Middle Grade Review: There's No Place Like Home

Ever since Kenzie's mom died, she's been traveling with her Dad for his job. She's traveled all over the world and gets tons of perks. But sometimes she's lonely. Sometimes she wishes they could stay in one place for an extended period of time.

When her father tells her they'll be in Vegas for six weeks, she's excited to go to middle school and to be normal. She makes friends the first day and starts joining all the clubs to meet more people and to finally belong.

But no one knows that her time there has a n expiration date. She ends up auditioning for the school musical to combat a mean girl. Kenzie wins the lead role. She also allows herself to be talked into the running for student government- as Vice President.

Kenzie feels guilty she won't be there for opening night of the play or there during the rest of the school year. She knows she has to tell her best friend. But what's going to happen when the truth comes out?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the traveling parts - where Kenzie saw different things and enjoyed fun perks of frequent travelers. I think that would fun - for a small period of time. I understood why she wanted a normal life. I loved that she was so excited about school - most people hate middle school. It was a switch. I like that she joined all the clubs but I felt bad for her she got into too deep and the guilt started eating at her. I loved the friendship moments and how she tried to make things right. I loved the father/daughter relationship. I enjoyed how she had famous connections in different cities - especially her photography friend. I love learning more about photography too! I can't wait to read more of Dee's books.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable! I love the red shoes
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun middle grade read - perfect for friendship books.

Review: There's No Place Like Home

*****spoilers from the previous 5 books****

Kaitlin's just starting over in Hollywood with a new TV show - Small Fries. It has the potential to become HUGE. With Sky has her co-star again, things are looking better than ever.

Until her Mom starts overbooking her. With Broadway under her belt and another hit TV series, Kaitlin has her pick of movies her the show production's hiatus. She has the choice between working with Spielberg and Eastwood. Her mom wants her to choose both and she won't take no for an answer. Her mom also wants her promoting her TV show, leaving no time for dates with her boyfriend or time with her friends.

Kaitlin doesn't want to disappoint her mother, but neither does she want to burn out. After huge fights with her mother and her friends, Kaitlin realizes she needs to make some serious choices about her future.

My Thoughts: I'm so sad to say goodbye to Kaitlin and her Hollywood life. I love Kaitlyn because while she's the "IT Girl," she longs to be normal. She values loyalty, friendship, and honesty. The book is broken into three parts: the present, an alternate universe, and the present again. The alternate universe answers the questions Kaitlyn has been asking throughout the series - what would happen if she could live a normal life away from all the pressures. Would she be different? What would she do? A different approach to ending the series, but it really works as Kaitlin's been struggling with this issue ever since going incognito to high school during the first book. I do love how the series ended. It's an addicting fun series.

Cover Thoughts: I love it - it works so well with both the theme and with the covers of the previous titles in the series.

Source: My Library

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