Shurie Geis
EDCI 4120
7-28-08

Hopkins, Cathy (2002). Truth or Dare: The Princess of Pop. New York: Simon Pulse

Grade Levels: 6-9

Category: Problem novel

Read-Alouds: pp. 11-17 (play audition), 53-69 (first audition), 115-126 (third round), 127-138 (fight with Mac), 169-182 (final competition), 184-191 (dad gets agent, Becca gets third place).

Summary: The main character, Becca, has always been a dreamer, but never sees her dreams through. She tries out for the school play, but doesn’t rehearse, so she doesn’t get the part she wanted, instead she gets a minute role, so she doesn’t show up for rehearsal. When a friend dares her and some other friends to go out for a Pop Princess competition, they all agree as it would be a lot of fun. Everyone is eliminated except Becca, Cat and Jade (who is not their friend at all, and makes it a miserable journey). Cat is eliminated soon after, and Becca has to be more determined than ever not to give up. After a few more rounds of the reality show, Becca is told that she is eliminated, but gets a call later that it was a mistake, so it’s off to the final round, where she places third.

Themes: As with the other novels in this series, this novel deals a ton with honesty and integrity. Becca has to prove that she is determined and can stick with one thing before she can move up in the competition. She also learns the value of friendship and family support.

Discussion Questions:
Is the author condoning this juvenile game of “truth or dare”? How can you tell?
What does Becca learn about friendship and family support?
How does Becca finally get through to the final round? How does this affect her final performance?

Reader Response: I think that this novel is a bit juvenile in its language, and almost a little too innocent. These stories are based in England though, so maybe they are true to teens there. Some of the issues dealt with I believe could be used in my classroom, and these stories are definitely easy to read. I connected with Becca and wanted her to succeed. However, having read other novels in this series, I am starting to connect more with the characters. I think that a sixth to ninth grader could connect very well with these characters, and relate to the problems that Becca is facing. As with the other novels, Becca is portrayed as a very responsible young woman, who is searching for the right thing to do. So, she is a worth while role model for young people.

Hopkins, C. (2002). The princess of pop. New York: Simon Pulse.

Grade Levels: 7-9
Category: Realistic Fiction
Read-Alouds: pp. 1-33 (Becca’s point of view, auditions, and show time); 45-69 (Auditions for Pop Prince and Pop Princess!) 166-191 (The final showdown in the competition and the decision is made).

Summary: Told from Becca’s point of view, this text follows the same group of teenagers in England and their journey through a music competition. Becca, Cat, Squidge, Mac, and Lia make some new friends on the way and discover what is truly important to them. Squidge and Mac dare the girls to enter the competition as a joke and Becca and Cat actually make it. The text follows their struggles and trying to get to the top, stay friends, and making sure they know what they really want in life.

Themes: The biggest theme in this particular text is trying to decide what you really want in life. Becca goes through an enormous transformation of fighting for what she truly wants and being happy with the end result. Another theme for this text is that of teen relationships. Becca and her boyfriend Mac seem to be always away from each other and are trying to sort out how to stay in a relationship with each other while still getting what they want. Teen relationships are always seen as little but if the teenagers are smart enough to know what is going on with the other person, I think they deserve to see it through. As before, another companion to this text would be Cathy Hopkins’ Mates dates series. The females in the class will really enjoy the humorous British slang if they like this text.

Discussion Questions:
What do you think of Becca and Elliott’s relationship?
What did you think of Becca’s parents’ relationship?
Were you pleased with the results of the Pop Prince and Pop Princess competition?

Reader Response: After reading White lies and barefaced truths, I was a little hesitant to read this second book in the series. However, I really enjoyed this text much better than the first. I think it was because it delved into another of the character’s personal life and opened their world for the reader to enjoy. Also the humorous aspect of this text adds to the excitement of reading this particular text. The author takes a spin on a well known TV show and allows the reader to have a laugh at their expense.