Hot Girl [Paperback]

Dream Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 9 and up

It’s summertime in Bed-Stuy “Do or Die” Brooklyn, and Kate is feeling down in the dumps. Not only is she tired of her raggedy, tomboy image, but she’s also missing her best friend, Felicia, who’s away for the summer. Lonely and not exactly getting along with her new foster mother, Lynn, Kate so badly wants to be out and about, twirling pretty, and partying---and maybe catching the attention of her longtime crush, Charles.

Opportunity knocks one hot summer day when fly-girl Naleejah struts her stuff straight up to Kate and takes a seat. Full of smiles, Naleejah tells Kate that she remembers her from school, but Kate can’t remember ever having such a fabulous chick trying to befriend her. Kate’s suspicion turns to trust once Naleejah gives her a much-needed makeover.

Now a brand-new Kate suddenly has the attention of her dream boy. But is Naleejah checking for him, too? Against Kate’s better judgment, she ignores the warning signs, and continues to let Naleejah lead her down a treacherous path. Soon, what seems like a fun and exciting summer ends up being a harsh reality check. Now Kate must decide how to get back on the right track . . . or is it already too late?

Editorial Reviews

Review

- 2010 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

- Tayshas 2010 High School Reading List

- 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

- Stuff for the Teen Age 2009 - The New York Public Library’s list

"Teen readers will relate to the smart, strong-willed protagonist, Kate….Jordan’s thoughtfully rendered characterizations and explanations for Kate’s behavior are refreshingly authentic. This novel has the makings of a YA classic, and every YA collection should have a copy. Readers will hope for a sequel." -- Vanessa J. Irvin Morris, Drexel University, Philadelphia for Library Journal

"Dream Jordan's Hot Girl is a fantastic first novel…the content reflects the struggles and choices facing a young girl wanting to belong with her peers and also within a family. My students have showered accolades on Hot Girl." -- Amy Cheney for School Library Journal

"Characterizations are strong, and voices realistic….Jordan sends a message about doing the right thing…The outcome of Kate's story is positive, and those looking for soft street-lit titles will find the book appealing." -- Emily Anne Valente, New York Public Library for SCHOOL School Library Journal

"Librarians will be pleased with an urban fiction offering that does not drag its characters through melodramatic depravity but instead shows teens how it is possible to consciously choose the direction of one's life." -- Diane Colson, VOYA

"With authentic dialogue and honest situations, [Hot Girl] will resonate with teens…Many readers will unconsciously absorb some of Kate’s grit, determination, and hope by the end of this realistic novel." -- Frances Bradburn, Booklistonline

"Readers will fall in love with Jordan's triumphant heroine as she navigates the foster care system with wisdom, wit, endurance and hope...a refreshing and touching read." Kalisha Buckhanon, Alex award-winning author of Upstate and Conception

"Hot Girl is a must read... Kate is a young girl struggling to stay positive in the midst of the notorious foster care system. Her wit and perception as she narrates this tale will make readers laugh, cry and cheer her on.  This is a no-holds-barred, tell-it-like-it-is tale that every young person can learn from. Dream Jordan has burst on the scene in a big way! "--Tracy Brown, Essence bestselling author of White Lines

 

About the Author

Dream Jordan is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a bachelor of arts in creative writing. In her spare time, she visits schools to give talks promoting self-awareness and the value of education.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312382847
• ISBN-13: 978-0312382841
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NYC Teens Love HOT GIRL, December 21, 2008

By 

I Teach NYC (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Girl (Paperback)

"Teacher, why can't we read books like this in school!!??" She flashes a copy of HOT GIRL, by Dream Jordan in my face. She explains that HOT GIRL is the story of Kate, an urban teenage girl, who starts messing up in school, at home and with boys because she starts following a girl who only values boys and "bling" (money). But she starts to follow her own mind and does the right thing.
After reading my student's copy of the book, I found her review to be quite accurate. I also found the story of Kate to be engaging and well written. I purchased some additional copies and HOT GIRL has spread like wild fire among the students at my urban High School in NYC.
HOT GIRL meets the NYS ELA Core Curriculum Standards 2&4: Independent Reading and Partner Reading. HOT GIRL appeals to both strong and shy readers alike. It's refreshing to hear the dialogue generated by this book.
Having universal appeal, HOT GIRL is a very real and timely coming of age story.
I Teach NYC

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem!, June 17, 2011

By 

SAH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Girl (Paperback)

Dream Jordan's "Hot Girl," is a work of art that packs a punch and is sure to enlighten young adults everywhere - even the most reluctant reader.

Kate, the witty-smart-quick-on-her-feet protagonist had me literally laughing from the onset. She jumps off the page and reels readers into her not-so-storybook life. Teenagers, especially girls who've known the foster care system, will have an instant connection to Kate and feed off of her humor, strength and perseverance.

With decorum, the author illustrates authentic temptation, longing and struggle that many teenagers face. Jordon cleverly teaches young adults a lesson without beating them over the head with a brick. Set in urban Brooklyn, "Hot Girl" is an effective cautionary tale void of the obscenity often found in young adult literature.

Jordon brilliantly grips and showcases reality with sensitivity, style and class. It's a must read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Follow That Girl, August 20, 2009

By 

Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Girl (Paperback)

Fourteen-year-old Kate, a foster kid living in Brooklyn, is fairly bored and lonely this summer because her best friend is far away, on a trip in South Africa. Kate makes a new friend named Najeelah, a girl who dresses to impress and has boyfriends galore. When Kate gets a makeover and new-old (hand-me-down) wardrobe from Najeelah, she gets a total confidence boost - enough to start flirting with her crush and long-time friend Charles. But when Najeelah's risky behavior puts Kate in some tricky situations, Kate must decide whether her new friend is worth the risk.

Kate is world-weary due to her early-in-life parental abandonment and subsequent bouncing from foster home to foster home. The damage she has done to herself and others (such as her time in a gang) is revealed in flashbacks here and there when she considers where she's been - and where she's going. Her recent efforts to become a better student have also made her a better person. Her best friend Felicia and her social worker Tisha are very supportive, and her current foster parents are good people - even if Kate doesn't always see eye-to-eye with her foster mom.

Kate's summer story is a very good one, and I recommend it, especially to those who read this month's readergirlz selection, Kendra by Coe Booth. I in turn thank Doret for recommending this book to me.