Friday 24 August 2007

Lucky Star - Cathy Cassidy


I don't know what to think about Cathy Cassidy's books. A part of me thinks they try too much to be kids-friendly. They are filled with cute drawings, trendy music and clothes. Plus the author introduces every book herself and she sounds like a teenager, using words like fab and fave. I don't know if I like this attitude. But again, her books are not written for me, but for someone more than ten years younger. Darla's post on her blog Books and other thoughts made me rethink about this a lot. I know Cathy Cassidy is popular and most of the kids who read her will find her cool and friendly.
So, the other part of me really enjoyed Cassidy's latest novel. The only other book I've read by her is "Driftwood". I liked it, and I was actually surprised by that. I still had that feeling that she pushed the niceness too far, but overall, I would recommend it to 10 to 13-14 year-old kids.
Lucky Star was way better though. It helped that it featured the cutest literary stray ever: a little white dog with a pirate patch and a bandana, called lucky. That's what made me go on reading.
Also, for a change the main character was a boy, Mouse, who at 14 already has a troubled past which he would like to forget. His graffiti art helps him to escape the grey reality of his school and of the rough estate flat where he lives with his ex-junkie mother. His life is destined to change the day he meets confident, posh and pretty Cat. This is the lovely, romantic story of their friendship, of their picnics on bus-stop rooftops, of star maps and fireworks. But it's also a story about painful memories and lies, about injustices, and about the importance of fighting back against them.
I liked the characters and their unlikely relationship, I liked how the story was very real but also full of hope and positive thinking. And I just adored Lucky the pirate dog:)
Read it if you want a quick, cute and easy read. Or if you have kids (not just girls) give it to them, I'm sure they'll like it.

14 comments:

Stephanie said...

I haven't read any of Cassidy's books. But I do like YA books, so maybe I'll give this one a try!

Anonymous said...

I've read "Dizzy", "Scarlett", and "Indigo Blue", and i absolutley fell in love with them, esp. the 1st two. Cassidy writes her characters so that they step off the page and pull you into their world. Her situations are real-life, sometimes sorrowful, but at the same time heartwarming.

Anonymous said...

I,for one, absolutely love Cathy's books!I don't believe in someone "too mean" as I do too mean and judgemental!!!

valentina said...

hi, thanks for stopping by, but I really don't know what you mean!

Anonymous said...

Her best book is sundae girl

valentina said...

oh is it? thanks, I might read it one day.

Anonymous said...

i really liked this book.
i think there was a lot more interesting things to keep me reading it other than....the dog.

oh wellio

just a thirteen year olds oppinion.

valentina said...

of course there was, as you can read it in my review...but the dog did the trick for me at the beginning.

Anonymous said...

I have read three of Cathy Cassidy's books: Dizzy, Scarlett, and Indigo Blue. I loved her books and i can't wait to read her other three: Driftwood, Lucky star, and Sundae girl... especialy since i just found out.:)

Anonymous said...

i dont like cathy cassidy books much either but i really really liked this one...

Anonymous said...

You cannot judge these books unless you are 12-15 otherwise you give the wrong ideas. I am 13, have read her books and LOVE THEM!!!!! I am going to recommend them to ALL my friends.
Her characters are so real and descriptive you almost feel as if you are standing there with them! Anyone who disses Cathy is dissing me personally!

valentina said...

In didn't say I don't like them, I'm sorry if people got that idea from this review. I've actually been recommending her books to girls 11-13 (no use recommending it to boys I'm afraid) because I know she's always I hit with them, and this one was particularly nice.
It's just that I can't bring myself to love them so much as I do with other children's books.

Angelfayce* said...

I have also done a book review on this same book! Okay so if you wanna see that then please go to my site,
angelfayceblogging.blogspot.com
FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE!!

Rosemary said...

My friend recommended Cathy Cassidy books, i love Lucky Star, have they made it into a movie. I hope they have :)