Ellie Sweet is a lot of things—good girl, novelist, silent adorer of the new boy at school, Palmer. But when “outcast” gets added to the list, she decides it’s time to take reality into her own hands … and tweak it as needed.
I almost never use the bookmark feature on my Kindle, but I couldn’t help but make a note of all the times Stephanie Morrill’s Ellie Sweet made me groan or grin. This one made me laugh out loud:
“I turn away and bury my burning face in my math book. Now would be a really good time for the rapture.” {And you’ll just have to read the book to discover what embarrassing moment takes place prior to that stupendous statement.}
That voice is one of the things I like best about this novel: Ellie Sweet can be as true to her last name as can be, but at other times she can be downright hilarious.
“‘Go away,’ I murmur, as if a headache can be sweet talked. ‘I have a book to get published.'”
The story of this teen writer drew me in immediately because I can relate; I was a teen writer. Ellie attends high school, hangs out with the popular crowd (well, sort of), and is hard at work revising her novel so she can submit it to a great big writer’s contest. (Which totally hit home for me and made me sympathize with Ellie all the more since I entered the Genesis this year.)
“I’ve noticed, since I started studying writing, that it’s hard to lose myself to reading.”
She’s a dedicated writer who is not only working on writing and preparing to take this big step of entering a contest, but she’s also reaching out for advice (she has a mentor) and studying the craft. Stephanie does a superb job of getting this across while not slowing the story down. There’s a lot more to this novel than Ellie working on a novel.
For instance, her best friend receives devastating news that foretells serious consequences for Ellie. There are two very different guys in the picture. And there’s the very big deal that Ellie has kinda sorta based the main cast of characters in her medieval (woot!) book on people she knows–which spells very bad news. I’m looking forward to the sequel!
There are a few mentions of a partying lifestyle, but Ellie, a Christian, does a good job of staying away from all that. To be honest, I winced when I realized she was considering a relationship with a guy who is not a Christian. Other than that, though, this is a clean novel with a lot of take-away value (without any essence of “preaching”).
I recommend The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet to all of my writer friends, teen or otherwise. Whether or not you started writing while still a teen, you can still relate to Ellie’s struggles to learn the craft, revise her story, and deal with rejection.
For those who are not writers but enjoy a solid YA novel, check out Ellie’s story. The underlying theme is a great one:
“‘You can’t control what people are going to say, and paying too much attention to it can cost you your dreams.'” – Ellie’s aunt
About the Author
Stephanie Morrill lives in Kansas with her husband and two kids. Her only talents are reading, writing, and drinking coffee, so career options were somewhat limited. Fortunately she discovered a passion for young adult novels and has been writing them ever since. Stephanie is the author of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series and The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet. She enjoys encouraging and teaching teen writers on her blog.
Find Stephanie on Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // GoodReads
Read my reviews of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series and Go Teen Writers by Stephanie Morill and Jill Williamson.
Disclosure: The author sent me this book to review–and she named a character after me! This post also contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
I love how you incorporated so many quotes in this review! I enjoyed Ellie’s voice too!
Thanks, Sofia! Quotes are a love language of mine ;)
I'm dying to read this book! I've watched a lot of movies about writers (they usually have writers block!) :P
This sounds like an awesome book! :) I have read a book about a writer… a journalist, that is. Close enough? Lol.
Love your review! :)<br />No, I don't think I ever have read a book about a writer.
I'm a sucker for good YA fiction. I love the description of this book!
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds like a great book.<br /><br />Katie J
Love your review. Those quotes definitely stood out. :D
Good review — Tessa, I thought of that movie too, but Ellie's novel wasn't a diary and Elli'es novel is set in medieval times.<br /><br />Loved Anne of Green Gables . . .
wooops. Forgot that there was a question. I have read books about authors before…most notably, David Copperfield… Little Women, Anne of Green Gables…and I wrote one myself. ;)
Ooooooh! Cannot wait! I love the premise and the quotes, and I've loved watching Stephanie's story grow as she posts about it on FB, Go Teen Writers, etc. :)
I haven't read a book about an author (that I can remember). But this one sounds really fun.
I liked the quotes you pointed out, Rachelle! Fun. This is a fabulous book. I loved it. :-)
Ahh!!! I so want to read this book….in a way it sorta remind me of Harriet the Spy…<br /><br />I've probably read a few books about writers… I have fun reading about writers haha! :D
Woo-hoo! Glad this one is great. I will now have to add it to my to-read list. That cover and the synopsis sound worth reading for sure. <br /><br />Thanks, Rachelle! :)
Great review! I can't wait to read this book! And yes I have read stories about writers before! I actually just finished one and started another!
This sounds like a fun summer read! I've read a few books about writers before, but I'm especially excited about this one. :)
Can't wait to read this book!
I've never read a story about a writer before. But I'd love to. lol
Can't wait to read this! It reminds me of the Disney Channel Original movie "Read It & Weep" which used to be one of my favorites when I was a pre-teen. Thanks for the giveaway! =)
I don't think I've ever read a book about a writer, but I can't wait to read Ellie Sweet's story, because not only is it a writing story, it's a *teen* writing story! :D
cool!!!! sounds like a neat book. It's so good to get book reviews liek this ;D
So glad you liked it too, Rachelle!! You put it really well. :) Great review!
Oh, to be immortalized in the written word! Must be really cool to be a character in a book! <br /><br />I agree about dating a party boy(s), but I have high hopes for the next book.<br /><br />Like your review!!<br /><br />Cynthia<br /><a href="http://christianteenbooksandreviews.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">who YA reading?</a><br /><br />