Sweetheart of Prosper County

Austin Grey has everything going against her socially. She has not yet begun to fill out her figure like other 15 year olds at school. She doesn't fit into any group and is often prone to speaking her mind. She is dead center in Dean Ottmer's bully scope and spends her days staying out of his way. Factor in her father; make that her late father who died under yet to be understood circumstances and a momma that runs the local hardware store. What Austin longs for is to be a queen and to ride on a float or car in the Christmas parade. She decides to set her sights on the FFA Sweetheart; it seems the easiest queen title and asks her mom for a chicken for Christmas. Thus begins Austin's journey to queendom, and the discovery of who she really can become. Jill S Alexander has somehow channeled the inner workings of a teenage girl's mind and uses them to drive The Sweetheart of Prosper County. These characters are well formed and the story is fresh and full of twists. Many teenage characters can be annoying and grating, but Austin is a delight.

Austin Gray is a fourteen-year-old girl growing up in rural Texas with her mother, a great best friend, Maribel, and a problem. Austin's problem is a boy named Dean Ottmer, the local bully who has his sights set on Austin. In response, the girl decides the best way to deal with her tormentor is to join FFA (Future Farmers of America) where she'll attend meetings, learn about farming and most importantly, raise some type of livestock animal. Austin decides to raise a chicken and knows that should her pet win a blue ribbon at the local county fair, she stands a good chance of winning next year's FFA Sweetheart contest. Winning the Sweetheart title would allow Austin to ride on the hood of a pick-up in the Christmas parade. Surely, she reasons, Dean will no longer bully her if she wins. With the help of Lafitte Boudreaux, a Louisiana-born Creole (and very interesting character to boot), Austin gets her chicken and sets about learning about the animal. Dubbed Charles Dickens because of his preference for sitting on a stack of the famed author's books, the rooster works his way into Austin's heart, as well as endearing himself to just about everybody else in the small town. The story follows Austin as she deals with Charles Dickens, the FFA, her new group of friends, her old friends, the town bully, and most importantly, something both she and her mother have never come to terms with, the death of Austin's father. The Sweetheart of Prosper County is a charming story that handles many of the problems teens face today in a realistic, yet wholesome way. Austin is respectful of her mother, although she does test her freedom from time to time. The two share a closeness that is not often found in teen novels and it is certainly refreshing. The author does a nice job of developing her characters, from the very vocal and opinionated Charles Dickens, to the town-austrizied (okay, brain fart - correct spelling???) Lafitte Boudreaux, and the charming Lewis Fortenberry, the worst Elvis impersonator or as he constantly insists, Elvis "performance artist." This story could be classified as Christian "lite" literature because there are several references to God, church, praying, etc. The author doesn't preach; she simply injects God into the character's lives. It is non-intrusive and simply helps brings the characters to life. Quill says: A charming story about dealing with life's ups and downs while growing up in a small town.

Another wonderful teen fiction book. I just love the honesty & truth imbedded all the way through. My teens thoroughly enjoyed it.

As a tomboyish country girl, former FFA and 4-H member, "The Sweetheart of Prosper County" struck a chord with me. The main character, Austin, is 14-15 years old and is dealing with those difficult teen years as best she can. Consider the fact her mother has never gotten over the accidental death of her husband. Growing up becomes even harder. Believe me, I know. That's what makes this book great. It's based on realistic life and the speed bumps that go with it. This book has no ooshy-gooshy love scenes and no swearing. It does have a nasty bully, families with more money than values, and developing friendships that weather the hard times along with the good ones. Adorable? I LOVED the rooster! There are some great LOL moments. Who would love this book? Victims of bullying, FFA members, small town girls that value hard work, honesty and staying true to yourself. And if you remotely like chickens... you will totally enjoy her guard yardbird.

This has got to be one of the darn cutest, wholesome books I've read in awhile. I'm not sure if I've read anything like it! It just worked for me! I really don't have any complaints! It really has all that you could ask for, family, friends, a stupid bully, a touch of romance, eccentric town folks, and a rooster named Charles Dickens! I wish I could have visited this town! I loved Austin Gray, she loves her momma, misses her daddy and just wants to get through high school without being picked on by bully Dean. She sees all the sweethearts in the parade pay him no mind and she decides that's the way she can finally stick it to Dean. To do so she'll need to join FFA (the Future Farmers of America) and also care for an animal for the purpose of showing him. The animal she picks is a rooster and oh boy does he come to life on the page! I loved Charles Dickens the rooster! Before Austin decides to go out of FFA she had a friend named Maribel who is very confident in herself and never lets anyone's taunts get her done. While Austin makes some new friends in FFA she never abandons her friendship with Maribel and I just love that. It shows that while maybe your interests change and evolve a bit doesn't mean you have to leave your old friends behind for new ones. The friends she make in FFA are very kind to Austin and show her the ropes a bit and also help her out a bit with Dean! Sundi the past sweetheart is especially memorable. Another memorable character is a boy that's an Elvis Performance Artist, as he puts it. He adds a great bit of humor and also classic manners to the story. Another character I really liked was Mr. Boudreaux who watches out for Austin and her momma. This story had a great cast of characters. Overall a great book with a lot of heartwarming moments and also some good fun!