When her mom died, DJ had to move in with her grandmother, internationally famous '60s fashion model Katherine Carter. Now Mrs. Carter's opened a boarding home for young ladies, and DJ---who would rather wear her basketball team uniform than haute couture---is just sure they'll all be unbearable fashion snobs. One by one, the girls arrive and begin to figure out how to fit into this new family, getting to know each other and forming friendships. Sure, there's an aspiring diva or two, but before long, the Carter House girls are dating, fighting, laughing, shopping, sharing clothes, purses, shoes ... and their deepest secrets. DJ may not turn into the perfect little lady her grandmother has in mind, but one thing's for certain---with all these new 'sisters,' her life will never be the same!
Mixed Bags (Carter House Girls)
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From the Back Cover
When her mom died, DJ had to move in with her grandmother, internationally famous '60s fashion model Katherine Carter. Now Mrs. Carter's opened a boarding home for young ladies, and DJ---who would rather wear her basketball team uniform than haute couture---is just sure they'll all be unbearable fashion snobs. One by one, the girls arrive and begin to figure out how to fit into this new family, getting to know each other and forming friendships. Sure, there's an aspiring diva or two, but before long, the Carter House girls are dating, fighting, laughing, shopping, sharing clothes, purses, shoes ... and their deepest secrets. DJ may not turn into the perfect little lady her grandmother has in mind, but one thing's for certain---with all these new 'sisters,' her life will never be the same!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. 'I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,' she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.
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More About the Author
Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mixed Bags by Melody Carlson is the first book in the Carter House Girls series. DJ's grandmother, a former supermodel, has opened up her large Victorian home to five other girls in hopes of turning them all into debutantes. DJ is au naturel: no make-up, hair tucked up in a baseball cap, and completely ignorant of designer labels. So sharing her home and even room with girls who look like they stepped off of the pages of Vogue does a number on her self-esteem. Taylor and Eliza and beautifully dressed and self-assured. Kriti is a lovely Indian girl who wants to go far academically. Rhiannon and Casey are Grandma Carter's charity cases. Rhiannon has come to faith in spite of her mother's drug addiction. Casey's parents believe she's in need of an intervention with the safety pins through her eyebrows and Goth style make-up. Throwing all of these girls into one house ensures plenty of drama and clashing personalities. I am thoroughly impressed with Zondervan's willingness to attack real teenage issues head on. Some of these girls are sexually active, one smokes, some drink; these are not your stereotypical Christian fiction teens. They break the rules and each other without a second thought. But Carlson gives each girl a real personality with quirks and failings. We see events primarily though DJ's eyes, and she struggles with figuring out who she is and want she really wants, just like every other real world teen. This promising introduction to the series definitely leaves the reader wanting more.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Ali
Format:Paperback
I have read many books by Melody Carlson from the True Colors, Diary of a Teenage Girl, and Samantha McGregor series and I loved them all. However this book was a disappointment. The plot is rather weak; DJ's decision to become a Christian comes almost completely out of the blue without the period exploration Carlson's other characters go through. Despite this I did feel some connection to the characters and I finished the book in one sitting, so it held my attention. I would recommend this book for younger teens and as a clean alternative to the many similar books filling bookstore shelves nowadays.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Teen Reads
Format:Paperback
Prolific author Melody Carlson has successfully jump-started another real-to-life teen series, this time featuring tomboyish DJ Lane (aka Desiree), who has to figure out how to fit in at her grandmother's boarding house for teen fashion plates. Katherine Carter, once an international fashion model herself, has now retired. To supplement her income, she has opened a home for the wealthy, fashion-oriented young teenage girls to be groomed in culture and the finer ways of life. Too bad DJ has no use for such things as designer clothes, makeup and hair highlights. She would rather be outdoors playing sports than indoors playing dress-up.
Since her mother's death, DJ tried living with her dad, his new wife and their infant twins, only to feel like she was being used as a full-time babysitter. So she jumped at the chance to live with her maternal grandmother, even though the two are as different as night and day. Still, DJ is semi-excited to find out that two old friends are coming to board at Mrs. Carter's with her.
Rhiannon, a former neighbor girl with little funds, is taken in by Mrs. Carter and is a different person from who DJ remembered. The change? God. Rhiannon's home life was no picnic and she had discovered Christ to be her source of strength and hope. Then there is Casey, her one-time best friend forever turned Goth with her spiky, jet-black hair and the electric blue center piece, assorted facial piercings and thick black eyeliner. DJ almost doesn't recognize Casey, but her looks aren't the only alterations. Attitude --- lots of angry, bitter, in-your-face attitude --- now pours out of Casey as well. Like Rhiannon, Casey has a story of hard times, and her current outward appearance is her way of protecting herself. DJ just doesn't know what to think.
Then there are the "other" boarders --- Eliza, Taylor and Kriti --- three girls with money, individual egos and minds of their own. With the six young ladies sharing bedrooms and closet space, there are soon arguments, tantrums, backbiting and power plays --- all of which DJ is no match for. Especially difficult for her is the interplay between the girls and boys in town. One particular boy, Connor, is soon caught between DJ and their blossoming friendship, and the conniving Taylor, who is set on destroying DJ's chances with Connor as well as her reputation. Are there any winners here? DJ soon realizes that she is out of her depth and makes external and internal changes that have Connor and the girls noticing.
MIXED BAGS is an excellent beginning to a fun-filled, teen angst-driven lifestyle storyline that highlights the rich and famous...with all their peculiar habits, biases and prejudices. Melody Carlson's books always promise an emotional (and educational) ride to her readers --- and the first installment of the Carter House Girls series is no exception.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe
Since her mother's death, DJ tried living with her dad, his new wife and their infant twins, only to feel like she was being used as a full-time babysitter. So she jumped at the chance to live with her maternal grandmother, even though the two are as different as night and day. Still, DJ is semi-excited to find out that two old friends are coming to board at Mrs. Carter's with her.
Rhiannon, a former neighbor girl with little funds, is taken in by Mrs. Carter and is a different person from who DJ remembered. The change? God. Rhiannon's home life was no picnic and she had discovered Christ to be her source of strength and hope. Then there is Casey, her one-time best friend forever turned Goth with her spiky, jet-black hair and the electric blue center piece, assorted facial piercings and thick black eyeliner. DJ almost doesn't recognize Casey, but her looks aren't the only alterations. Attitude --- lots of angry, bitter, in-your-face attitude --- now pours out of Casey as well. Like Rhiannon, Casey has a story of hard times, and her current outward appearance is her way of protecting herself. DJ just doesn't know what to think.
Then there are the "other" boarders --- Eliza, Taylor and Kriti --- three girls with money, individual egos and minds of their own. With the six young ladies sharing bedrooms and closet space, there are soon arguments, tantrums, backbiting and power plays --- all of which DJ is no match for. Especially difficult for her is the interplay between the girls and boys in town. One particular boy, Connor, is soon caught between DJ and their blossoming friendship, and the conniving Taylor, who is set on destroying DJ's chances with Connor as well as her reputation. Are there any winners here? DJ soon realizes that she is out of her depth and makes external and internal changes that have Connor and the girls noticing.
MIXED BAGS is an excellent beginning to a fun-filled, teen angst-driven lifestyle storyline that highlights the rich and famous...with all their peculiar habits, biases and prejudices. Melody Carlson's books always promise an emotional (and educational) ride to her readers --- and the first installment of the Carter House Girls series is no exception.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn them well
i'm in love with all the characters includin' Taylor
learn about Conner DJ Taylor Eliza Casey Rhiannon and i forgot the Hindi girl's name but i hope u remember it
i... Read more
learn about Conner DJ Taylor Eliza Casey Rhiannon and i forgot the Hindi girl's name but i hope u remember it
i... Read more
Published 11 months ago by AncientEgypt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute book in an overpriced series
The book is cute & a quick read (224 pgs in print) but be warned that this is book 1 of an overpriced series. Read more
Published on December 10, 2010 by J
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
The book as a real page turner and was super well writen. I could not put it down,the author reallymade you feel the pain,envy, and over all feelings of the main character. Read more
Published on September 11, 2010
1.0 out of 5 stars
disappointed
this book was interesting, until the very end. The protaganist DJ, was conflicted about a number of issues, and the issues were built up until the very end and......nothing. Read more
Published on August 18, 2010 by L. Wallach
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings for Mixed Bags
When I bought Mixed Bags, I paid absolutely nothing for it. Seeing that it was free for a limited time, I quickly welcomed it into my collection, not even bothering to read the... Read more
Published on August 16, 2010
4.0 out of 5 stars
I didn't know that this was a Christian book at first.....
I think I got this book from Amazon while it was doing a "free for a limited time" promotion. I had not noticed that this was a Christian book at first. Read more
Published on August 15, 2010 by Recky r
3.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely for the very young adult..
The book is a bit immature and a bit unbelievable. It would probably do well for the tween set, but there may be some content that is too risque for them. Read more
Published on August 7, 2010 by Samantha
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fell flat
I'm a fan of teen fiction, but from the beginning I was a bit skeptical about this book. I like the main character, and the clash of personalities between her and the other girls... Read more
Published on August 3, 2010 by lpgeorge123
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, good story line, kept me interested
This a a good free book. The characters are likable and realistic. I enjoy reading Christian literature.
Published on August 2, 2010 by Antoinette Henderson
2.0 out of 5 stars
A novel lighter than air...
I sincerely applaud the fact that Christian fiction is available for teen girls who enjoy reading. I do, however, wish that authors who work in this field and can get away with... Read more
Published on July 31, 2010 by J. Ellis
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