
Operation Josh Taylor: Hannah Smart (Hannah Smart (1))
To see teen idol Josh Taylor in concert, Hannah Smart is prepared to face bullies, learn terrible secrets, and discover hidden talents. When thirteen-year-old Hannah Smart finds out that teen idol Josh Taylor (only the most talented singer in the entire world) is coming to her hometown to kick off his first-ever concert tour, she nearly goes into shock. Even more shocking is the fact that her parents one-hundred-percent refuse to buy her a ticket - if Hannah wants to go, she has to figure out a way on her own. With the help of her genius best friend, Rachel, Hannah hatches a scheme that will surely get the girls to the concert. But when evil Scarlett Hastings sticks her nasty nose in, messing up their plan, all hope seems lost. Will Hannah and Rachel ever get to the concert? And will Hannah even want to go when she discovers the horrible secret her parents have been hiding?. Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don't always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart. - Booklist. The story is able to provide life-lessons about friendship, resourcefulness and responsibility. - Canadian Materials magazine. This sweet story about friendship and growing up never lapses into heavy-handed moralizing. An engaging, fun read, sure to please many teens. - Canadian Children's Book News. Teachers and librarians could also use Operation Josh Taylor to introduce readers to other books about strong girls and loyal friendships such as Rebecca Steads' When You Reach me, Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks novels, or any number of novels by Judy Blume, Karen Cushman, Paula Danzinger, Kate DiCamillo, Lois Lowry, or Katherine Paterson. - Resource Links. A delightful plot-driven tale of perseverance that explores themes of bullying, friendship, persistence, and creative problem solving. - Quill & Quire. Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don't always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart. - Booklist. Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don't always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart. - Booklist.com. 2015-07-27. When 13-year-old Hannah Smart's parents refuse to buy her concert tickets to see her pinup idol, superstar singer Josh Taylor, she and her genius best friend, Rachel Carter, must come up with a way to earn the money themselves. This story, the first of a trilogy about Hannah, has a strong comic premise, but it's not as developed as it might be. The road to riches and concert tickets is bumpier than the girls imagine, though many of their obstacles have an arbitrary or manufactured feel. Initially, their goal is hampered by a lack of business opportunities, and later they are thwarted at every turn by a mean-girl classmate, who, for reasons that never become completely clear, lives to throw hurdles in Hannah's way. Hannah, who narrates the story, has a big, brash personality that leans toward self-centeredness, though the love she feels for Rachel shines through. The girls, who turn out to have an entrepreneurial flair, do manage to bat away the majority of their obstacles, though the story abruptly changes course when Hannah finds out she must move to Maine with her family. Hampered by generic characterizations, this amusingly voiced but not-quite-funny comedy of errors is enjoyable but fails to dazzle. (Fiction. 8-12) - Kirkus Reviews. In her bright and breezy middle-grade novel, Melody Fitzpatrick captures all the drama and angst of middle school life as Hannah catapults through the full spectrum of emotions - Canadian Children's Book News