STAR BABY (Hollywood Daughters, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Joan Lowery Nixon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hollywood Daughters, Book 1 | Publication Date: October 1, 1989

Despite her interfering stage mother, seventeen-year-old Abby, a former child movie star, pursues her dream of becoming an actress in Hollywood during World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ten years ago, Abby was "Cookie Baynes," the nation's best-loved child star. Now she is a gawky teenager whose ambitious stage mother won't let her grow out of her former role. Abby still dreams of starring in films--but as a sophisticated comedienne, not an overgrown tot. Few readers will be surprised to find that by the novel's end Abby has extricated herself from her bossy parent's grasp and has been favored with the sort of lucky break that leads to stardom. Glittering details of life in 1940s Hollywood are almost enough to make up for the abundance of melodramatic plot twists and one-dimensional characters found here. This is the first in the Hollywood Daughters series. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-- Abby Baynes, at age 17, is a "has been"--a child star grown out of her image as the sensational "Cookie" Baynes, once as popular as Shirley Temple and Judy Garland. Unfortunately, Abby's mother refuses to accept the fact that Abby is no longer in : demand by her once-adoring fans. Never one to give up, she makes Abby dress in little-girl taffeta dresses and patent leather Mary Janes and perform her old routines at any function into which her agent can get her booked. Abby yearns to shed her little-girl image and try to break into stand-up comedy, but is afraid to defy her domineering mother. Set in 1942, this story follows Abby through a few important months in her life as she, with the help of a friend, gradually gains confidence in her abilities and own wishes. Although readers may become frustrated with Abby's compliance and her too-sweet attitude towards her brother, those who enjoyed Myers' Crystal (Viking, 1987) will be interested in reading about another teen's venture into stardom as well as her self-examination and resolution of complicated situations. --Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 179 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055305838X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553058383
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,600,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, December 21, 2005

By 

Katrina Elizabeth "Kat" (Van Alstyne. Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: STAR BABY (Hollywood Daughters, Book 1) (Hardcover)

In the first editon to the Hollywood Daughters trilogy, seventeen-year-old Abby is a former child star growing up in Hollywood in the 1940s.
During her childhood, Abby was a big time star who was compared to Shirley Temple. Her mother had her name changed to Cookie, and made sure everyone in Hollywood knew her daughter.
As Abby grew up, parts for her in movies became harder and harder to get, until one day her agent told her she was a 'has been' and that she should give up acting.
Abby then decides that it's time to have a career change. She becomes a comedian, stands up to her overpowering mother, and runs off to entertain the troops during World War II.

Wonderful book, and I look forward to reading the other two books in this series.

``Katrina

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, June 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: STAR BABY (Hollywood Daughters, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Nixon developed the main character, Abby, quite well. Her witty trait was made apparent with the other characters she came across. I recommend reading this book in the Hollywood daughters trilogy, for this one is by far the best.