious crush, and then latches herself on as Kate's new best friend. Even though Naleejah laces her with a fresh hairdo and eye-catching new clothes, Kate's street smarts tell her that this new "friend" isn't all she says she is and that her "all that" life isn't all that it’s cracked up to be either. First of all, Naleejah is far too friendly with the boys, jumping into cars with men she's just met, and proclaiming that men are who get her all her fly gear. Then there's the all-talk part of her that Kate can see right through. Finally, the way she presses up on Charles, rubs Kate the wrong way. Pretty soon, Kate has to decide whether being a good new friend has its limits.
There were tons of things to like about this book. Kate was not only a believable character, but a complicated one. She gives an honest depiction of herself, her crush, her feelings about foster care, and even her past life of drugs, alcohol and gangs. Her desire to stay grounded in her new foster family, and the flashbacks to her former homes were seamless.
I think readers will appreciate that she wasn't preachy about Naleejah, or others in the neighborhood, just beyond them. She'd been there, done that, wasn't afraid to go back, but also not interested in it. Being her own person was something that Kate was exceptionally good at.
The characters in this book were built beautifully and each of them had depth that made them more than a one-sided cliché. Kate was such a real girl from "around the way" that I hated to see the book end. Real characters, relatable situations and yet not a single curse word!
February 28, 2016
Hot Girl was a fast and easy read with terrific dialogue. The story was about the main protagonist Kate who grows up in the foster care system. She is in a new home and not faring well with her new foster care mother. Her friend Felicia leaves her behind to go to Africa for the summer, which Kate would have been a part of had she not gotten into some beef with the other girls who were going.
Bored and with nothing to do, she wanders off to watch her homeboy Charles play at a basketball game, and that's where she meets Naleejah for the first time. Little does Kate know her life was about to change, and not in a good way. Naleejah exemplified everything you don't want in a friend.
The theme throughout this book is about choices, and how choices influence and affect your life for better or worse. Dream Jordan weaves in topics, such as the importance of education, and practicing safe sex.
Overall, Dream Jordan wrote a relevant book that I believe should be on the required reading list of every Junior High School, foster care system and juvenile detention center across the country.
Bored and with nothing to do, she wanders off to watch her homeboy Charles play at a basketball game, and that's where she meets Naleejah for the first time. Little does Kate know her life was about to change, and not in a good way. Naleejah exemplified everything you don't want in a friend.
The theme throughout this book is about choices, and how choices influence and affect your life for better or worse. Dream Jordan weaves in topics, such as the importance of education, and practicing safe sex.
Overall, Dream Jordan wrote a relevant book that I believe should be on the required reading list of every Junior High School, foster care system and juvenile detention center across the country.
November 16, 2008
Irreplaceable
Kate, a foster child, has always felt alone and joined a gang to fit in. From fighting, drinking and drugs, Kate meets Felicia, and wants to alter her lack of and begins to work harder in school and takes an interest in living instead of going along with the flow of things. Felicia's away and Kate finds herself alone yet again. While her foster mother makes an effort to bridge the gap between them, Kate has already decided that she's not trying to get too wrapped up.
Watching Charles ball, her boy friend that she wishes was her boyfriend, Kate meets Naleejah. While Kate has gradually made changes she finds herself back making terrible choices and desperate to be accepted. When she finally sees Naleejah for the fake two dollar bill she really is, is it too late to right the wrongs?
"Hot Girl" is a good read, but I think that Dream Jordan could've provided readers with more details and made the book that much more.
Reviewed by: Lauren
OOSA's Teen Reviewer
Kate, a foster child, has always felt alone and joined a gang to fit in. From fighting, drinking and drugs, Kate meets Felicia, and wants to alter her lack of and begins to work harder in school and takes an interest in living instead of going along with the flow of things. Felicia's away and Kate finds herself alone yet again. While her foster mother makes an effort to bridge the gap between them, Kate has already decided that she's not trying to get too wrapped up.
Watching Charles ball, her boy friend that she wishes was her boyfriend, Kate meets Naleejah. While Kate has gradually made changes she finds herself back making terrible choices and desperate to be accepted. When she finally sees Naleejah for the fake two dollar bill she really is, is it too late to right the wrongs?
"Hot Girl" is a good read, but I think that Dream Jordan could've provided readers with more details and made the book that much more.
Reviewed by: Lauren
OOSA's Teen Reviewer
February 8, 2016
Hot Girl is a fast read and an entertaining novel. I could not put it down and personally, found the main protagonist to be relatable. It is a simple, and to the point book. Some of the authors messages may be too overt, making one feel as if moral lessons are slapped over the head, but I believe that was the intention of the novel, to educate and warn girls about issues concerning teen-pregnancy, drug use, STDs, stealing, and toxic relationships. The novel had great dialogue, although sometimes the dialogue was repetitive, aka lines similar to: "Girl. You know it." The voice was very compelling and fun. What I would say is that the theme of foster care seemed only a mere backdrop and in a future novel from someone like Dream Jordan, I would want a story with more depth concerning these issues. I also felt the last part with Naleehaj sent a skewed message. Was the author trying to make us believe that Kate was justified in doing what she did? I think we should see the good and bad in all people such as Naleehaj.
June 20, 2011
This book fits the category of what my students call "drama" books, which is probably the most requested kind of book in my library. By "drama" they usually mean books featuring African-American characters with a contemporary, urban sensibility. I read Hot Girl out of a sense of professional obligation to know what my students are reading, but I found myself really enjoying it. I found the main character very believable and actually felt that reading her first person perspective gave me some insight into why some of my students seem to overreact to certain situations. Jordan does a good job of capturing urban slang without being too dated, and she puts through the message of being true to yourself, focusing on school and staying out of trouble without being too preachy. There is some sex, underage drinking and teenage marijuana use, but Jordan depicts all these things as bad ideas.
July 3, 2010
"I liked this book. It is the story of Kate and how she has been bounced from foster home to foster home and her life has not been too good. She finally finds a social worker who believes in her, a great friend, a not so great friend and family that might actually want to keep her. As she explores who she is, her new boundaries, friendships and possible romances, she discovers that her beauty is not tied to what she wears or how hot she could be. Her personal worth is not tied to what she has or who she hangs with, but within herself. It was a touching story told in a voice that captures the exploration of self that often occurs in adolescence. It is also a survival story that shows that good choices are positive and that bad choices will have consequences, but that some choices will not always have their intended effects."
March 2, 2009
I am going to read this book based on an article in SLJ titled "Quick Picks That Work With Teens" by Amy Cheney 2/18/2009. Girls pick this book based on the cover, so I am going to read it and let you know what I think. I really enjoyed this book and so with African American teens. Kate is a foster child and has alot of issues. She is with a foster family and she keeps wondering when they are getting rid of her, her best friend, Felicia, is away for the summer, and Kate is so lonely. She meets this fly girl,Naleejah, and gets sucked into nice tight clothes, a makeover, and meeting lots of guys along with lying, stealing and fighting. Kate wants out, will she be able to get back to her better judgment and liking herself?
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July 30, 2011This scintillating novel is a must read! I finished it in a day. I believe it is definitely intended for a teen audience but I loved every second of it. The witty and laugh out loud narration by Kate was my favorite part of all. If I ever write a book I always say it would be in this particular manner that this author so eloquently portrayed. Kate learns so many lessons that anyone reading this book would be forced to acknowledge and hopefully learn from. The one thing that comes to mind while reading this book was what my mother used to always ask me, "If "so and so" jumped off a bridge would you?" You can't always do what your friends do, or be a follower and Kate realized this before it was too late. I will be passing this novel on to my younger siblings for sure.
September 1, 2015
this was not disappointing at all. i could relate tot he main character so much. even though i was never adopted, i know the anger, the hurt, the abandondment, the fights, and such. i know how it feels to be thicker than the most of the girls my age and feeling all alone. i know how it feels to have a shady friends and two faced ones too. i know how it fels to be in love with someone and they just don't give a fuck. i had a few Charles in my day and still kind of mourning one of them now with his sorry self. so i understood it all. she is too real and i love dream Jordan for making me feel like i am not the only one in the world like this. she is great. i love this book and i could never get tired of reading it.
January 3, 2009
Although I really enjoyed this book, I was expecting it to be a bit more of a 'street lit' book than it actually was. Although the main character was tough and made some bad choices, she was ultimately a good kid...I knew throughout the book that she would make the right choice because her inner dialogue was pointing that way. I think I would have liked the book a bit better if I didn't know if she was going to make the right choices. Overall though, a great book for high school girls looking for edgy books about African-American teens.
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November 17, 2009I think this book was cool. I feel bad for kate going from house to house all her life,i'm glad that in the end she ended up staying with ted & lynn. I would be so pissed if my bestfriend was gone for the WHOLE summer, so she goes n hangs with naleejah, a bad choice yeah she gave her some new clothes and did her hair but she was a BAD friend in the end. Charles and kate would've been cute cause she liked him so much but he was a big player.
February 6, 2011
I kept hoping for more. But the "good girl" with a past and a ton of insecurities should appeal to a lot of my readers. And the character generally ends up making good decisions. The complete lack of obscenities and Kate's drive to avoid temptation and do the right thing keep the book school appropriate. But there are some racy scenes which gave me pause. And moments when a curse word would have felt more authentic than some of the artificial phrases that replaced them.
December 18, 2013
The book hot girl is about a girl named Kate and her best friend Felicia went away to Africa on a trip. Kate meets a girl named Naleejah and at first she doesn't like her because of her personality. But Naleejah gives Kate a make over and Kate starts to catch the eye of her crush Charles. Eventually Kate and Charles chill at a party and they almost get it in. but Kate finds out that Charles and Naleejah already got it in !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2016
Plenty of the "usual" street lit stuff (name brands, hairstyles, fancy cars), but main character Kate has more depth and self knowledge than many of her counterparts. At 14, she's already made lots of bad choices and is learning what she wants and how she wants to get it - her own way. She's still influenced by her peers, but is careful not to give in to peer pressure. A smart teen who makes mistakes and makes her way in the world.
December 14, 2008
Kate being a teenage girl in fostercare with her bestfriend gone for the summer and no one to hang out with. Kate end up meeting a so called fly girl, that was no good for her. In the begining Kate was turning into a follower then she realize she has come to far to mess up what she has going with her current foster family. Kate also realize you can't trust everyone.
May 14, 2009
This book is basically about a girl that is being hopped from foster home to foster home. So she dosen't reallyhave place where she belongs but to hang out with boys. So when she meet this girl who helps her change her apperance. But with this change to her apperance other things in her life start to change as well that she doesn't like.
February 6, 2014
At first I was taken aback by the harsh language and sexual activity in this book, but as we hear the story of Kate, a product of the foster system, it all falls in place. Kate is trying to find her way in a new foster family, while her best friend is out of town for the summer. The new friend she spends time with is up to no good. We see Kate as a strong character and a good YA role model.
June 7, 2009
i reallyliked how this book started off a little slow but then got all intense.I really didn't expect for him to play her for gucci girl. I also think that she should've reconsidered,but ifhe refers her as a quick hit and run then who knows what he would've called her. i kind of agree with both.
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