Changing Faces: Real TV, Take 1

From the opening conversation between Olivia and her best friend Jane, we are plunged into the fast paced life-style of high school seniors. Changing Faces, by Wendy Lawton, captures the myriad of activities, choices, relationships, and decisions that form their daily reality. Whimsical fun with their love of a favorite reality television show bumps up against painful and emotional life experiences with friends. Olivia lives glued to her day planner and is out of her depth within moments. But she keeps trying to find a balance where she can fulfill her calendar commitments and live by her faith. The real world isn't waiting for graduation, and she struggles with issues that challenge all ages in our frenetic world. Enjoy the ride as Olivia comes to an understanding of what priorities really matter.

Changing Faces is timely, fun, and exactly right. In this first book of the series Wendy Lawton does a fantastic (imagine Jane's faux British accent saying this) job of creating characters that are multi demensional. Only the mother of a senior girl could have written a book that paints such a perfect picture of the pressures of senior year. The excitement of Olivia being on the show was wonderfully written. But it was even more fun to see how her character had grown to the point of being able to share the experience with others. I loved every minute of this book and plan on getting a copy for each of my nieces and donating a copy to our church your group. All that is missing is a discussion guide for the book for small group study. Highly recommended.

High school senior Olivia O'Donnell is a typical overachiever stressed and stretched to the limits. However, learning she must volunteer at a local homeless shelter to improve her chances of becoming valedictorian doesn't excite her. With flaws and foibles, Olivia stumbles her way through the volunteer work learning to look at others in a less judgmental manner. She also learns what's really important to her. Wendy Lawton captures the heart, soul and voice of teenagers in her new book Changing Faces creating credible characters and establishing a realistic plot. This is a book most teens (and adults) won't be able to put down!

I fell in love with the characters and they honestly could have been the girls I know at church. The story was intriguing and I was truly surprised by the ending. It was much better than anything I had conjured up. Great read for teens and moms of teens.

High school senior Olivia is "scheduled to the max" in her quest to become Valedictorian. Between school work, church activities, and volunteer time, Olivia's personal relationships are neglected. A make-over on TV's "Changing Faces," new friendships, and a change in a long-term friendship help Olivia re-examine her priorities, especially her relationship with God. Wendy Lawton captures the pressure to "build resumes" that many of today's teens feel and laces her story with friendships that we all long for and cute guys with "crinkly smiles" that make hearts flutter. A must-read for every girl with a well-used day planner!