Less Is More: Real TV, Take 3 (Real TV Series) [Paperback]

Wendy G. Lawton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Real TV Series | Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Abby gets tired of the constant teasing about her weight at youth group. When her PE teacher submits her name for the fitness challenge on her favorite reality TV show, Less is More, it seems to be the perfect solution. But is Abby up for the challenge'

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

WENDY LAWTON, an award-winning writer, sculptor, and doll designer, founded the Lawton Doll Company in 1979. She currently works as an agent for the Books & Such Literary Agency. Wendy has written numerous books, including six for her Daughters of Faith series and four for her Real TV series. Wendy is active in her church and is a frequent speaker for women's groups. Wendy and her husband, Keith, are parents to three adult children and live in Hilmar, California.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Abby woke to a blanket of fog on her first day of school. Not that fog was all that unusual. The famous San Francisco cloud cover greeted them almost every morning.She'd worried about what to wear for days. She didn't want to wear something that screamed

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802454151
• ISBN-13: 978-0802454157
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,602,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars How can less be more? Does that even make sense? It sure does to Abby!, August 17, 2011

By 

J:-)mi "~ Eph. 3:20" (CTF Devourer) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Is More: Real TV, Take 3 (Real TV Series) (Paperback)

The weight loss struggle may seem like the focus of the book, but what I really like is the other story going on. One of the new friends Abby makes is Isabella, a girl who knows a lot of facts about Christianity but is not a Christian and not interested in what she sees of the Church youth group. The popular kids run the youth group with minimal accountability from the adults and they make up cruel nicknames for everyone. They don't think of it as rude. Their view is that it the main guy is "a stronger leader. He feels his style is perfect for peers. He says it's fast paced, a little sarcastic, with just enough attitude to keep things moving". He views it as a good thing. And the group is large. But the one girl on the outside sees things differently. She's been asked to go for a long time, but refuses because of what she sees and hears about it. Then Abby comes into her life and Isabella is draw to what she sees there. Abby has suffered a great loss and continues to put her faith in God and love those around her. That causes Isabella to dig into her Bible to find out for herself who God is. Name calling and the use of sarcasm to be humorous are issues not normally dealt with, but this author isn't afraid to call it for what it is: rudeness. I highly recommend this book to all teenagers!

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and relatable perspective on an issue many teens struggle with, January 12, 2007

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Less Is More: Real TV, Take 3 (Real TV Series) (Paperback)

Abby Lewis has never been comfortable with her weight. But when her father dies and she moves in with her comfort-food cooking grandmother, the problem begins to take hold of her life. In LESS IS MORE, the third installment in Wendy Lawton's Real TV series, a grieving Abby must start all over without her father and adjust to life in the big city. Grieving the loss of her father, friends and everything she once knew, Abby begins to eat away her feelings --- quite literally. As she continues to pack on the pounds, her self esteem begins to plummet. She is excited to receive an invitation to the local youth group but is soon given a cruel nickname by her fellow students, causing further pain.

Luckily, Abby begins to develop a friendship with kind football star Parker and nutrition-crazy Isabella, who help her to reexamine her choices. She decides that she must start to shed some pounds, but with each thought of her father, the binging continues --- and it sure doesn't help that her grandmother is constantly feeding her with some of the most fattening foods on the market.

However, everything begins to change one day when Abby is mysteriously summoned out of class and gets the surprise of her life. Unbeknownst to Abby, new best friend Isabella and gym teacher Coach Matthews submitted an application for her to appear on the hit reality series "Less is More." On the show, contestants undergo a holistic approach to weight loss. Each is assigned to a personal trainer and a nutritionist, and the causes of the weight problems are examined and addressed. "Less is More" has long been Abby's favorite program, and she can't turn down the full scholarship offered to her if she reaches her goal weight. With Coach Matthews as her trainer and Isabella as her nutritionist, can Abby finally drop the pounds that have so long troubled her and reverse the negativity she's constantly surrounded by?

LESS IS MORE gives a fresh and relatable perspective to an issue that many teens struggle with. Not only will readers enjoy the exciting, though at times heartbreaking, plot of the book, they also will take something away from it. The novel aims to teach both those who struggle with weight issues and those who have never even considered their nutritional choices. It offers solid advice on maintaining a healthy diet, without dieting, and keeping fit through regular exercise, which is valuable to any reader. Lawton is careful to encourage a healthy body image, no matter what someone's weight might be. At the same time, the book addresses the unseen consequences of so-called harmless teasing.

The focus on a reality TV show is merely the backdrop for a much larger and more poignant story. Readers undoubtedly will be inspired by Abby's journey and begin to more carefully evaluate their own decisions.

--- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby

5.0 out of 5 stars More, more, more, July 23, 2005

By 

Crystal E. Miller "Mostly Homespun, Thoroughl... (Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Less Is More: Real TV, Take 3 (Real TV Series) (Paperback)

Sixteen-year-old Abby Matthews battles grief after her father's sudden death. Then, when she and her mother move from Suwanee, Georgia to San Francisco, her emotional cocooning and unhealthy eating packs on more weight than she expected. This makes the first days at her new school and in her new youth group miserable. Through her new friendships, she's chosen for the weight loss show, "Less Is More." If only we all had such good friends! This entire book series is based on the current reality TV shows, like Trading Spaces and Discovery Health's National Body Challenge. It's difficult to pick a favorite as Lawton's Changing Faces (Book 1,) and Flip Flop (Book 2,) are also written with a keen insight into relationships, personal struggles and how God doesn't desert us in our troubles, large or small. I've enjoyed all the books so far.