Jessica Brody | The Children’s Book Review | March 2, 2017
The Children’s Book Review: What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Well, when I was 12, it was my mother. She was always nagging me because I was pretty much always late. But now that I’m magically 16 (long story, magic jewelry box, wish granted, etc.), it’s my dog (I FINALLY HAVE A DOG!) who gets me out of bed. Her name is Buttercup and she wakes me up by jumping on my bed and wiggling in my face. She pretty much holds the Olympic gold medal in wiggling.
I see you have a bag with you. Will you tell us what you keep inside of it?
My 12-year-old bag is blah and boring. Let’s talk about my 16-year-old bag! It’s WAY cooler because now I can finally wear make-up (Mom wouldn’t let me at age 12) so inside my bag you’ll find just one of my many awesome eye shadow palettes. Oh and my brand new cell phone (also something I wasn’t allowed to have in middle school). And of course my…ahem!…driver’s license, because did I mention, I’m 16 now and can totally drive!!! Well, sort of. I mean as a 16-year-old, I’m legally able to drive, but my mind is still 12 so…yeah, I’m working on that…
Are you hungry right now? Can we fix you anything to eat? Maybe we could make you your favorite dish?
I’ll pretty much eat anything. Well, except those disgusting green smoothies my mom makes for breakfast every morning. Oh, and those weird Peanut Butter and Cucumber sandwiches that Mrs. Toodles, our crazy neighbor, likes to eat. She’s a little off her rocker. But hey, she gave me the magic jewelry box which granted my wish to be 16, so I can’t really complain.
Do you like to read?
Yes! In my high school English class, we’re reading a short story called Rip Van Winkle about a guy who falls asleep for like twenty years and then wakes up to find everyone in his life is way older and different. I can definitely relate. I woke up to find my entire life fast forwarded four years and everyone is so different!
Do you have a favorite song?
Anything by Summer Crush! They’re my favorite boy band of ALL TIME!
Are you a rule follower or rule breaker?
I’m a rule skipper. I mean I realize rules are made for a reason, but some rules are just time wasters. Any time I can find a shortcut, I take it.
When was the last time you felt embarrassed?
Probably when I woke up in my 16-year-old body and then this really cute guy named Cute Connor (that’s not his real name, that’s just what I call him) asked me to dance at the school dance. I really didn’t know what I was doing. My new BFF Clementine tried to give me some pointers on how to flirt but I did it all wrong. Connor looked horrified. It was super embarrassing.
If you weren’t answering the questions in this interview right now, what would you be doing?
Probably admiring my new awesome closet. It has the BEST clothes in it. And now that I’m 16 and FINALLY have some curves, I can actually fit into cute teen clothes. As opposed to those babyish clothes my mom used to pick out for me in the kids department.
Do you have any secrets you would like to share with us before you go?
Well, there is this one secret…except I don’t really know what it is. So it’s kind of a secret to me too. You see, when I woke up in this 16-year-old body, everything seemed really perfect, except for one thing. I just found out my old best friend, Grace, and I haven’t spoken since middle school. And I have no idea why! I’m trying to figure it out, but since I can’t remember the last four years, it’s really difficult. I wish I knew what happened between us so that I can try to fix it. I really miss her… 🙁
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Written by Jessica Brody
Publisher’s Synopsis: A middle school girl finds out that being a teenager isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in this realistic read about friendship with plenty of LOL moments–and a magical twist!
Seventh grader Addie Bell can’t wait to grow up. Her parents won’t let her have her own phone, she doesn’t have any curves, and her best friend, Grace, isn’t at all interested in makeup or boys. Then, on the night of her twelfth birthday, Addie makes a wish on a magic jewelry box to be sixteen . . . and wakes up to find her entire life has been fast-forwarded four years! Suddenly she has everything she’s always wanted (including a driver’s license and a closet full of cool clothes)! But Addie soon discovers a lot more has changed than she expected—including her friendship with Grace. Can Addie turn back time and take back her wish . . . or has she lost the chance to experience what could have been the best years of her life?
Ages 10+ | Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0399555107
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About Jessica Brody
JESSICA BRODY is the author of several books for teens and tweens, including The Karma Club, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, and the Unremembered trilogy. She also writes books for the Descendants: School of Secrets series, based on the hit Disney Channel original movie, Descendants. She splits her time between California and Colorado, where she lives with her husband and four dogs. When she was twelve, she was convinced her life would be perfect if she was sixteen. Visit Jessica at JessicaBrody.com.
This interview with Addie Bell, the main character in Jessica Brody’s Addie Bell’s Shortcut to Growing Up, was conducted between Jessica Brody and Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Growing Up, Jessica Brody, and Middle Grade Books.