ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE by Caridad Ferrer
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  7/4/06
    Publisher:  MTV Books
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    If you're a fan of American Idol, like I am, you're going to love this book.  If you don't like American Idol, that's okay,
    too, because you're still going to love this book!  ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE, the debut young adult novel of author
    Caridad Ferrer, stars seventeen-year-old Ali Montero, a Latino teen who is determined to be a finalist on the reality
    music show Oye Mi Canto.

    Ali is a typical teen with a major difference--she has real musical talent.  When she's singing and playing her guitar, she
    can forget about the usual family problems, the crazy friends, the insane school life.  When she's inside her own head
    with only the music, Ali is transformed beyond a normal teenager into a star.  The wonderful thing about Ali, though, is
    that she refuses to let stardom, or even normal trends, change the type of young woman that she is.  There's no Jennifer
    Lopez or Shakira skimpy outfits or butt-shaking in her routines; there's no Ricky Martin or Marc Anthony wannabe
    groupies worming their way into her life.

    With fresh and witty dialogue and a heroine that is truly easy to relate to, ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE is a glimpse into
    what it means to live your dreams.  While Ali lives the life of having her daily highs and lows shown on national
    television, she's smart enough to know that her music--and not fame and fortune--is what's important.

    Kudos to Ms. Ferrer for a winning debut novel.  This is the perfect story for everyone, whether male or female, young
    or old, American Idol fan or not.
Adios to My Old Life
by Caridad Ferrer