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Glitz
Ann Michelle is tired of her boring, sheltered life. She longs for something real . Then she meets Raquel Marissa Diaz-Raq for short. Sassy, streetwise, and totally fearless, Raq is everything Ann Michelle isn't. She has a voice to die for and the attitude to go with it, and she'll stop at nothing to be a star. All Ann Michelle wants is to go along for the ride. Even if that means leaving home to go on the road with Piper, both girls' favorite hip-hop artist. And shedding her identity along the way to become Glitz, a bolder- but not necessarily better-version of herself.
Crackling with authenticity, energy, and heart, Philana Marie Boles's first young adult novel is about the true meaning of friendship and the pitfalls of fame.
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Crackling with authenticity, energy, and heart, Philana Marie Boles's first young adult novel is about the true meaning of friendship and the pitfalls of fame.
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- GenresMusicRealistic Fiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2011
3 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Philana Marie Boles
6 books5 followersPhilana Marie Boles has a BFA in English/Creative Writing and Theater from Bowling Green State University and is the author of Little Divas - a popular novel for tweens - as well as the adult novels In the Paint and Blame It on Eve. She lives, writes and works as a consultant in New York City.
In addition to being a word artist, Philana has worked for Spike Lee's Brooklyn based film company (40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks), Glamour magazine (as a media relations assistant)and as a substitute teacher, which she often refers to as her "favorite gig of all".
One who unfailingly always gives any and all glory to God, Philana Marie Boles is also the founder of CeleRead, a "read-for fun" not-for-profit literacy campaign.
In addition to being a word artist, Philana has worked for Spike Lee's Brooklyn based film company (40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks), Glamour magazine (as a media relations assistant)and as a substitute teacher, which she often refers to as her "favorite gig of all".
One who unfailingly always gives any and all glory to God, Philana Marie Boles is also the founder of CeleRead, a "read-for fun" not-for-profit literacy campaign.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2011
17 yr old Ann Michelle lives in Ohio with her grandmother. Her life is quiet, predictable and safe. They live in a nice house, Ann Michelle goes to private school and her three friends always follow the rules.
After Ann Michelle befriends new girl, Raquel Marissa Diaz (Raq) she becomes someone else for awhile . Raq has grown up in foster care and has been in and out of juvie. She has a great voice and dreams of becoming a star.
Ann Michelle and Raq bond over their love of rap music. Especially, their love of Piper (in his early 20's) an underground up and coming MC.
From the beginning I knew I was going to like Ann Michelle's voice.
Earlier that day, because my regular lab partner for anatomy, was out with bronchitis, the new girl was assigned to the empty seat beside me. Raquel Diaz - Sister Whitney announced her name - caused an immediate hush as we all looked up at her. She was very pretty, but it was obvious from the way she rolled her eyes that she was also very tough. By the end of that day, every one of us do good girls rocking Catholic school uniforms was aware of the tattooed rebel (a microphone on her left wrist) new on the scene.
Ann Michelle is an excellent student and loves her grandmother but longs for a little more freedom. When Raq invites her to a concert on Halloween, she can't resist.
Raq gets them into an 18up concert featuring Piper MC. She also gets the two invited to his studio session in Detroit and a showcase at the Apollo, in NYC. Ann Michelle's new persona Glitz gives her the freedom to enjoy the adventure. Though Glitz knows it will all end eventually, and soon it becomes a little too dangerous for it not to.
The music descriptions could not have been better. I could see Piper MC's performance.
Oh, the sound was so electric! Such a contrast from the hard bass thuds of Millionaire Mal. Piper's beats were always unique, but this song, with an electric guitar as the main instrument, was the most unusual. It sounded more like heavy rock, without even a hint of stereotypical hip hop bass. No one in hip hop would dare spit over such a sound. Only Piper. The hungriest underdog in the junkyard. Mainstream success had nothing on underground love. His hype men right behind him, Piper stood waiting like the pro that he was. Calm, despite the crowd losing their minds. Patient. Too impossibly cool. He glanced back at one of his hype men, nodded and flashed that smile.
After Ann Michelle misses her curfew (first time) she decides to stay out and be Glitz for a little while longer. With Raq's encouragement one night quickly turns into a week. The two are riding with Piper MC and his hype man Sir Gee. I liked the time the author spent developing Piper and Sir Gee. It was nice to see the person not just the artist.
As you can already tell, I really enjoyed Glitz but I could've loved it more. When Raq comes along everyone warns Ann Michelle to stay away from her because it will lead to trouble. I liked that Ann Michelle doesn't listen, choosing instead to trust herself. For awhile I thought and hoped maybe everyone else was wrong. That Raq had changed and really was a great person.
It wasn't the fact that Raq turn out to be trouble that I didn't like, it was her lack of depth and the feeling that readers should be paying attention and learning from Ann Michelle's mistakes.
Glitz could've easily been one of my favorite reads of the year, if not for the feeling of a lesson to be learned.
Though I liked Glitz too much to end on that note. Boles writing was smooth and the dialogue natural. The author's love and knowledge of hip hop music shines through. Any novel that is set around music runs the risk of being dated by the artist named. Boles easily avoids this by only naming artists or groups that will always hold an important place in Hip Hop history, like Biggie, Tupac and Run DMC. Hip Hop fans will love Glitz. Actually this is a great choice for all music fans. ages 13 up
After Ann Michelle befriends new girl, Raquel Marissa Diaz (Raq) she becomes someone else for awhile . Raq has grown up in foster care and has been in and out of juvie. She has a great voice and dreams of becoming a star.
Ann Michelle and Raq bond over their love of rap music. Especially, their love of Piper (in his early 20's) an underground up and coming MC.
From the beginning I knew I was going to like Ann Michelle's voice.
Earlier that day, because my regular lab partner for anatomy, was out with bronchitis, the new girl was assigned to the empty seat beside me. Raquel Diaz - Sister Whitney announced her name - caused an immediate hush as we all looked up at her. She was very pretty, but it was obvious from the way she rolled her eyes that she was also very tough. By the end of that day, every one of us do good girls rocking Catholic school uniforms was aware of the tattooed rebel (a microphone on her left wrist) new on the scene.
Ann Michelle is an excellent student and loves her grandmother but longs for a little more freedom. When Raq invites her to a concert on Halloween, she can't resist.
Raq gets them into an 18up concert featuring Piper MC. She also gets the two invited to his studio session in Detroit and a showcase at the Apollo, in NYC. Ann Michelle's new persona Glitz gives her the freedom to enjoy the adventure. Though Glitz knows it will all end eventually, and soon it becomes a little too dangerous for it not to.
The music descriptions could not have been better. I could see Piper MC's performance.
Oh, the sound was so electric! Such a contrast from the hard bass thuds of Millionaire Mal. Piper's beats were always unique, but this song, with an electric guitar as the main instrument, was the most unusual. It sounded more like heavy rock, without even a hint of stereotypical hip hop bass. No one in hip hop would dare spit over such a sound. Only Piper. The hungriest underdog in the junkyard. Mainstream success had nothing on underground love. His hype men right behind him, Piper stood waiting like the pro that he was. Calm, despite the crowd losing their minds. Patient. Too impossibly cool. He glanced back at one of his hype men, nodded and flashed that smile.
After Ann Michelle misses her curfew (first time) she decides to stay out and be Glitz for a little while longer. With Raq's encouragement one night quickly turns into a week. The two are riding with Piper MC and his hype man Sir Gee. I liked the time the author spent developing Piper and Sir Gee. It was nice to see the person not just the artist.
As you can already tell, I really enjoyed Glitz but I could've loved it more. When Raq comes along everyone warns Ann Michelle to stay away from her because it will lead to trouble. I liked that Ann Michelle doesn't listen, choosing instead to trust herself. For awhile I thought and hoped maybe everyone else was wrong. That Raq had changed and really was a great person.
It wasn't the fact that Raq turn out to be trouble that I didn't like, it was her lack of depth and the feeling that readers should be paying attention and learning from Ann Michelle's mistakes.
Glitz could've easily been one of my favorite reads of the year, if not for the feeling of a lesson to be learned.
Though I liked Glitz too much to end on that note. Boles writing was smooth and the dialogue natural. The author's love and knowledge of hip hop music shines through. Any novel that is set around music runs the risk of being dated by the artist named. Boles easily avoids this by only naming artists or groups that will always hold an important place in Hip Hop history, like Biggie, Tupac and Run DMC. Hip Hop fans will love Glitz. Actually this is a great choice for all music fans. ages 13 up
September 5, 2011
While I'm always looking for the latest novel with underlying themes of music, GLITZ would fit more squarely with an appreciator of hip-hop. If you've ever been an obsessive fan of a certain band or musician, you'll relate to these two girls wanting to get up close and personal with Piper MC and his crew, the girls not only meet him backstage but manage to travel on the road with the group for a few days. Ann Michelle feels totally out of her depth having bailed on her grannies curfew to support her best friend as she aims for the stars with her singing career.
For the first half of the novel, I was seriously considering why musicians trying to make their way up in the biz would be bothering with a couple of teenage schoolgirls but a few things come to light later on that not only shock but explain what's going on in the background. I was almost annoyed at how many times Ann-Michelle ignored her instincts to turn her back on the road-trip, if it was me I would've got out of there when the shots broke out at the house party but it's not until a major milestone happens that sets her mind right to return home.
Raquel isn't an easily liked character, she's super-confident and willing to step on almost anyones toes to get her name in lights. She doesn't mind stealing credit cards or bad-mouthing the guys in the band who have helped along her career in the tiniest bit just to get where she wants to be.
Overall, this novel casts a dark light on the music industry of today and while it was an easy read, I failed to completely connect with the characters. The fact that this novel has received so little attention is a clear statement as to whether you should pick up this book or not.
For the first half of the novel, I was seriously considering why musicians trying to make their way up in the biz would be bothering with a couple of teenage schoolgirls but a few things come to light later on that not only shock but explain what's going on in the background. I was almost annoyed at how many times Ann-Michelle ignored her instincts to turn her back on the road-trip, if it was me I would've got out of there when the shots broke out at the house party but it's not until a major milestone happens that sets her mind right to return home.
Raquel isn't an easily liked character, she's super-confident and willing to step on almost anyones toes to get her name in lights. She doesn't mind stealing credit cards or bad-mouthing the guys in the band who have helped along her career in the tiniest bit just to get where she wants to be.
Overall, this novel casts a dark light on the music industry of today and while it was an easy read, I failed to completely connect with the characters. The fact that this novel has received so little attention is a clear statement as to whether you should pick up this book or not.
February 23, 2012
Reading Level: Grades 7+
Ann Michelle has a quiet life, living with her grandma, going to school, hanging with her friends, listening to hip hop music and lusting after the artists. Everything changes when Rachel, who insists everyone call her Raq to acknowledge the rock star that she is, crashes into Ann Michelle’s life. Raq is everything Ann Michelle isn’t – she’s sassy, loud, confident, boisterous, and (according to Ann Michelle’s grandma) dangerous. But Ann Michelle likes the person Raq brings out of her, and one night, she sneaks out to go to a concert with her new friend. True to her rock star lifestyle, Raq scores the girls backstage passes, and soon Ann Michelle finds herself face to face with her favorite hip hop artist, Piper. Ann Michelle introduces herself to him as Glitz, and with that first simple lie, her personality whirlwinds into a sexy, confident, bold girl. When Piper and his entourage invite Raq and Glitz to the recording studio with them, the old Ann Michelle’s propriety and adherence to rules are squashed. Before she realizes it, the girls are on their way to New York City with Piper and his crew to record a big demo, which Raq hopes she will push her way onto. The further she gets from home, the more Glitz realizes the mistake she’s made.
For more book reviews from the HPPL Youth Department, click here.
Ann Michelle has a quiet life, living with her grandma, going to school, hanging with her friends, listening to hip hop music and lusting after the artists. Everything changes when Rachel, who insists everyone call her Raq to acknowledge the rock star that she is, crashes into Ann Michelle’s life. Raq is everything Ann Michelle isn’t – she’s sassy, loud, confident, boisterous, and (according to Ann Michelle’s grandma) dangerous. But Ann Michelle likes the person Raq brings out of her, and one night, she sneaks out to go to a concert with her new friend. True to her rock star lifestyle, Raq scores the girls backstage passes, and soon Ann Michelle finds herself face to face with her favorite hip hop artist, Piper. Ann Michelle introduces herself to him as Glitz, and with that first simple lie, her personality whirlwinds into a sexy, confident, bold girl. When Piper and his entourage invite Raq and Glitz to the recording studio with them, the old Ann Michelle’s propriety and adherence to rules are squashed. Before she realizes it, the girls are on their way to New York City with Piper and his crew to record a big demo, which Raq hopes she will push her way onto. The further she gets from home, the more Glitz realizes the mistake she’s made.
For more book reviews from the HPPL Youth Department, click here.
July 16, 2011
Ann Michelle has a quiet life, living with her grandma, going to school, hanging with her friends, listening to hip hop music and lusting after the artists. Everything changes when Rachel, who insists everyone call her Raq to acknowledge the rock star that she is, crashes into Ann Michelle’s life. Raq is everything Ann Michelle isn’t – she’s sassy, loud, confident, boisterous, and (according to Ann Michelle’s grandma) dangerous. But Ann Michelle likes the person Raq brings out of her, and one night, she sneaks out to go to a concert with her new friend. True to her rock star lifestyle, Raq scores the girls backstage passes, and soon Ann Michelle finds herself face to face with her favorite hip hop artist, Piper. Ann Michelle introduces herself to him as Glitz, and with that first simple lie, her personality whirlwinds into a sexy, confident, bold girl. When Piper and his entourage invite Raq and Glitz to the recording studio with them, the old Ann Michelle’s propriety and adherence to rules are squashed. Before she realizes it, the girls are on their way to New York City with Piper and his crew to record a big demo, which Raq hopes she will push her way onto. The further she gets from home, the more Glitz realizes the mistake she’s made.
January 23, 2011
The story of a well-brought-up (one might say coddled and protected) girl being entranced by a so-called bad girl is classic; in this case, the setting is Toledo and the world of hip-hop.
Ann Michele uses hip-hop songs as a way of imagining a world beyond Toledo and her strict Gramma, and meeting Raquel (aka "Raq") starts her on the road to seeing things outside her normal sphere. Gramma is convinced Raq is a devil-worshiping, drug taking slut - Ann Michele is entranced by her devil-may-care attitude and appreciation for the same music and language that Ann Michele likes. One Hallowe'en they head to a party and end up spending a week with an up-and-coming rapper named Piper and his crew.
I'm not sure why Gramma doesn't trust Raq's foster parents to provide a safe environment for Ann Michele, but she doesn't. It is true to Raq's life is one of lies, stealing and taking advantage of those around her, but even as she morphs into Glitz it's clear that Ann Michele is troubled by that side of her friend.
The language may take some decoding if you're not into hip-hop, but the story will appeal to most teens.
ARC provided by publisher.
Ann Michele uses hip-hop songs as a way of imagining a world beyond Toledo and her strict Gramma, and meeting Raquel (aka "Raq") starts her on the road to seeing things outside her normal sphere. Gramma is convinced Raq is a devil-worshiping, drug taking slut - Ann Michele is entranced by her devil-may-care attitude and appreciation for the same music and language that Ann Michele likes. One Hallowe'en they head to a party and end up spending a week with an up-and-coming rapper named Piper and his crew.
I'm not sure why Gramma doesn't trust Raq's foster parents to provide a safe environment for Ann Michele, but she doesn't. It is true to Raq's life is one of lies, stealing and taking advantage of those around her, but even as she morphs into Glitz it's clear that Ann Michele is troubled by that side of her friend.
The language may take some decoding if you're not into hip-hop, but the story will appeal to most teens.
ARC provided by publisher.
December 4, 2011
Half ridiculous and half enjoyable. The entire book requires you suspend belief and yet it's still an enjoyable ride because the writing is fun. Glitz, who from the beginning talks about what a good girl she is, drops everything the second Raq comes around and then goes on this wild trip where she skips school, sneaks into clubs, and more. Bizarre.
I'm left a little confused on what to classify this as, too. It's not a story of friendship or of finding one's self. A lot happens and nothing happens at the same time, and there's really not an arc to Glitz's character. Yet I still enjoyed it and I think that readers who want something that's not heavy would enjoy it.
I'm left a little confused on what to classify this as, too. It's not a story of friendship or of finding one's self. A lot happens and nothing happens at the same time, and there's really not an arc to Glitz's character. Yet I still enjoyed it and I think that readers who want something that's not heavy would enjoy it.
May 15, 2011
i really like this book but i think Raq was very selfish and didn't really care about glitz just wanted someone to keep her company along the way, Ann should have just gone home from the get go and they also didn't end the story very well she could have added more detail like they would be talking about something and then the subject would completely change with no explination
May 4, 2012
The intended audiences for Philana Marie Boles’ Glitz are teenagers and young adults. Her main points are: to not put all of your trust in anyone or anything and to always have a back-up plan. I agree with these points because they are true. Boles successfully conveys her points through a fascinating, modern, and relatable story. I would recommend this book to any of my friends.
June 13, 2011
It was an okay book. Not the best I had ever read though.
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June 1, 2016An okay story. Not completely my type, especially since I don't usually listen to hip-hop like the characters in the book do.
July 25, 2015
Eh. The outline was good, but the plot wasn't.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews