What Matters Most

What Matters Most by Melody Carlson is written in diary form by the main character Maya. The diary format had me kind of worried because I remember what my diary was like when I was a teen-ager. But Maya is very detailed - to the point she writes out conversations word for word.

This is the third in a series that is also the four set in a series. Each set focuses on a different girl. Maya is in the process of becoming emancipated. Her father is a musician who travels a lot and her mother is in prison. She's living with her uncle but they don't have a close sit down to dinner type relationship.

We follow Maya as she makes her way through high school. Her first decision is if she should graduate a year early. She has a boyfriend/boy friend issue (should they date or just be friends), issues with the popular girls (I didn't graduate that long ago that I don't remember that!), adventures with a Christian rock band and all your other typical teen-age issues.

Not having read any of the other books in this series I was a bit worried if I would be able to follow this. It would probably help to read some of the other but this book can be read as a stand alone.

Maya shows us a strong girl who doesn't go along with the crowd and is willing to step out for what she believes in. Each chapter ends with a "green" tip. Something I think is good for our teen-agers.

From the publisher:

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

To read more about this book and for purchase information please go to:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421197

Jody

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah.