Shrinking Violet

Great read for shy people

Written in 1st person narrative, Teresa is so painfully shy that she practically goes mute whenever anyone speaks to her. Having to make an oral presentation for her English class is akin to a nightmare for her. However, her team mates are a terrific support system much to Tere surprise. The combination of their personality really gives balance to their group and allows Tere to develop. Tere's choice to use Helen Keller's Biography starts off as a way to avoid speaking but she really learns to appreciate the little things in life and takes the courage depicted by Helen Keller to face her own problems.

I think that in some ways we can all identify with Tere, I know I still get nervous meeting new people and it takes me awhile to feel comfortable with people.

Gavin is the perfect boy for Tere, not only does he share her passion and taste in music but he is comfortable with who he is. He doesn't pressure her to talk and the silence is never strained.

I loved the music references and the inside view of a radio station. You can really tell that Danielle Joseph was a DJ with the amount of detail given about how a radio show works.

I didn't like Tere's mother at all, she came across as a bit of a trampy gold-digger who prides beauty and slimness above all other qualities. She does progress within the narrative and attempts to repair some of the damage she caused to Tere's psyche but I did feel as if it was too little too late. Her stepfather, Rob, is a big influence in repairing the rift between Tere and her mother, he is also the one that gives Tere the gentle support she needs to achieve her goals, always in the background but a very reassuring presence. It doesn't hurt that he owns a radio station either and thats how Tere gets her break.

I really enjoyed the story, it was terrific to see the way in which Tere faced and conquered her own personal demons (so to speak), a bit of romance, friendship and a bully thrown into the mix makes for compelling reading :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fabulous book!

Teresa (Tere) Adams is a shy girl who loves music. She dreams about becoming a real DJ someday, instead of listening to her Ipod in solitary, and imagening she is the DJ on a station.Her stepfather owns the best music station in Miami; The SLAM. Then one day, there is an empty spot in a DJ chair at SLAM, and Tere gets the chance (thanks to her stepfather) to do what she really wants and is talented in. She is a real DJ now, and with that, her shyness melts away! Under the name Sweet T, and she has an audience under her high school peers.Who are all wondering who Sweet T is, not knowing that this is Tere. Gavin, a guy in her school she feels safe with, is also a big fan of Slam, but he also doesn't know that Sweet T is Tere.
There is a contest running up at SLAM, and the winner (who has to write a song)gets a prom date with Sweet T. But who is the guy who wrote the winning song, and has she overwon her shyness to the fullest to go?
Debut author Danielle Joseph has created a hit novel with Shrinking Violet. It is about a topic I haven't read many books about; being shy. Besides that, the story is build up around music. Another great topic for a book. The story is very realistic, and Tere is a fantastic main character wich you will love immediately.
Shrinking Violet is Danielle Joseph's first novel, but it will certainly not be her last, with a lot of fans like Tere has in the story!Fabulous book, can truly reccommend it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Finding Yourself

I can totally relate to Tere, I am shy, I worry about my weight, and my mother can sometimes be a lot like a princess. I hate talking to people I don't know for a certain amount of time especially when I start feeling sick or I can't look the person in the eyes. >>

I've only read some of the book but I like it anyway and I will definitely buy it soon! This book might even help other girls who feel like this to come out of their shells. I myself am half-way there! XD

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Sweet Triumph for Shy Girls!

Teresa Adams lives in constant fear of being asked to speak out loud in class. Her interactions with others are difficult and often painful. In fact, Tere is so shy that most teachers have given up on calling on her altogether. Tere prefers to hide out in her bedroom, pretending to be a DJ for Miami's hottest radio station, the SLAM 92.7. Through a stroke of luck, Tere gets her chance to DJ and blossoms under the guise of her alter ego - Sweet T. Meanwhile, she is forced to participate in a group oral presentation project with new crush Gavin, who just happens to love Sweet T and her radio show. How long can Tere keep her radio persona a secret from Gavin and everyone else? And could Sweet T actually help her overcome the shyness in her life and land her the guy of her dreams?

Shrinking Violet is a beautifully written and memorable debut novel that is both humorous and extremely touching. It's a story about a girl who struggles with a commonly misunderstood problem - debilitating shyness. While most people are probably not as shy as Tere, we've all had instances where we feel self-conscious or lack confidence in our opinions. As someone who has struggled with shyness all my life, I was really able to connect with Tere and feel all her insecurities and doubts as if they were my own. I loved the way she lived out her dream, despite the sheer terror of taking those first courageous leaps. Gavin, the cute boy she crushes on was my other favorite character. He appreciated her for who she truly was - both her shy self AND the spunky girl deep down inside. I also loved the personalities inhabiting the radio station. Their characters were quirky and a lot of fun, especially the chest hair baring, aging DJ Derek and Pop Tart, the front desk receptionist with the heart of gold.

I thought radio was the perfect venue to transport Tere out of her crippling shyness. Being a DJ means not having to worry about body image and self confidence issues. It's all about the music and the voice. It wasn't an overnight transformation or one that happened without the support of some great people in her life too. This aspect helped make the story much more realistic for me. And really, what better way for Tere to come out of her shell than to talk about something she was already truly passionate about- her love of great music!

Shrinking Violet is about a girl who chases down a dream despite all the obstacles in her way and comes out a triumphant winner on the other side. Shy girls will be cheering for Tere everywhere. I'd recommend this book for anyone who loves music and is looking for a fun, romantic read with a positive underlying message!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Teresa Adams, aka Tere, is painfully shy. Just the thought of speaking to people feels like a glob of peanut butter is stuck in her throat.

The only time she is totally comfortable is in the privacy of her own room, her iPod pumping in her ears, and doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station - SLAM - which also just happens to be owned by her stepfather.

Tere surprises herself when a slot opens up at the station and she tells Rob, her stepfather, that she could help out. Suddenly, she is the new intern. Her confident on-air persona is Sweet T. Everyone loves her. Even Gavin, her crush that she can actually talk to, raves about how great the show is.

To get more listeners, the station decides to hold a contest to win a date to the prom with Sweet T. Tere is less than thrilled. But maybe she will meet her knight in shining armor, and in the process, find her voice.

This story was really cute. At first it was kind of hard to get into, but after a while, I couldn't put it down! It was fun for me to read, because I'm a shy person, and I could really relate to Tere. I enjoyed all the made up band names - they were cool! And one of them was Shrinking Violet. I was confused by the title for the longest time, but once I came upon the band name, I understood, and there is a cute meaning behind it.

I really enjoyed this book, and when it comes out, you should pick it up. Danielle Joseph has written a great debut novel!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hi

I watched the DISNEY CHANNEL¿ movie RADIO REBEL¿ based on the book. LOVED IT!!! Im hoping to read the book .••••••••••

Hello

My name is monkey man!! I wrote the last two i am amazing go monkey man! Plz tell me u ur my friend if u do not i will send my monkey frinds ater u

Hds

This book is based by the movie radio rebel

Radio rebel

Watch the movie

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

omg

did you know disneys radio rebel is supposed to bebased onthis book

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Worth a read

This was a good book over all. The first 50ish pages were kind of slow but, it was a cute story.

Three Stars

Ok ive definetely read better, anyone could have guessed what happened in the end... i feel tere did not change enough throughout the book and the last scence at the prom was completely expected. there was no nailbiter scene anywhere in the book. so it was a well written book but just not enough!

A book that any one who's a little shy should read.

Tere is a character I can relate to. I'm a little shy myself. Tere Adams is a girl that doesn't like talking to anyone except for some people she knows. She isn't so shy when she's secretly pretending to be a DJ. Finally she decides to become one for real when an opportunity arises for a new DJ at the radio station her step dad works at. She goes by the name Sweet T and is a hit among listeners. As she's hiding the fact that she's Sweet T, Tere slowly starts talking more and more, getting out of her shyness.

Shrinking Violet!!!

Teresa Adams is painfully shy. Her shyness is almost a sickness. Most people assume that there is something wrong with her because she can speak yet she won't. The only time she can really open up is when she is alone in her bedroom doing fake broadcasts along with the radio.

Tere knows that she is a disappointment to her mom and an embarrassment to be seen in public with. She knows that her mom always wanted a daughter that was pretty and popular and she knows that that will never be her. She and her mom never get along but at least now Tere has her new stepfather, Rob, to help out when things start to get bad.

Rob is the only man that seems to be able to actually hold her mom's interest and treat Tere as an actual daughter. When one of his DJ's quits Tere asks if she could possibly fill in for him until the station can find someone new. Rob agrees and Tere starts working in the station as an intern and as Sweet T, her radio name.

At first, she doesn't think she can do it but as the days progress she really starts to get into the whole job of being a DJ. As long as nobody knows that it is her she is completely comfortable. Everything seems to be going great until the station decides that they should hold a contest with a date with Sweet T as the prize.

Tere knows that there is no way out but will she be able to come out of her shell enough to do this? Or will she back out at the last minute? And who could her mystery date possibly be?

Shrinking Violet is a wonderful debut novel by Danielle Joseph. The author manages to get right into the teenage mind, full of insecurities and doubts. I loved the character of Tere and felt like I could really relate to what she was going through. I would definitely recommend this book for any teenage girl who has ever lost confidence in herself for any reason.

Original review from http://katiesbookblog-katie.blogspot.com

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