What do you think?
Rate this book
TrueColors #6
Fool's Gold: Color Me Consumed
Hannah Johnson is pretty happy as a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea. But when she visits her cousin Vanessa for a summer in America, everything changes.
Vanessa and her friends try to catch Hannah up on all the latest fashions, but in the end, Hannah feels hopeless. She doesn't think she'll ever be able to keep up with the rich girls--but that doesn't stop her from trying.
In the process, Hannah is forced to come to grips with what she values most: beauty on the inside or beauty on the outside.
The sixth book in the teen fiction series TrueColors, Fool's Gold deals with identity, materialism, values, and money. Includes discussion questions.
Vanessa and her friends try to catch Hannah up on all the latest fashions, but in the end, Hannah feels hopeless. She doesn't think she'll ever be able to keep up with the rich girls--but that doesn't stop her from trying.
In the process, Hannah is forced to come to grips with what she values most: beauty on the inside or beauty on the outside.
The sixth book in the teen fiction series TrueColors, Fool's Gold deals with identity, materialism, values, and money. Includes discussion questions.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,239 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 29, 2021
A little too corny for me.
Good overall message maybe more for middle schoolers.
Good overall message maybe more for middle schoolers.
February 5, 2018
I thought this book was really good it showed how little things like shopping can get to peoples head if you aren't careful
November 22, 2015
3.5 stars... another thoughtful story. Though it did leave me a little sickened or trapped feeling at times, Fool's Gold: Color Me Consumed was a very interesting read, and really laid things out for us.
Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid just trying to fit in in the glamorous living of the people of California. But she can't. Unless she changes. At first is can seem quite... well, glamorous, as we watch Hannah get her boring hair dyed and cut into a cute style; watch her find all the name-brand clothes that flatter her figure; watch her capture the interest of the cute boy who ditches "mean girl" for her...
As if we think all stuff can bring us happiness. I connected with Hannah a bit through different things. Like, I'll never be good enough--not rich enough, not attractive enough, not "fun" enough to fit in with the "cool kids". And it can hurt from time to time, this not fitting in thing. So it was interesting and thought-provoking to read Hannah's story and watch her find the truth.
Sad too. That all these teens and young adults fall for stuff like that. If I just do that, they'll like me. If I just get this, I'll fit in. It's a sick, sorrowful cycle. I, like Hannah, have found that I'd rather just be myself and have true joy. It can sound tacky and all. But if someone looks down upon because of how you dress, what you look like, etc., they really aren't worth your time. Feel sorry for them. And just keep going. God has something better in store than a consumed-lifestyle that will never fill you up.
So yeah. A nice story. Would recommend to teen girls struggling with trying to fit in, shopping beyond their means, feeling disconnected from God, and whatnot.
*Oh, a warning. There is some sinful lifestyles talked about in a joking manner. That frustrated me because I can't tell what they think about the issue then.*
Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid just trying to fit in in the glamorous living of the people of California. But she can't. Unless she changes. At first is can seem quite... well, glamorous, as we watch Hannah get her boring hair dyed and cut into a cute style; watch her find all the name-brand clothes that flatter her figure; watch her capture the interest of the cute boy who ditches "mean girl" for her...
As if we think all stuff can bring us happiness. I connected with Hannah a bit through different things. Like, I'll never be good enough--not rich enough, not attractive enough, not "fun" enough to fit in with the "cool kids". And it can hurt from time to time, this not fitting in thing. So it was interesting and thought-provoking to read Hannah's story and watch her find the truth.
Sad too. That all these teens and young adults fall for stuff like that. If I just do that, they'll like me. If I just get this, I'll fit in. It's a sick, sorrowful cycle. I, like Hannah, have found that I'd rather just be myself and have true joy. It can sound tacky and all. But if someone looks down upon because of how you dress, what you look like, etc., they really aren't worth your time. Feel sorry for them. And just keep going. God has something better in store than a consumed-lifestyle that will never fill you up.
So yeah. A nice story. Would recommend to teen girls struggling with trying to fit in, shopping beyond their means, feeling disconnected from God, and whatnot.
*Oh, a warning. There is some sinful lifestyles talked about in a joking manner. That frustrated me because I can't tell what they think about the issue then.*
September 24, 2007
I liked it. But it was really hard to get into at first.
November 8, 2007
This book showed how sucked in you can get to money and material things. I didn't think it had as good of an ending as the rest of the series, but it was still a really good book.
March 10, 2018
Issue: Getting in over your head
Where: Group of 'friends'; in debt with credit cards; drawing on your paycheck; not staying within your means
Sub-issues: Teen spending; peer pressure; enjoying what you're doing
Hannah Johnson, missionary kid (MK), is staying with her aunt, uncle and cousin while her parents are on furlough from Papua New Guinea. Her experiences are mainly as a young child in the village where her parents live before going to a mission school, aka Christian bubble.
Since she's outside the bubble, she would like to figure out her relationship with God without all the pressure to do "bubble things". She later wonders what would have happened if she had continued the "bubble things": would she have gone along with the consumerist lifestyle of her female relatives and try to one-up another person with her clothes for a boy? (Bubble things refers to daily devotions, reading the Bible, praying, possibly chapel or church, and anything else that comes to mind.)
Her relatives are fairly well off in California, her uncle's company is doing well and so she has a job as a receptionist during the summer. She hopes to save a little for college, but is rather unprepared for all the shopping and emphasis on brand names (expensive brand names at that). So she opens a store credit card (with aunt's approval), draws an advance on her paycheck, and eventually realizes she won't have saved anything - but she's got some really fashionable/trendy stuffs!
By continuing to work, she fills in the hole where she had dug herself into debt, and has learned (hopefully) that spending money to keep up with families with more money than you have is not worth keeping friendships or boyfriends.
The true friend she does have, Jessie, helps with housing for the missionary family once Hannah's parents come back to the area.
Where: Group of 'friends'; in debt with credit cards; drawing on your paycheck; not staying within your means
Sub-issues: Teen spending; peer pressure; enjoying what you're doing
Hannah Johnson, missionary kid (MK), is staying with her aunt, uncle and cousin while her parents are on furlough from Papua New Guinea. Her experiences are mainly as a young child in the village where her parents live before going to a mission school, aka Christian bubble.
Since she's outside the bubble, she would like to figure out her relationship with God without all the pressure to do "bubble things". She later wonders what would have happened if she had continued the "bubble things": would she have gone along with the consumerist lifestyle of her female relatives and try to one-up another person with her clothes for a boy? (Bubble things refers to daily devotions, reading the Bible, praying, possibly chapel or church, and anything else that comes to mind.)
Her relatives are fairly well off in California, her uncle's company is doing well and so she has a job as a receptionist during the summer. She hopes to save a little for college, but is rather unprepared for all the shopping and emphasis on brand names (expensive brand names at that). So she opens a store credit card (with aunt's approval), draws an advance on her paycheck, and eventually realizes she won't have saved anything - but she's got some really fashionable/trendy stuffs!
By continuing to work, she fills in the hole where she had dug herself into debt, and has learned (hopefully) that spending money to keep up with families with more money than you have is not worth keeping friendships or boyfriends.
The true friend she does have, Jessie, helps with housing for the missionary family once Hannah's parents come back to the area.
January 6, 2019
I related to a lot of the feelings that the main character experienced as I grew up in church and never fit in anywhere or understood how people put so much stock in material things and trying to keep up with one another. I also went through a phase where I got myself into some debt with clothing store credit cards and getting carried away with shopping which I didn’t really enjoy anyhow to impress people I didn’t really like in the first place.
November 28, 2025
Now this is more like it. Definitely better than the last one. Although with this one I had to use my brain more than I normally would when reading a Melody Carlson book to imagine Hannah's Australian accent and I think most of the time it ended up leaning British anyways.
This book reminded me of the first Christy Miller book. With the California setting and surfing.
I don't think there's any content concerns. Just a few kisses and some underage drinking.
This book reminded me of the first Christy Miller book. With the California setting and surfing.
I don't think there's any content concerns. Just a few kisses and some underage drinking.
August 11, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I like how Melody introduces a character with a different cultural background. Hannah is from Papua New Guinea but is staying with relatives in California for the summer.
February 5, 2019
This book was very good! I really enjoyed it because it had parts about shopping, drama, and things any teenager can relate to. It also had a girl that came from a different country so its really cool to see the way she acts compared to me.
May 7, 2019
Probably my 6th time reading this book since I first received it as a gift aged 14 and I read it in a day every time. The range of meanings it has had to me over the years is astounding.
August 21, 2020
Thanks, Melody Carlson, for writing.
June 8, 2021
this is a favorite. i read it poolside every summer. fun, quick, easy read. a fun story with a good lesson.
April 4, 2024
Would recommend for you christian girls.
Currently reading
February 6, 2017Fool’s Gold
Macy Keen
February 6th, 2017
Pre - AP English 10
Melody Carlson is writer of many book series and people describe her as a person who truly understand teen girls and what they go through. Many and almost all of Melody Carlson’s novels are directed toward teen girls or women and many of which are part of a series.
The book was written in the United States in 2004. This time period was when the world was slowly changing, as it always is, but directed toward teen girls and what they go through.
The story takes place in America in the summer in Vanessa’s town, which is Hannah’s cousin.
Hannah Johnson - the main character who is the kid of a missionary in the Papua New Guinea
Vanessa - Hannah’s cousin who lives in America and is a pretty popular person
I think the theme of the book is to not find happiness in the tangible things but in Christ. Hannah doesn’t worry about the latest fashion or credit card limits in Papua. But when she comes to stay with her cousin, it’s like there is no time for just personal time. They are worried about buying the latest purse or hat.
Hannah thinks she is living he life right. She is the kid of missionaries and lives Papua New Guinea. She decides to go stay with her cousin for the summer in America. She felt comfortable at first, that was until Vanessa thought that Hannah needed a little help. Hannah thought she was perfectly fine as this is what she wore at home. But Vanessa just suggested that they go shopping. Hannah got caught up in it all, but later realized that that didn't make her happy. She says many time that you can’t find happiness in swiping your credit card. She continues to hang out with Vanessa and her friends but still think that you shouldn't have to worry about having the latest thing or running out of money. She thinks that she could never live up to the “rich girl” expectations. She has to face her hardest value, does she want beauty on the inside or the outside?
Symbolism and irony are a big part of this novel. In fact in many of the author’s novels, symbolism and irony take a big role. The author uses symbolism when she talks about Hannah going through this and going through motions and buying the tangible things, but always going back and thinking about what she did that day and if she actually enjoyed it or not. The author uses irony when Hannah, towards the end of the book, asks herself what she really wants. Beauty on the inside or the outside.
“My cousin Vanessa thinks shopping is a competitive sport.” This is Hannah talking as she is preparing to spend the entire summer with her cousin, and of course there is going to be lots of shopping
“Vanessa may have her faults, but stinginess os not one of them.” This is also Hannah talking about her and Vanessa’s shopping trip when Vanessa tried to but Hannah clothes with her dad's credit card.
“As it turns out, Vanessa isn’t terribly impressed with my new clothes.” This is Hannah as she gets home from her shopping trip at Ross because she wouldn’t buy really expensive clothes when she went shopping with Vanessa.
Macy Keen
February 6th, 2017
Pre - AP English 10
Melody Carlson is writer of many book series and people describe her as a person who truly understand teen girls and what they go through. Many and almost all of Melody Carlson’s novels are directed toward teen girls or women and many of which are part of a series.
The book was written in the United States in 2004. This time period was when the world was slowly changing, as it always is, but directed toward teen girls and what they go through.
The story takes place in America in the summer in Vanessa’s town, which is Hannah’s cousin.
Hannah Johnson - the main character who is the kid of a missionary in the Papua New Guinea
Vanessa - Hannah’s cousin who lives in America and is a pretty popular person
I think the theme of the book is to not find happiness in the tangible things but in Christ. Hannah doesn’t worry about the latest fashion or credit card limits in Papua. But when she comes to stay with her cousin, it’s like there is no time for just personal time. They are worried about buying the latest purse or hat.
Hannah thinks she is living he life right. She is the kid of missionaries and lives Papua New Guinea. She decides to go stay with her cousin for the summer in America. She felt comfortable at first, that was until Vanessa thought that Hannah needed a little help. Hannah thought she was perfectly fine as this is what she wore at home. But Vanessa just suggested that they go shopping. Hannah got caught up in it all, but later realized that that didn't make her happy. She says many time that you can’t find happiness in swiping your credit card. She continues to hang out with Vanessa and her friends but still think that you shouldn't have to worry about having the latest thing or running out of money. She thinks that she could never live up to the “rich girl” expectations. She has to face her hardest value, does she want beauty on the inside or the outside?
Symbolism and irony are a big part of this novel. In fact in many of the author’s novels, symbolism and irony take a big role. The author uses symbolism when she talks about Hannah going through this and going through motions and buying the tangible things, but always going back and thinking about what she did that day and if she actually enjoyed it or not. The author uses irony when Hannah, towards the end of the book, asks herself what she really wants. Beauty on the inside or the outside.
“My cousin Vanessa thinks shopping is a competitive sport.” This is Hannah talking as she is preparing to spend the entire summer with her cousin, and of course there is going to be lots of shopping
“Vanessa may have her faults, but stinginess os not one of them.” This is also Hannah talking about her and Vanessa’s shopping trip when Vanessa tried to but Hannah clothes with her dad's credit card.
“As it turns out, Vanessa isn’t terribly impressed with my new clothes.” This is Hannah as she gets home from her shopping trip at Ross because she wouldn’t buy really expensive clothes when she went shopping with Vanessa.
February 27, 2010
I’ve just finished a YA fiction called “Fool’s Gold: color me consumed” by Melody Carlson. I have that wow feeling that is washing over me- or as the title says, color me consumed. I didn’t expected the ending to happen the way it did and I felt like I was involved in such an intense situation that I can’t help but be in awe at the moment. It was a bit of a wake up call.
What’s the book about?
Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid from Papau New Guinea. Her family needs to raise funds so they came back to the States to be do so, but can’t take Hannah with them. So, Hannah is stuck spending the summer with her cousins in LA. She soon gets caught up in the materialism that surrounds her uncle and his family and feels herself going under fast! How long will she keep trying to keep up appearances until she sinks?
This book is definitely 14+. It is the sixth book in a series called True Colors. It covers materialism, dating, following the crowd, and values. This has been different than the other books I’ve read lately. I like Melody’s style in this book. She dug deep to make the story compelling and brought out the real issue of materialism. At first I really wasn’t sure what to expect but as Melody took you in deeper to the story you couldn’t help but wonder how far was it going to go. I loved Hannah’s lingo– I couldn’t help but say “reckon” after a lot.. but perhaps it’s not far off from my Canadian idioms lol. I don’t think you can read this book and walk away without getting the point. Even though the setting is in LA and talks about extreme money issues, I think it is easy to relate to because at some point or another most of us have had to make the decision of how to deal with money.
One of the lines that really hit me was:
It’s a horrible feeling knowing that you’re in over your head. That you’ve bought what you can not pay for. That you owe more than you’ll ever make. It’s a hopeless, miserable, overwhelming feeling that makes you want to give up. And that’s just money. What if it was your soul? Your peace? Your eternity?
I would totally recommend this book! I think it’s a great book that bring to light some basic struggles and how we can change them if we’re focused on the right thing!
Want to know more about Melody?
Check out her website www.melodycarlson.com
Thanks to my friends at NavPress for sending me a review copy of this book!
What’s the book about?
Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid from Papau New Guinea. Her family needs to raise funds so they came back to the States to be do so, but can’t take Hannah with them. So, Hannah is stuck spending the summer with her cousins in LA. She soon gets caught up in the materialism that surrounds her uncle and his family and feels herself going under fast! How long will she keep trying to keep up appearances until she sinks?
This book is definitely 14+. It is the sixth book in a series called True Colors. It covers materialism, dating, following the crowd, and values. This has been different than the other books I’ve read lately. I like Melody’s style in this book. She dug deep to make the story compelling and brought out the real issue of materialism. At first I really wasn’t sure what to expect but as Melody took you in deeper to the story you couldn’t help but wonder how far was it going to go. I loved Hannah’s lingo– I couldn’t help but say “reckon” after a lot.. but perhaps it’s not far off from my Canadian idioms lol. I don’t think you can read this book and walk away without getting the point. Even though the setting is in LA and talks about extreme money issues, I think it is easy to relate to because at some point or another most of us have had to make the decision of how to deal with money.
One of the lines that really hit me was:
It’s a horrible feeling knowing that you’re in over your head. That you’ve bought what you can not pay for. That you owe more than you’ll ever make. It’s a hopeless, miserable, overwhelming feeling that makes you want to give up. And that’s just money. What if it was your soul? Your peace? Your eternity?
I would totally recommend this book! I think it’s a great book that bring to light some basic struggles and how we can change them if we’re focused on the right thing!
Want to know more about Melody?
Check out her website www.melodycarlson.com
Thanks to my friends at NavPress for sending me a review copy of this book!
July 3, 2012
Hannah Anderson is a MK (missionary kid) from Papua New Guinea. While on furlough from the missionary field, she visits her extremely fashion-forward and materialistic cousin and family. Vanessa’s life is vastly different from Hannah’s; she lives in a huge house and shops places Hannah has never even heard of, like Prada, Gucci, and Armani. Wanting to connect with her cousin again, Hannah joins Vanessa on these shopping trips. What starts out as innocent teen girl bonding turns into a major stumbling block for her. Whatever she purchases seems to need some other accessory in order complete the “look.”
Although Hannah is spending more money than she ever thought was possible ($300 for a pair of jeans?) it never seems to be good enough for her new (so-called) friends. As she sinks more and more into debt (eek!) she finally comes to realize that everything she’s purchased are not her identity, nor is her value based on the clothes she wears. It’s only Fool’s Gold after all.
Materialism, sadly, is a part of everyday life for most teen girls. It’s easy to get caught up in what the latest issue of Teen Vogue says is in style, and forget that your value is so much greater than the price tag of your clothing. In Fool’s Gold, Hannah discovers that no matter how beautiful your clothes make you appear on the outside, it means nothing if you do not value your inner beauty.
The Wordsmith Journal strives to guide readers to books of personal interest, with the understanding and respect that what appeals to some may not appeal to others. Therefore we attempt to keep our reviews focused on content, genre and style. The rating is necessary to make use of Goodreads and Amazon. It reflects the reviewer’s own level of enjoyment, but the review is intended to be informative for the benefit of all readers.
Although Hannah is spending more money than she ever thought was possible ($300 for a pair of jeans?) it never seems to be good enough for her new (so-called) friends. As she sinks more and more into debt (eek!) she finally comes to realize that everything she’s purchased are not her identity, nor is her value based on the clothes she wears. It’s only Fool’s Gold after all.
Materialism, sadly, is a part of everyday life for most teen girls. It’s easy to get caught up in what the latest issue of Teen Vogue says is in style, and forget that your value is so much greater than the price tag of your clothing. In Fool’s Gold, Hannah discovers that no matter how beautiful your clothes make you appear on the outside, it means nothing if you do not value your inner beauty.
The Wordsmith Journal strives to guide readers to books of personal interest, with the understanding and respect that what appeals to some may not appeal to others. Therefore we attempt to keep our reviews focused on content, genre and style. The rating is necessary to make use of Goodreads and Amazon. It reflects the reviewer’s own level of enjoyment, but the review is intended to be informative for the benefit of all readers.
February 14, 2010
Melody Carlson is one of the BEST fiction authors for teen girls, I've read a couple dozen books by her and they never cease to be great!
This is the first book i've read in the TrueColors series, and it's the 6th in the seires. Although it might seem like an odd place to start the series, these books don't have to be read in any particular order.
Hannah Anderson, a young MK (missionary kid) from Papua New Guinea, is visting her extremely fashionable cousin and family in the states. What seems like a innocent teen thing to do, shopping, turns into a major stumbling block for her. Whatever she seems to purchase needs to have something else it need to complete the "look". And although she's spending more money than she ever though was possible ($300 for a pair of jeans?) it never seems to be good enough for the people around her. As she's falling more and more into debt (eek!) she comes to realize that all the clothes she purchasing are never going to fill the empty space in her heart. It's only Fool's Gold after all.
I, at first, shyed away from these books. It thought they might be a little too "Edgy" for me. Many of them include topics like a friend's suicide, cutting, teen drinking and similar issues. Well, i am hooked on these books, this is not going to be the last book I'm reading in this series!!
This is the first book i've read in the TrueColors series, and it's the 6th in the seires. Although it might seem like an odd place to start the series, these books don't have to be read in any particular order.
Hannah Anderson, a young MK (missionary kid) from Papua New Guinea, is visting her extremely fashionable cousin and family in the states. What seems like a innocent teen thing to do, shopping, turns into a major stumbling block for her. Whatever she seems to purchase needs to have something else it need to complete the "look". And although she's spending more money than she ever though was possible ($300 for a pair of jeans?) it never seems to be good enough for the people around her. As she's falling more and more into debt (eek!) she comes to realize that all the clothes she purchasing are never going to fill the empty space in her heart. It's only Fool's Gold after all.
I, at first, shyed away from these books. It thought they might be a little too "Edgy" for me. Many of them include topics like a friend's suicide, cutting, teen drinking and similar issues. Well, i am hooked on these books, this is not going to be the last book I'm reading in this series!!
April 17, 2016
2.5
First, my disclaimer: I do think that Melody Carlson is one of the best Christian YA authors out there. She writes about a lot of tough issues that most Christian YA steers clear of (e.g., self-injury, eating disorders, drugs/addiction, etc.).
However... although I enjoy her books, this one came off a lot more preachy than I remembered her writing normally being. I could also tell what was going to happen regarding relating Hannah's life allegorically to Biblical teachings. This became more evident at the end of the book.
Also, the characters were pretty standard for this type of book. Nothing special. I didn't mind Hannah or any of the other characters, but there really weren't any surprises. There was the standard mean girl and her posse, the hot guy, and then the Christian goody-goody who was labeled as being "too weird" for the popular crowd.
There was also a random older brother of one of the characters thrown in there and simply mentioned as "don't get involved with him, he's weird" - and then as far as I can remember, he was just like of... tossed aside? and not brought up again.
Altogether: not a bad read. But definitely better for younger readers (I'm thinking 12-14 or so).
First, my disclaimer: I do think that Melody Carlson is one of the best Christian YA authors out there. She writes about a lot of tough issues that most Christian YA steers clear of (e.g., self-injury, eating disorders, drugs/addiction, etc.).
However... although I enjoy her books, this one came off a lot more preachy than I remembered her writing normally being. I could also tell what was going to happen regarding relating Hannah's life allegorically to Biblical teachings. This became more evident at the end of the book.
Also, the characters were pretty standard for this type of book. Nothing special. I didn't mind Hannah or any of the other characters, but there really weren't any surprises. There was the standard mean girl and her posse, the hot guy, and then the Christian goody-goody who was labeled as being "too weird" for the popular crowd.
There was also a random older brother of one of the characters thrown in there and simply mentioned as "don't get involved with him, he's weird" - and then as far as I can remember, he was just like of... tossed aside? and not brought up again.
Altogether: not a bad read. But definitely better for younger readers (I'm thinking 12-14 or so).
June 29, 2011
This book is about a missionary kid from Papua New Guinea who loves her life and friends there called Hannah Johnson. She spends her spare time in helping her parents and enjoying the outdoors. She has no worries about fancy clothes or being the most popular one at her school. When Hannah takes a trip to America to visit her cousin Vanessa everything changes. Vanessa seems to think that Hannah absolutely has to look just like she does (in with the trends and have $300 shoes). Hannah doesn't think that she can fit in with the rich girls but she's willing to give it a try. She has to make a tough decission - to carry on living this wonderful life she is living in America or go back to the values and way she was living in Papua New Guinea.
This was a great book that taught me that beauty really is on the inside. It doesn't matter what you waer or how you look. It's your personality that is going to take you places. Spending all your money on designer clothes and shoes is only going to turn you into a superficial brat and get you into serious debt.
Another one of Melody Carlson's amazing books and a good read :D x
This was a great book that taught me that beauty really is on the inside. It doesn't matter what you waer or how you look. It's your personality that is going to take you places. Spending all your money on designer clothes and shoes is only going to turn you into a superficial brat and get you into serious debt.
Another one of Melody Carlson's amazing books and a good read :D x
December 8, 2007
Hannah is a girl from PNG and she comes to live with her EXTREMELY RICH aunt and uncle in the states. Her cousin vennesa is the extremely populare type. She buys prada clothes and has to have the latest things. She is really into the latest fashions.Hannah comes along and she is wearing something that you would be wearing if you were working on your car.Vennessa is completely embarrased when hannah has to come with her to a party and she is wearing a "cheap look alike" of a shirt. Vennessa takes hannah shopping and starts to buy her prada clothes.Mean while uncle ron gives hannah a job at his work. Instead of waitng for her paycheck to come in. hannah uses the $2,000 that her uncle put in the bank for her to use to buy stuff before she gets her check. Hannah comes to face whether she is going to spend all her money on expensive clothes and be in the popular crowd or to be herself and trust God that he made her the way she is and nothing is wrong with that. It changed my complete look on the way we use our money today.
January 6, 2010
I loved this book because it`s about one of my passions! Fashion. The book is about a 17 year old girl named Hannah that stays at her Aunt Lori`s and cousin Vanessa`s for the entire summer. While on her summer vacation Vanessa teaches Hannah all about the fashion world and many different high end fashion designers. Hannah try`s to fit in with Vanessa and Aunt Lori by buying some of the designers like Coach. Most of the designer accessories that Hannah finds are knock-offs and that upsets Vanessa and Aunt Lori. Hannah does more than just shop like Vanessa she also try`s to fit in at some of Vanessa`s teenage party`s and get together`s. After that comes more shopping and before you know it Hannah becomes a shopaholic like her Aunt and Vanessa. Hannah also gets a new look that fits her in even more. After more shopping and partying Hannah just becomes depressed because there`s nothing else that her cousin usually does other than shop and party. Melody Carlson has created another awesome book but this one teaches teenage girls about the fashion world and many high end designers.
October 3, 2012
In "Fools Gold by Melody Carlson, Hannah is from Papau New Guinea and her parents are missionaries. Hannah goes to stay with her cousin for the summer. Hannah feels really out of the loop like she doesn't fit in with her cousin and her friends. Finally, later on Vanessa takes Hannah shopping to get her some brand clothes like Vanessa wears. Hannah starts top feel like she fits in to the group of friends that Vanessa hangs out with. She starts going to birthday parties for Vanessa friends and also just to like hang out with them.
My look on this book is great I think people should read it. Its agreat book to read if you are interested in reading about how people found God and and their religion and dealing with other people that may not have the same personality as each other. I thought it was a good thing Hannah started feeling like she was a part of their group too because it was sad when she felt like she didnt fit in with the "rich" people. Everyone should go read this book!!
My look on this book is great I think people should read it. Its agreat book to read if you are interested in reading about how people found God and and their religion and dealing with other people that may not have the same personality as each other. I thought it was a good thing Hannah started feeling like she was a part of their group too because it was sad when she felt like she didnt fit in with the "rich" people. Everyone should go read this book!!
May 29, 2013
Hannah Johnson doesnt want to change, but does for society. Hannah is a missonary kid in Papua. She has to leave and go to her cousins for the summer and everything changes. Hannah likes to save money but her aunt and cousin dont care how much they spend. As soon as a boy comes aqlong she wants to change everything anout her. She goes from a 2nd hand store to a Prada girl. But does she over do it?
I would recommened it to girls who are young adults. Boys might not find it amusing. The author Melody Carlsondoes a good jobs putting in a lot of details but not to many details. She puts the words so you can understand what is happening even if you havengt learned it yet. If you like romantic story about a girl trying to fit in this is the book for you. I enjoyed reading this book. The ending is a twist and gives you enough details to image what happens.
I would recommened it to girls who are young adults. Boys might not find it amusing. The author Melody Carlsondoes a good jobs putting in a lot of details but not to many details. She puts the words so you can understand what is happening even if you havengt learned it yet. If you like romantic story about a girl trying to fit in this is the book for you. I enjoyed reading this book. The ending is a twist and gives you enough details to image what happens.
Want to read
August 14, 2016This book is the sixth book in the True Colors Series.
My Synopsis: Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid to Papua New Guinea. While her parents are on vacation she stays with her wealthy cousin who lives in the United States. Slowly Hannah starts giving into peer pressure and starts spending money on clothes that she only wears once. She gets into major debt. Slowly she realizes what her problem is.
Questionable content: underage drinking, partying, having a crush, and kissing
Pros: I really liked the character Hannah in this book. She was very innocent and pure.
Cons: I didn't like how sometimes Hannah would go behind her parents' back on some of the things that she knew she shouldn't be doing.
Age Recommendation: 14 +
My Synopsis: Hannah Johnson is a missionary kid to Papua New Guinea. While her parents are on vacation she stays with her wealthy cousin who lives in the United States. Slowly Hannah starts giving into peer pressure and starts spending money on clothes that she only wears once. She gets into major debt. Slowly she realizes what her problem is.
Questionable content: underage drinking, partying, having a crush, and kissing
Pros: I really liked the character Hannah in this book. She was very innocent and pure.
Cons: I didn't like how sometimes Hannah would go behind her parents' back on some of the things that she knew she shouldn't be doing.
Age Recommendation: 14 +
April 14, 2015
This was a fairly good Christian YA novel. It shows how a teenage girl allows herself to be drawn away from God and to get caught up in fashion and materialism because of wanting to fit in with her rich cousin and her friends. After getting herself into quite a bit of debt, the nightmares she has about debtor's prisons leads to become close to God again and to avoid shopping and to work hard at eradicating her debt before the end of the summer. The book did a good job of showing how quickly debt can pile up if you're not careful. It was a simply written novel, but it was well done, and the characters were drawn well also.
September 16, 2016
Well I gave this book three stars cause this book got me hooked by the first couple sentences. I loved how I could relate to the main character. She was a teenager just trying to fit in like all of us. But the difference between us too was she was from another country so she had it a little harder. The only thing that got me annoyed while reading this life lesson of a book was since she was from another country she had different sayings as us. So sometimes throughout the story they wouldn't say what some of these meant. Besides that its a great book about if a teenager girl decides if she wants to change the way she dresses and her personality to fit in to ''the world''.
August 13, 2013
A Quickie Review
A fish-out-of-water tale that also is a criticism of American consumerism, Fool's Gold is just the kind of story I like: engaging, easy to follow, and with a blatant moral lesson. As a bit of a shopaholic myself, I think this is definitely something I needed to read.
Content Concerns: Drunkenness, plastic surgery, vanity, and selfish attitudes are vilified. Young ladies dress immodestly...and it's not (always) vilified.
Score: 4.25/5
A fish-out-of-water tale that also is a criticism of American consumerism, Fool's Gold is just the kind of story I like: engaging, easy to follow, and with a blatant moral lesson. As a bit of a shopaholic myself, I think this is definitely something I needed to read.
Content Concerns: Drunkenness, plastic surgery, vanity, and selfish attitudes are vilified. Young ladies dress immodestly...and it's not (always) vilified.
Score: 4.25/5
July 9, 2009
I am the hugest fan of this series because almost all of them can relate to my life. This one, while it had a good and true message once again, did not really catch my attention and if someone asked me if there was one book in the TrueColors they should not read, I would say this one, even though I loved how it showed getting closer to God. Maybe just because my friends and I are tom boys so we are in no danger of getting sucked in to shopping, and it bores me to read about it xD
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews