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Angels Unlimited #4
Calling the Shots
Chapter One When I was alive, I had totally the wrong idea about Heaven.
Each time I heard the word, this spooky film. footage came up on my mental screen. I'd picture myself wandering ankle-deep in little fluffy clouds through a vast empty waiting room, Apart from the heavenly Muzak playing over the PA system, there wasn't a sound. No swoosh of traffic, no pounding hip-hop beat, no chatting, laughing or crying. Nada. Omigosh, I'd think, if this is Heaven, what must that other place be like!
Then, twenty-four hours after my thirteenth birthday, I was knocked down by some youth in a speeding car and bam! I was checking out the heavenly facilities for. real.
Not only that, I had been talent-spotted to be a trainee angel! I have no idea how that happened 'and I don't really care. The good news is you can all relax. There is no cloud-filled waiting room.
I live bang in the middle of a big, buzzy, beautiful city, filled with shops, cafes and the loveliest gardens you ever saw. The beach is like, minutes away. Lola and I go there constantly.
It's weird to think that if I hadn't died, Lola and I would never have met, because originally she's from the twenty-second century. Her full name is Lola Sanchez, also known as Lollie. We met on my first day here and I'm not exaggerating, we are total soul mates. We love the same fashions, the exact same music, and are both deeply dedicated shoppers.
I've shocked you, haven't I? You had no idea it was possible to go shopping in Heaven! But like Lola says, "Well, duh! Who do you think Invented shopping malls in the first place!"
Don't go thinking my new life is one long heavenly beach party. I still go to school,remember. The sole purpose of the Academy is to train us to. be celestial agents; -angels in other words. This means the Agency (that's like, Angel HQ) is constantly monitoring our progress. Plus my teacher, Mr. Allbright, doesn't let- us get away with a thing. I have never studied so hard in-my whole existence as I do in that guy's class.
To be honest, I never saw the point of school when I was alive. My teachers made everything so boxing. Even history, if you can believe that. The Angel Academy takes a much more hands-on approach. We don't just memorize dates and read books. We genuinely experience history.
Yes, I'm talking actual time-travel! This is not mere time tourism, okay? We're training to be celestial trouble -shooters, so we have to do everything the professional agents do. Lola and I are now so, hooked that we signed up to study Earth history as our special subject. It's like I finally found what I was created for.
And yet ... I still didn't totally believe I was an angel.
Oh, I looked the part! When I checked in the mirror there I was, glowing with that rosy angel glow, in my favorite school casuals with the cool Academy logo. I had my new ID in my wallet. I had my official angel name (it's Helix). Plus I already had several -angelic missions safely under my belt.
But somewhere inside I still thought of myself as the same old Melanie Beeby, -the insecure girl I used to be, before that joyrider booted me out of t he twenty-first century into the Afterlife.
Then something happened which completely changed my attitude.
Lola and I were in our favorite department store on an urgent mission to buy her the ultimate pair of biker boots. We sailed up theescalator, yakking away, when with absolutely no warning, the entire store started rushing away from me; sort of like a tidal wave in reverse.
In the blink of an eye, all the shoppers, bright lights, and displays of cute celestial handbags were miles below, looking exactly like a pretty pattern in a kid's kaleidoscope.
My actual body was still traveling up the escalator. I could feel my fingers, clinging on to the handrail. But my inner angel or whatever stared down with interest from its new perch in outer space.
Snatches of conversation -zipped past. There was a gale of girly laughter, so dose it tickled. Someone was plonking out a- tune on an oldfashioned piano and someone else started singing, "Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon." And the whole time, I could feel this unknown force pulling and tugging at me.
Then like a cosmic rubber band, I pinged back, to the department store. I staggered off the escalator, totally weirded out.
"Boo, are you okay?" Lola was asking anxiously. I don't know why she calls me Boo. Lola is constantly giving her mates weird nicknames.
"I'm great," I gulped. "We'll find you those biker boots if it's the last thing we do I"
Lola shook her head. "Change of plan, babe."
She steered me firmly toward the down escalator. Minutes later we were sitting at one of Guru's outdoor tables in the sun. Mo brought our smoothies, waving away my ID. Alt's on the house, ' he insisted. 'You look like you- need them. I bet you skipped breakfast, am I right?
I gave him a feeble grin. "Yeah yeah, it's the most important meal of...
Each time I heard the word, this spooky film. footage came up on my mental screen. I'd picture myself wandering ankle-deep in little fluffy clouds through a vast empty waiting room, Apart from the heavenly Muzak playing over the PA system, there wasn't a sound. No swoosh of traffic, no pounding hip-hop beat, no chatting, laughing or crying. Nada. Omigosh, I'd think, if this is Heaven, what must that other place be like!
Then, twenty-four hours after my thirteenth birthday, I was knocked down by some youth in a speeding car and bam! I was checking out the heavenly facilities for. real.
Not only that, I had been talent-spotted to be a trainee angel! I have no idea how that happened 'and I don't really care. The good news is you can all relax. There is no cloud-filled waiting room.
I live bang in the middle of a big, buzzy, beautiful city, filled with shops, cafes and the loveliest gardens you ever saw. The beach is like, minutes away. Lola and I go there constantly.
It's weird to think that if I hadn't died, Lola and I would never have met, because originally she's from the twenty-second century. Her full name is Lola Sanchez, also known as Lollie. We met on my first day here and I'm not exaggerating, we are total soul mates. We love the same fashions, the exact same music, and are both deeply dedicated shoppers.
I've shocked you, haven't I? You had no idea it was possible to go shopping in Heaven! But like Lola says, "Well, duh! Who do you think Invented shopping malls in the first place!"
Don't go thinking my new life is one long heavenly beach party. I still go to school,remember. The sole purpose of the Academy is to train us to. be celestial agents; -angels in other words. This means the Agency (that's like, Angel HQ) is constantly monitoring our progress. Plus my teacher, Mr. Allbright, doesn't let- us get away with a thing. I have never studied so hard in-my whole existence as I do in that guy's class.
To be honest, I never saw the point of school when I was alive. My teachers made everything so boxing. Even history, if you can believe that. The Angel Academy takes a much more hands-on approach. We don't just memorize dates and read books. We genuinely experience history.
Yes, I'm talking actual time-travel! This is not mere time tourism, okay? We're training to be celestial trouble -shooters, so we have to do everything the professional agents do. Lola and I are now so, hooked that we signed up to study Earth history as our special subject. It's like I finally found what I was created for.
And yet ... I still didn't totally believe I was an angel.
Oh, I looked the part! When I checked in the mirror there I was, glowing with that rosy angel glow, in my favorite school casuals with the cool Academy logo. I had my new ID in my wallet. I had my official angel name (it's Helix). Plus I already had several -angelic missions safely under my belt.
But somewhere inside I still thought of myself as the same old Melanie Beeby, -the insecure girl I used to be, before that joyrider booted me out of t he twenty-first century into the Afterlife.
Then something happened which completely changed my attitude.
Lola and I were in our favorite department store on an urgent mission to buy her the ultimate pair of biker boots. We sailed up theescalator, yakking away, when with absolutely no warning, the entire store started rushing away from me; sort of like a tidal wave in reverse.
In the blink of an eye, all the shoppers, bright lights, and displays of cute celestial handbags were miles below, looking exactly like a pretty pattern in a kid's kaleidoscope.
My actual body was still traveling up the escalator. I could feel my fingers, clinging on to the handrail. But my inner angel or whatever stared down with interest from its new perch in outer space.
Snatches of conversation -zipped past. There was a gale of girly laughter, so dose it tickled. Someone was plonking out a- tune on an oldfashioned piano and someone else started singing, "Put another nickel in, in the nickelodeon." And the whole time, I could feel this unknown force pulling and tugging at me.
Then like a cosmic rubber band, I pinged back, to the department store. I staggered off the escalator, totally weirded out.
"Boo, are you okay?" Lola was asking anxiously. I don't know why she calls me Boo. Lola is constantly giving her mates weird nicknames.
"I'm great," I gulped. "We'll find you those biker boots if it's the last thing we do I"
Lola shook her head. "Change of plan, babe."
She steered me firmly toward the down escalator. Minutes later we were sitting at one of Guru's outdoor tables in the sun. Mo brought our smoothies, waving away my ID. Alt's on the house, ' he insisted. 'You look like you- need them. I bet you skipped breakfast, am I right?
I gave him a feeble grin. "Yeah yeah, it's the most important meal of...
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
11 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Annie Dalton
96 books97 followersAnnie grew up as an only child in the English countryside during the 1950s. Her father was not always around but when he was, he would tell her fantastical stories, often with her as the principal character. Annie missed him and his stories, which led her to the fantasy section at her local library, thus sparking life-long love of fiction.
After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.
Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.
After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.
Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 11, 2020
Great continuation of the Angels Unlimited series. I like this book because it delves into two big issues - depression and accepting that small things can be meaningful - but Dalton does a good job of keeping it lighter and more understandable for children.
March 2, 2013
Quick and easy read, but it just gives me hope of a sort, when I'm going through hard times. It's light and it's about what comes after death. Heaven and angels.
January 31, 2021
Die Engel & Co Bücher sind für mich absolute Wohlfühl-Bücher. Mit diesen Bücher kann ich zwischendurch einfach mal Abtauchen und Lisa auf ihren Engelseinsätzen begleiten. Von Band zu Band entwickelt sich die Protagonistin zu ihrem Vorteil weiter. Es macht Spaß, sie dabei zu begleiten. Das Ganze ist so warmherzig geschrieben. Selbst bei traurigen Ereignissen wird immer irgendetwas Positives, Hoffnung und Zuversicht vermittelt. Das macht diese Buchreihe u.a. für mich so besonders.
May 4, 2020
4 Sterne
In diesem Buch wird ein schwieriges Thema behandelt und für Kinder gut aufgearbeitet. Dazu mag ich, dass hier wieder einiges an geschichtlichem Wissen vermittelt wird.
In diesem Buch wird ein schwieriges Thema behandelt und für Kinder gut aufgearbeitet. Dazu mag ich, dass hier wieder einiges an geschichtlichem Wissen vermittelt wird.
June 24, 2010
I do enjoy this series. :) Wish I'd found it when I was younger, but they're still fun to read now!
December 31, 2018
Ending 2018 with an old favourite from when I was 11/12. That was around the time that I had just started schooling in English, so even though I knew the language was really simple in this series, I appreciated it. I was able to expand my vocabulary while reading stories that were actually targeted at my age group, and not first graders.
I loved the stories back then too, and can still see their charm today. There were other more memorable periods and locations in other books, but 1920s USA wasn’t too shabby in Calling the Shots either. I liked that Mel was separated from her friends for the first time and had to take care of a mission herself. The family she was placed with didn’t have it easy, so it made sense a guardian angel would be assigned to them.
Pretty sure this is also one of the first few works of fiction that I read as a child that shed light on racism and it’s impact, while also expressing indignation towards such bigotry.
I loved the stories back then too, and can still see their charm today. There were other more memorable periods and locations in other books, but 1920s USA wasn’t too shabby in Calling the Shots either. I liked that Mel was separated from her friends for the first time and had to take care of a mission herself. The family she was placed with didn’t have it easy, so it made sense a guardian angel would be assigned to them.
Pretty sure this is also one of the first few works of fiction that I read as a child that shed light on racism and it’s impact, while also expressing indignation towards such bigotry.
September 8, 2018
This was a good one in the series when Mel and her friends are sent on assignments alone for the first time and Mel ends up going back to the 1920s.
This really is a good series for young adults.
This really is a good series for young adults.
December 18, 2018
Literally a keeper.
June 5, 2022
Character - 7
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 7
Rating: 6.57 / 3 stars
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 7
Rating: 6.57 / 3 stars
May 26, 2023
a bit more boring but still a good time
June 19, 2024
Le ton léger et enfantin de la narratrice me plaît toujours autant. Elle a la naïveté et l'égocentrisme des plus jeunes ainsi que la détermination et la bonne humeur qui va avec.
Résumé en narration à chaque début de tome. Un peu long pour un si petit livre? Je ne sais pas ; perso j'aime bien, ça me remet dedans. Je pense aussi à ceux qui laissent passer beaucoup de temps entre deux tomes ou ceux qui découvrent la saga avec un tome autre que le un (comme moi) et qui peuvent ainsi lire sans soucis. C'est confortable même pour moi qui me suis lancée dans un “Un soir, Un tome”. Par contre, les passages copier-coller, c'est moins bien. Notamment la présentation de l'archange Michael.
Hollywood, 1920. Une mission que j'ai trouvé intéressante. Comme chaque fois, dès qu'ils sont sur Terre, j'ai du mal à lâcher le livre.
Résumé en narration à chaque début de tome. Un peu long pour un si petit livre? Je ne sais pas ; perso j'aime bien, ça me remet dedans. Je pense aussi à ceux qui laissent passer beaucoup de temps entre deux tomes ou ceux qui découvrent la saga avec un tome autre que le un (comme moi) et qui peuvent ainsi lire sans soucis. C'est confortable même pour moi qui me suis lancée dans un “Un soir, Un tome”. Par contre, les passages copier-coller, c'est moins bien. Notamment la présentation de l'archange Michael.
Hollywood, 1920. Une mission que j'ai trouvé intéressante. Comme chaque fois, dès qu'ils sont sur Terre, j'ai du mal à lâcher le livre.
February 6, 2022
Loved this one when I was younger, definitely on the younger side of YA, though. Very sweet.
January 8, 2021
This book was probably my third favourite from what I can remember. I finished it really quickly though, in about 45 minutes. I have no idea what happened there. I was going to read Fogging Over, but then I remembered I totally did not understand it last time I read it, so I couldn't be bothered. I didn't understand it even more than I didn't understand Flying High.
I'm probably going to read Fogging Over tomorrow night, or maybe I'll get a book from the library and I'll read it later on... Not sure yet.
I'm probably going to read Fogging Over tomorrow night, or maybe I'll get a book from the library and I'll read it later on... Not sure yet.
July 22, 2025
The plot was okay, the author shows her age by using words my generation wouldn't have ever used as kids ("groovy"?), since this was published when my age was about the same as Mel's, it's not too much to expect some research into the actual words we said back then. I think kids stopped using "groovy" unironically 20 years before this book was published, lol.
Compared to some of the others in the series, this one was weak. It took me ages to finish despite its length, and I see why I didn't remember the plot from when I first read it 15ish years ago. I have yet to read one I remember being my favourite back then so I guess my quest to revisit my childhood books continues.
Compared to some of the others in the series, this one was weak. It took me ages to finish despite its length, and I see why I didn't remember the plot from when I first read it 15ish years ago. I have yet to read one I remember being my favourite back then so I guess my quest to revisit my childhood books continues.
June 7, 2013
I remember reading this when I was little and I loved it aw
February 22, 2017
I think it was my least favorite in the series. Well, we do learn more about Mel and Lily's relationship but the background story (the academy's mission) was not that interesting.
May 26, 2017
Loved this series as a teen!
Guessing the read date just to properly shelve this
Guessing the read date just to properly shelve this
March 13, 2015
I was given this book and thought I would give it a go, despite it being a children's book. I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed it and would actually read some more in the series.
June 5, 2016
Probably my favorite book of the series so far
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews