Izzy's Popstar Plan - Review
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Publisher's Summary:
Marestaing, Alex (2011) Izzy’s Popstar Plan.
Thomas Nelson Publishing. ISBN 9781400316540. Author
recommended age: tweens. Litland.com recommends age 13+,
with parents discerning if appropriate for younger
readers.
Publisher Description: Izzy
Baxter has big plans-popstar plans. Ever since she was
six, she's dreamed of becoming the world's next singing
sensation. Now sixteen, her singing career is on the
rise, and she's been selected to compete on the hit TV
show International Popstar Challenge. As Izzy performs
in far off locations such as Tokyo and Paris, it seems
as if her plans are coming off without a hitch. But God
has plans of His own, and Izzy will soon discover that
living for Him is "way cooler" than megastar fame.
Respect for self and others: This
includes integrity (adherence to a code of
conduct or value system), honesty vs. manipulation or
lying, compassion, caring for others (characters not
focused on getting their way no matter what) self
respect--main character does not let others
denigrate him or her; use of self control and
self-discipline ; taking charge of own behaviour;
fairness to others (such as taking turns and
avoiding the blame game). Reader should ask themselves
“How does the protagonist depict their peers?” “Would
you want others to treat you this way? Should everyone
act this way?” This includes true friendships
that do not involve regular lying, deceit or
manipulation; considering consequences of actions
prior to acting; owning up to responsibility once
an action has been taken.
Integrity is a strong theme throughout this story. Izzy
instinctively feels her wrong choices, and knows why
they are wrong. She is sometimes talked into walking the
fine line between right and wrong. Through prayer and
reason she can admit to herself that her rational is
really excuses. She accepts the consequences of her
actions. Lack of tolerance for her Faith puts her
integrity into question, which she realizes “I can’t
just go around saying I’m a Christian and not do
anything about it.” The integrity of her behaviours
influences those around her. This theme is supported by
her Dad and Pastor who reinforce virtuous decision
making and remind her to discern before choosing or
acting.
Another ongoing thread is friendship. What is real
friendship? And how does one be a true friend? She asks
herself what would her friend do, and chooses to pay
good acts forward out of friendship. She also must learn
to forgive those who have wronged her.
All
of this represents self-discipline and control, honesty
and caring for others. It is an outcome of discernment.
Portrayal of Authority
figures: The positive portrayal of parents, teachers, police officers and other “good” authority figures common in a child’s life is a positive influence upon the child’s own moral development. This includes
actively-parenting mother and father figures. Minimization of parental involvement in the character’s activities or the portrayal of authority figures as
inferior present poor role models. Also to be avoided are main characters that
deceive parents and teachers to accomplish goals, and overuse
sarcasm towards authority figures. Ask yourself “Are parents seen as positive or negative influence in the character's life?”
What we know of other characters is through Izzy’s
self-talk. “She” portrays an in-charge dad who makes
decisions for the family while still sensitive to his
kids’ needs; one who has set boundaries for the family
through rules, and earned sufficient respect that the
kids obey him. Separately, Pastor Ryan’s role is
spiritual director, providing Izzy with advice but not
undermining her father’s role or authority. Several
characters are adults who run the Popstar show. These
too are portrayed as competent, which makes it difficult
for Izzy to make decisions as these adults are typically
luring her into a self-centered mindset or poor
decision.
Citizenship and
Patriotism: Loyalty to family, team or group, school, community and world; caring for and being considerate of these
groups. Pride to be part of that group or nationality.
Izzy’s loyalty to her family and friends is superb, yet
the story shows realistically how difficult it is to be
loyal. After initially dumping her hospital gig with her
friend, she changes her mind and sticks with it. Many
times she chooses to stand by her friends rather than
act in a selfish way. Throughout the show she is glad to
have her family around and misses them desperately when
they are gone. .
Justice and Balance: A just distribution between good and evil (with
good outweighing evil in the presence of the storyline);
demonstration of right and wrong; making decisions to enact the above values rather than simply choosing from two bad possibilities; Ask yourself “Is the emphasis on the positive elements or negative?”
Much of the story’s intrigue comes
from the cloudy appearance of good and evil in its
characters. We first see the stereotypes of good and
evil: the overtly “faithful” church followers, the
crowds of people wanting healing, contrasted with
a skeptical protagonist. As the existence of the cult
within the church fills in, it becomes more difficult to
determine who may be part of this evil threat outside of
church services. What is of God, and not of God,
becomes a muddy picture.
While bad people surround Izzy attempting to lure
her into bad decisions, interviewers asking
bad questions that could trick her into bad
answers with consequences, and the celebrity, paparazzi
and all that comes with it are overwhelming, it is
countered with good from family, true friends,
and some conversion of those around her due to the
example she sets for them. Thus, while the reader feels
they are in the “thick” of the situation, it is never
hopeless. The entire experience is Izzy discerning right
from wrong in each entry.
.
Aesthetic aspects Of
life ExperienceLook for a storyline portrayal of
beauty, health, and selfless love vs. hedonistic behaviours (sexuality, selfishness, obsessiveness, materialism),
profanity, gore and violence. Are nature and environment respected or exploited? Look for
dark elements; watch out for humor that is negative, denigrates others excessively, uses metaphors to
denigrate the sacred.
Early in the story we get the sense of Izzy finding her
own space for thinking, prayer and study. As a blog
rather than a novel, the description of the numerous
settings around the world is brief. However, Izzy’s
thoughts focus on the beauty of the soul, which is well
written. Faith is treated respectfully.
Other things to
Consider:Other aspects of this book of interest or importance. For example, does it portray Wiccan practices and accurate use of tools of which some parents might object, does it contain
hidden meanings in metaphors that may prove offensive to some families; does it address
personal issues such as puberty or pregnancy.
Izzy
faces teen choices: whether to ditch friends and
commitments for her own fun or to better win the
competition; sneaking out of hotel room in a foreign
country (France), lying to father, dating and kissing
which breaks her father’s rules (see videoblog at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E2E3y7h9Vn8
; allowing show producers to make her into a celebrity
or to just be herself (both appearance and values).
Typically these issues are addressed with teens and not
younger readers, so parents are advised to use their
family Do-Re-Mi’s in selecting literature.
If this book is anything, it is a lesson to teens in
discernment. Great for father-daughter sharing, family
reading nights, youth ministry and book clubs. Keep a
copy handy and pass it on to a girl you sense is
struggling. More info and videos are available at online
http://www.izzyspopstarplan.com/ . An excellent
choice for today’s teen!
So what do YOU think? Read our thoughts on the book and join in the discussion:
Litland's Blog
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