Girl vs. Superstar

Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker #1

by Robin Palmer

Sixth grade is hard enough for Lucy B. Parker, but it gets so much worse when her mom announces that she’s going to marry Laurel Moses’s dad. Yes, that Laurel Moses—the TV-movie-music star who makes Hannah Montana look like some random kid from the sticks. Suddenly, Lucy’s life is turned upside down and sideways. All Lucy wants to do is get through the day without totally embarrassing herself too much, but that’s hard to do when you’re the less-pretty, less-talented not-quite sister of a mega superstar.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Contemporary, Friendship

215 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2010

About the author

Robin Palmer grew up in Massachusetts and New Jersey, and after graduating from Boston University, moved to Hollywood. Starting as an assistant in the television literary department of the William Morris Agency, she quickly moved up the ranks and spent the next decade as a literary agent, producer, and television network executive at Lifetime Television, where she developed over one hundred scripts and oversaw the production of many of the network's original movies.

In 2001, she remembered that she had originally intended to spend her life either as a writer or a toll booth collector (so she could indulge her penchant for spending her days alone reading), but as there are no toll roads in southern California, she decided to give the writing thing a try. Since then, she's written everything from "To Do" lists to screenplays to essays to love letters and, of course, novels.

She currently resides in New York City.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl vs. Superstar is the first book in the yours truly, Lucy B. Parker series by Robin Palmer.

Lucy B. Parker is a sixth-grader that gets dumped by her two best friends before school starts because she's a tomboy and doesn't like doing girly things. She wants to get her period and even has a notebook where she documents when the girls in the grades get their periods. Lucy often e-mails Dr. Maude, a psychologist she watches, about her problems that she faces.

Her parents are divorced, but they are both seeing someone. She learns that he mom is dating Alan Moses, father of superstar, Laurel Moses. Lucy can't stand Laurel because of several incidents that lead to embarrassment for Lucy that is caused by Laurel (at least that's what Lucy thinks). Will Lucy ever get her period? Will she become friends again with the two that dumped her? Is there more to Laurel than Lucy believes?

I liked this book, but I did find myself getting frustrated with Lucy. There's a girl, Marissa that she hangs out with that she describes as annoying and wants to be her BFF. I felt really sorry for Marissa. I liked that every chapter started off with an e-mail from Lucy to Dr. Maude. I thought there were some really funny parts to the book, especially Lucy's obsession with pantiliners.

[Celine]

Dieses Buch habe ich vor ein paar Jahren so geliebt!😂😍ich glaube, ich habe es sogar mehrmals gelesen

[Ana Lelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's a book for teenagers, I enjoyed it. It's sweet and fun. I'm not sure if I will continue the series, but it was nice reading this one.

[Sassá · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author perfectly captured the spirit of a preteen. Lucy at times irritates, at others amuses and also moves. The book gets more interesting when she moves to New York. What I didn't like was Lucy making light of the girls who paid attention to her while almost begging for attention from those who snubbed her. I heard from the reviews that it's a series. Well, the publisher could have published everything.

[Brandi Overton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Nikoleta Katsiouli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η Λούσι Μπ. Πάρκερ είναι ένα κορίτσι της έκτης δημοτικού.Λίγο πριν αρχίσει το σχολείο χάνει απότομα τις δύο καλύτερες φίλες της , Ρέιτσελ και Μίσι , γιατί είναι ένα αγοροκόριτσο που δεν του αρέσει να κάνει κοριτσίστικα πράγματα .

Η Λούσι έχει δικό της στυλ και άνεση! Αυτό που δεν έχει είναι μια BFF, μια καλύτερη φίλη . Η Μαρίσα νομίζει ότι είναι BFFς , αλλά η Λούσι λέει ότι είναι κάθε άλλο παρά αυτό. Η Μαρίσα είναι ενοχλητική, αλλά είναι καλύτερα από το να μην έχεις καθόλου φίλους . Και σαν να μην έφταναν όλα αυτά έρχεται και κάτι άλλο να κάνει τη ζωή της δύσκολη ,δεν έχει ακόμα την περίοδο της. Είναι πολύ καλά προετοιμασμένη, αλλά τίποτα ακόμα .


Οι γονείς της έχουν χωρίσει, αλλά και οι δύο βλέπουν κάποιον αυτό το καιρό. Και έτσι ξαφνικά μαθαίνει ότι η μαμά της βγαίνει με τον Άλαν Μόουζες, τον πατέρα της σούπερ σταρ , Λόρελ Μόουζες. Τον μπαμπά της κοπέλας του περιστατικού με το καπέλο! Η Λούσι συναντά τη Λόρελ και επισήμως , αλλά καμία από τις δύο κοπέλες δεν είναι και πολύ εντυπωσιασμένη από την άλλη . Η Λούσι δεν μπορεί να ανεχθεί τη Λόρελ και αυτό λόγω πολλών περιστατικών που οδηγούν σε αμηχανία συνεχώς τη Λούσι . Γεγονότα που συνήθως προκαλούνται από τη Λόρελ (η αυτό είναι που σκέφτεται η Λούσι) . Αλλά μήπως υπάρχουν πολύ περισσότερα σε σχέση με τη Λόρελ από ότι πιστεύει ότι υπάρχει η Λούσι;

Μου άρεσε αυτό το βιβλίο , αλλά βρήκα τον εαυτό μου να απογοητεύετε με τη Λούσι αρκετές φορές. Κάτι τρομερά ενδιαφέρον , κάθε κεφάλαιο ξεκινά με ένα e - mail από τη Δρ Μόουντ. Νομίζω ότι ήταν από τα πιο πραγματικά αστεία μέρη του βιβλίου , ιδιαίτερα η εμμονή της Λούσι με την περίοδό της και τα σερβιετάκια .Η εφηβική αγωνία της Λούσι, και το χιούμορ που χρησιμοποιεί για να πλαισιώσει τις εμπειρίες της θα σας κάνουν να γελάσετε δυνατά, σε αρκετές περιπτώσεις.

Η ανάπτυξη των σχέσεων της με την περίφημη "ετεροθαλής αδελφή" της εκτελούνται όμορφα . Μέσα από την ιστορία μας δίνετε η ευκαιρία να δούμε , πέραν των φαινομένων αλλά και τις πιέσεις που αντιμετωπίζουν οι νέοι σταρ που εξακολουθούν, παρά τη φήμη τους , να είναι οι έφηβοι που ασχολούνται με το ίδια θέματα όπως και κάθε άλλος έφηβος και να αντιμετωπίζουν και τα ίδια προβλήματα .

Η ζεστασιά του βιβλίου και η διασκέδαση που μου παρείχε μου επέτρεψε να αγνοήσω εντελώς τις αρχικές επιφυλάξεις μου γι 'αυτό – μπορώ να σας πω πως θα τρέξω να διαβάσω το σίκουελ!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucy B. Parker has style and pizazz! What she doesn't have is a BFF. Marissa thinks they are BFF's, but Lucy says they are anything but. Marissa is annoying but it's better than having no friends at all. She used to be friends with Rachel and Missy, but they friend-dumped her. Something else making her life difficult is that she has not gotten her period yet. She's very well-prepared but nothing yet.

Then her mother bombshells her and tells her that she's been dating the father of the most popular teen star on tv! OMG!!! This can't be happening! Laurel Moses is the girl from the Hat Incident! (It's a long story.) When Lucy meets Laurel and is formally introduced, neither girl is very impressed by the other.

As the relationship between Laurel's dad and Lucy's Mom continues, Lucy wonders what will happen if it leads to marriage? To have Laurel Moses as a stepsister? Ugh!

I can see how this series appeals to tween girls. However, it is poorly written and sets a bad example: the way Lucy treats Marissa and talks about her is rude and mean. I found myself waiting for Lucy to realize that her behavior towards and discussion of Marissa was just awful, but it never came.

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for work, and I never would have read it otherwise. The premise of regular-girl's-mom marries child-star's dad is just too far-fetched for my taste. But I'm glad work dropped this into my lap, because it really was a delightful read.

Lucy B.'s "voice" is right-on for adolescent angst, and the humor she uses to frame her experiences had me laughing out loud on several occasions. The development of her relationship with her famous "stepsister-to-be" is beautifully executed, with a nice bit of commentary about looking beyond appearances/assumptions and the pressures faced by young stars who are still, despite their fame, teenagers dealing with the same teenager issues as others. Although the end segment of the book felt a little off-kilter, the pacing and plot development was sound overall. And the book's warmth and fun allowed me to completely overlook my initial reservations about it -- I may even hunt down the sequel!

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker: Girl vs. Superstar by Robin Palmer
(New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2010)
Book Review
March 10, 2011
This cute book highlights the life of Lucy Parker, a young middle school girl whose mother tutors Laurel Moses. “THE Laurel Moses,” Lucy writes in first person. Laurel Moses is the book’s equivalent of American teen sensation Miley Cyrus. When Lucy’s mom falls in love with Laurel’s dad, Lucy must learn to deal with being the soon-to-be stepsister of the most well-known teen in the world. Lucy must also deal with all of the tragedies and triumphs of middle school. Who knows? Maybe a famous stepsister might be help after all. Content: PG-13.
Brenda Anderson, Library Media Specialist, Eastmont Middle School

[Germaine Yuen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the author really used the right language in this book. She wrote it as first person, of course, as Lucy and she wrote it in a way teenagers would have acted. All the things robin wrote down were really dramatic. Usually, teenagers like to exaggerate the situation so it sounds more exciting. She also includes the reader in the book by using this informal language. The basic storyline about her mum and a superstar's dad getting married is kind of unrealistic, but it was interesting to feel the feelings of the main character, Lucy. Also, to see how hard it was for her to cope, with everything.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lucy B. Parker is a funny, relatable character who is always emailing Dr. Maude (a Dr. Phil-ish celebrity) about her problems. She's awkward and is always getting into embarrassing situations. It gets worse when her mom starts dating the father of Laurel Moses, one of the most famous teens in America. Laurel seems pretty perfect and Lucy feels like she can't compare. Despite a rough start Lucy and Laurel end up becoming close friends. I'd recommend this book for girls in 5th and 6th grade.

[Mrs. Nelson's · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lucy B. Parker is a funny, relatable character who is always emailing Dr. Maude (a Dr. Phil-ish celebrity) about her problems. She's awkward and is always getting into embarrassing situations. It gets worse when her mom starts dating the father of Laurel Moses, one of the most famous teens in America. Laurel seems pretty perfect and Lucy feels like she can't compare. Despite a rough start Lucy and Laurel end up becoming close friends. I'd recommend this book for girls in 5th and 6th grade.
--Review by Lauren

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally a tween grrrl book. Lucy angsts about girl friends, her bra, who has their period, and her not so favorite BFF.
In the midst of all this she is shocked to find that her mother has decided to marry Alan, coincidentally the widowed dad of tween superstar Laurel Moses.
A certain group of 9-11's will find this book a resonant and fun diversion. Lucy is good hearted, if wacky and Laurel, it turns out, could really use a friend.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy B. Parker is your average girl with one sort of up and coming best friend after she was dumped by her previous because she wasn't mature enough. In this case, mature meant being snotty and mean and caring only about looks and makeup. She now has to deal with a creepily tidy soon to be step sister who just happens to be extremely famous. Lucy feels like she'll never be good enough to keep up with Laurel Moses and this insecurity is what girls all over the world can relate to.

[Natia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really great book. I really like Lucy B. Parker. She always writes emails to Dr. Maude. She is going to become stepsisters with Laurel Moses, a superstar. She has a lot going on in her life. She has to move to New York, her mom is getting married to Alan Moses(Laurel's dad), her dad's girlfriend, Sarah, is expecting a baby, her best friends friend-dumped her. She went through a lot, but she pushed through it all and made it past that. It was a really good book.

[Vika Kartseva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a mix of happy and sad emotions. The two girls in the book where very different, but in the end they came to like eachother. It tought me that even if your friend is very different from you, you can still be friends whitout fighting to much.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good. I saw this book one time and decided not to check it out, but then i did and i am happy that i did. It is about a girl who moves to new york and is stepsisters with the quote un quote most famous girl in America.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the tradition of Blume's "Are you there God, it's me Margaret", this book would appeal to young tween/teen girls ages 11-13. First one in a series and had alot of funny moments. Played off of the whole Hannah Montana thing.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion this is the best Lucy B. Parker book I have read so far. It is about a girl who is walking down the street and a super star takes her hat to do a scene and she has a blad spot on her head. Her mom and the superstars dad meet and fall in love. What do you think happens next?

[Shelleyd]

It was a fun, pretty clean middle grade series opener, reminiscent of Meg Cabot's Allie Finkle series. Some of the puberty stuff was a little overdone and slightly bizarre, but Lucy is a quirky protagonist.

[Pam Lawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Not in my usual genre, it was recommended by a friend and I was quite happily surprised! Lucy is a fun character - and so easy to relate to, even if you are a chick in her 50's!!

[Francesca! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story line with lots of laughs and heartwarming as well. Easy read and would recommend it for children my age or a bit younger!

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very fun little book from the young adult section. Main characters are engaging and the story pleasantly swims along to a satisfying conclusion.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT! ABOSULUTELY FABULOUS!

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT!

[Aya E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its one of the best " childrens" book i have ever read. i really loved it

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

<3

[♥koolkat♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love lucy b. parker! She is so cool and i luv the part when she meeetes beatrice and i hope she meets DR. Maude! This was my favorite book so far!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great 1st book to the series.

[Francesca Zola]

I loved it!!!