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The Contest
Young readers from all backgrounds will delight in the story of Rosy, a humorous, spirited, dark-haired, girl who being half-Mohawk is the first and only Native to enter an Anne of Green Gables look-alike contest. Convinced that being "kindred-spirits" and well versed in everything Anne is actually the true nature of the contest, Rosy bravely sets forth to do what she must to win.
"When Helen, my favorite librarian, told me about the contest, I was thrilled. And determined to win. I know everything about Anne--I'd even say we're kindred spirits. And do you know what the best part is? The prize! A brand new set of Anne books. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me it would be amazing. Almost everything I own is a hand-me-down. I can only imagine what it would be like to have my own set of books, never before read by anyone else." Preparing for the contest is an adventure in itself. As Rosy overcomes setbacks with her health as well as financial hardships, readers will experience along with Rosy her discovery of the true value of friendship, family, and community.
CM Magazine - October 2, 2009 "An engaging story about a young determined girl who has been brought up to think of others even though she has very little herself...Readers will enjoy Rosy's spunk, the colorful cast of additional characters, and the funny mishaps as the story of selflessness unfolds... Recommended." Caroline Stellings is an artist, author, and children's book illustrator. Her previous books for children include the popular Malagawatch Mice. Caroline lives in the small town of Waterdown near Hamilton, Ontario.
"When Helen, my favorite librarian, told me about the contest, I was thrilled. And determined to win. I know everything about Anne--I'd even say we're kindred spirits. And do you know what the best part is? The prize! A brand new set of Anne books. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me it would be amazing. Almost everything I own is a hand-me-down. I can only imagine what it would be like to have my own set of books, never before read by anyone else." Preparing for the contest is an adventure in itself. As Rosy overcomes setbacks with her health as well as financial hardships, readers will experience along with Rosy her discovery of the true value of friendship, family, and community.
CM Magazine - October 2, 2009 "An engaging story about a young determined girl who has been brought up to think of others even though she has very little herself...Readers will enjoy Rosy's spunk, the colorful cast of additional characters, and the funny mishaps as the story of selflessness unfolds... Recommended." Caroline Stellings is an artist, author, and children's book illustrator. Her previous books for children include the popular Malagawatch Mice. Caroline lives in the small town of Waterdown near Hamilton, Ontario.
123 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
About the author
Caroline Stellings
20 books22 followersCaroline Stellings is an award-winning author and illustrator of numerous books for children and young adults. She has received many honours for her work, including nominations for both the Geoffrey Bilson Award and the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award, and she has won both the ForeWord Book of the Year and the Hamilton Literary Award. Her picture book Gypsy’s Fortune (Peanut Butter Press) was chosen as a Best Bet by the Ontario Library Association. Caroline has a Masters degree from McMaster University. She lives in Waterdown, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 5, 2023
Now even though that upon having now reread Caroline Stellings' The Contest multiple times, I do indeed realise that especially the presented villains (such as Tiffany and some of the contest girls intent on bullying and verbally haranguing Rosy and Lydia in order to intimidate them) are perhaps more than a trifle too type-cast and rather frustratingly stereotypical, and whilst I also do cringe a bit at how Rosy supposedly considers herself as oh so fascinating and somehow "exotic" simply because she is part Mohawk (as this in my opinion tends to kind of flatten Rosy as character), the entire premise of an Anne of Green Gables look-alike contest and that this novel, that The Contest actually takes place not only in my home province of Ontario but also in my home city of Hamilton (and that especially Caroline Stellings' realistic and in one's face sense of place is not only absolutely spot on so to speak but totally, utterly relatable and believable) makes me love love love The Contest (and with enough passion and feeling for a full and sparkling five star ranking).
Rosy is poor (and her family, her single hard working mother Robin often has to very much struggle to make both ends meet), but what truly and glowingly shines in Rosy's life, what Caroline Stellings has portrayed so wonderfully and heartfeltedly are her always always supportive family and neighbours (as The Contest truly does celebrate the perhaps a bit trite but indeed very much true philosophy that it takes an entire village to raise and succour children, with everyone in Rosy's working class and often struggling North Hamilton neighbourhood offering their encouragement and help in order for her to be able to attend the Anne of Green Gables Look Alike Contest in Rockton, Ontario). And if one then compares Rosy's life of poverty but imbued with support and help from her family and friends to that of Lydia, who although she comes from a wealthy family and background is generally totally alone and miserable (not to mention clumsy and perhaps even neurologically challenged to a point), with a mother who resides in England and does not really even want to visit and see her daughter and a surgeon father who is overly critical, always busy and at least at the beginning of The Contest much more interested in spending time with his nasty and horrid trophy girlfriend Tiffany, one realises (or one should understand) that it is really Lydia who not only physically very strongly resembles Anne of Green Gables but who also is internally and spiritually (as Rosy begins to understand) very much like Anne of Green Gables, or at least how Anne Shirley is portrayed as being at the beginning of Anne of Green Gables, that Lydia is very much is like an orphan, feeling as though she belongs to nobody and by letting Lydia win the contest, Rosy not only has acted with much forbearance and maturity, she has also made Lydia's father lastingly proud of his daughter and has with Lydia found a true friend and kindred spirit. And really, Rosy also ends up kind of also winning said contest, considering that Lydia insists that Rosy take the prize, the offered Anne of Green Gables boxed set (which is for me, the absolutely sweet icing on the cake with regard to The Contest, as Rosy does not only obtain her dream of finally owning a set of Anne of Green Gables books of her own, she has also been given this gift by Lydia, by a genuine, bona fide and indeed loyal friend, and thus Rosy's act of kindness, her basically throwing the contest to let Lydia win and thus shine in front of her father, has proven to be a boon and a total celebration for both girls).
Rosy is poor (and her family, her single hard working mother Robin often has to very much struggle to make both ends meet), but what truly and glowingly shines in Rosy's life, what Caroline Stellings has portrayed so wonderfully and heartfeltedly are her always always supportive family and neighbours (as The Contest truly does celebrate the perhaps a bit trite but indeed very much true philosophy that it takes an entire village to raise and succour children, with everyone in Rosy's working class and often struggling North Hamilton neighbourhood offering their encouragement and help in order for her to be able to attend the Anne of Green Gables Look Alike Contest in Rockton, Ontario). And if one then compares Rosy's life of poverty but imbued with support and help from her family and friends to that of Lydia, who although she comes from a wealthy family and background is generally totally alone and miserable (not to mention clumsy and perhaps even neurologically challenged to a point), with a mother who resides in England and does not really even want to visit and see her daughter and a surgeon father who is overly critical, always busy and at least at the beginning of The Contest much more interested in spending time with his nasty and horrid trophy girlfriend Tiffany, one realises (or one should understand) that it is really Lydia who not only physically very strongly resembles Anne of Green Gables but who also is internally and spiritually (as Rosy begins to understand) very much like Anne of Green Gables, or at least how Anne Shirley is portrayed as being at the beginning of Anne of Green Gables, that Lydia is very much is like an orphan, feeling as though she belongs to nobody and by letting Lydia win the contest, Rosy not only has acted with much forbearance and maturity, she has also made Lydia's father lastingly proud of his daughter and has with Lydia found a true friend and kindred spirit. And really, Rosy also ends up kind of also winning said contest, considering that Lydia insists that Rosy take the prize, the offered Anne of Green Gables boxed set (which is for me, the absolutely sweet icing on the cake with regard to The Contest, as Rosy does not only obtain her dream of finally owning a set of Anne of Green Gables books of her own, she has also been given this gift by Lydia, by a genuine, bona fide and indeed loyal friend, and thus Rosy's act of kindness, her basically throwing the contest to let Lydia win and thus shine in front of her father, has proven to be a boon and a total celebration for both girls).
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September 10, 2016This review was deleted following Amazon's purchase of GoodReads.
The review can still be viewed via LibraryThing, where my profile can be found here.
I'm also in the process of building a database at Booklikes, where I can be found here.
If you read/liked/clicked through to see this review here on GR, many thanks.
The review can still be viewed via LibraryThing, where my profile can be found here.
I'm also in the process of building a database at Booklikes, where I can be found here.
If you read/liked/clicked through to see this review here on GR, many thanks.
August 20, 2010
This was another winner for my daughter and me in the Gutsy Girl Series published by Second Story Press. This time the gutsy girl is Rosy Taylor, a Native Canadian (she’s half Mohawk) who lives in a single parent family with three brothers. Although their economic situation is dire, they are a close-knit family brought up with loving care and good family values. The story centers on Rosy’s desire to enter and win an Anne of Green Gables look-alike contest because the prize is a brand new set of Anne books. And Rosy doesn’t own new books.
Rosy is a great character—smart, courageous, determined and sometimes rude and selfish, but she comes through at the end of the book, revealing the depth of her character. She is perfectly flawed, and my daughter and I liked her. I enjoyed the cast of mixed characters from Mr. and Mrs. Spinelli to Mr. Wing and the hairstyling duo, Jay and Sebastian. Rosy also meets rich Lydia Parker who does look like Anne of Green Gables and who inadvertently changes Rosy’s perspective on several things in life. Rosy’s situation and her positive outlook despite the things she lacked are gentle lessons for my own daughter who gets brand new books monthly and doesn’t have to worry about whether we can afford to send her to university.
Again, this was a great mother/daughter read and we both definitely look forward to the next book to come out in the Gutsy Girl Series.
Rosy is a great character—smart, courageous, determined and sometimes rude and selfish, but she comes through at the end of the book, revealing the depth of her character. She is perfectly flawed, and my daughter and I liked her. I enjoyed the cast of mixed characters from Mr. and Mrs. Spinelli to Mr. Wing and the hairstyling duo, Jay and Sebastian. Rosy also meets rich Lydia Parker who does look like Anne of Green Gables and who inadvertently changes Rosy’s perspective on several things in life. Rosy’s situation and her positive outlook despite the things she lacked are gentle lessons for my own daughter who gets brand new books monthly and doesn’t have to worry about whether we can afford to send her to university.
Again, this was a great mother/daughter read and we both definitely look forward to the next book to come out in the Gutsy Girl Series.
October 5, 2014
In spite of the slightly frenetic pace of this book and the awkward characterizations, it is a charming story of 11-year-old Rosy, whose favorite thing in the world is Anne of Green Gables. Her family is too poor to have more than food on the table and a house to live in, so her dream of owning her own set of Anne books is destined to remain a dream. Fortunately there is the town library, and the upcoming Anne of Green Gables contest, where one girl will win first place and a set of Anne books based on her costume and appearance, and her knowledge of the books. Rosy knows she could win--but there are a few stumbling blocks. She has no way to get to the contest site, and she is half-Native. Who ever heard of an Anne with long black hair? When Rosy meets Lydia at the information meeting for the contest, she realizes that Lydia could win--she looks exactly like Anne. And it's not really fair, since Lydia is rich, and nothing she owns is hand-me-down. Pretty soon, though, Rosy begins to realize that the concepts of wealth and poverty are complex, and that she, Rosy, has far more than she ever knew. This Canadian import is a quick and enjoyable read for kids who, like Rosy, love Anne of Green Gables; Rosy herself is a courageous, feisty main character who makes the best of her situation. 4th-6th grade.
October 11, 2012
Readers will enjoy Rosy and her spunky attitude. Rosy is an avid Anne of Green Gables fan and when she learns of an Anne look-alike contest, she knows she has to compete. Could a native Canadian win a look-alike contest for a fair-skinned redhead? The fact that she is half-Mohawk worries her, but it doesn’t slow her down because she wants to win the prize: a complete set of the Anne of Green Gables books. Although the family is strikingly poor with medical issues related to the air quality due to all the factories, the close bond and strength of family and community shines. When Rosy meets another Anne look-alike competitor, she decides to befriend Lydia for the purely selfish reason that she may need a ride to the competition. When Lydia turns out to be wealthy, Rosy’s jealousy for all that Lydia has is expressed with blunt and humorous honesty reminiscent of the fabled Anne character. Lydia may have money but she is missing the love and emotional support Rosy has in abundance and their relationship is reminiscent of the friendship between Anne and Diana. Readers will finish seeking the Anne series to read and those already familiar with the Anne books will enjoy the connections.
December 25, 2018
This book is a really sweet and charming read about community and the power of story. The characterization is also great--Rosy is likable without being bland and perfect, and the large cast of supporting characters all stand out as distinct players in her story (although I was amused when Jay was referred to as Sebastian's 'friend' despite the book pretty unambiguously positioning them as a gay couple). The frequent detailed references to my hometown of Hamilton added an extra layer of interest for me.
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December 27, 2010This is a great book. It won the gold medal in New York City -- Foreword Magazine book of the Year in the juvenile category. And it has been nominated for the 2011 Hackmatack award.This author has 2 books nominated for the Hackmatack Award -- the Malagwatch Mice and the Cat who Discovered America has too.
October 9, 2009
Great book. Loved it, it was so funny, and great ending. I give this book a five star rating.
August 21, 2010
I thought this book was terrific. Rosy is such a lively character, and the secondary characters are also great. Very, very funny.
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August 9, 2011super cute book about learning who you are and what you have. My ten year old and I both loved it!
January 6, 2026
From my local Waterdown, Ontario author. Novel took place in Hamilton Ontario near Sanford ave. (Actually a few blocks where I grew up in the 80-90’s). Although this took place in a more recent time (author reference hybrid cars)
About the book: it is a quick read approx 140 pages. It’s about a poor girls who makes friends with a rich girl and both end up entering the same contest. The less fortunate girl struggles her way through chores paying back friends who help out on this journey to the contest. At the end, a thoughtful lesson is learned.
About the book: it is a quick read approx 140 pages. It’s about a poor girls who makes friends with a rich girl and both end up entering the same contest. The less fortunate girl struggles her way through chores paying back friends who help out on this journey to the contest. At the end, a thoughtful lesson is learned.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews