Living It Up To Live It Down
by Ronica Stromberg

    LIVING IT UP TO LIVE IT DOWN by Ronica Stromberg
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  11/09
    Publisher:  Royal Fireworks Press
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  4 Stars


    LIVING IT UP TO LIVE IT DOWN is Book Two in the Kirsten Hart series by Ronica Stromberg.  It would
    best be described as Christian fiction.

    Kirsten is starting middle school.  As a seventh grader, she is nervous about being mixed in with grades seven
    through nine for the first time.  One thing she hopes and prays for is that she meets a new Christian friend who
    can help guide her through tough times.  Her prayers might be answered when she meets Sarah.

    Amazingly, Sarah is a ninth grader in Kirsten’s math class.  Sarah is beautiful, a cheerleader, and quite popular
    if the number of boys clamoring to sit next to her is any indication.  Kirsten wonders why Sarah is in a seventh
    grade math class, but she is pleasantly surprised when Sarah asks to be her partner when they are assigned
    some in-class problems.  It doesn’t seem like a big deal when Sarah spends more time flirting with the guys than
    helping with the assignment.

    Before Kirsten knows it, Sarah is inviting her over after school so they can work on homework together.  
    Kirsten learns that Sarah’s father is the minister of a local congregation, which makes her think she has at last
    found the friend she’s been looking for.  When Sarah also invites her to church one Sunday and even offers her
    a ride, Kirsten is sure her Christian life is headed in the right direction.

    The longer Kirsten and Sarah are friends, the more confused Kirsten becomes.  Working together on homework
    actually begins to mean Sarah copying Kirsten’s work.  She also realizes that no matter how much time they
    spend together, Sarah’s ninth grade friends never truly accept Kirsten as part of their circle.  Despite a failed
    slumber party, Kirsten continues to champion Sarah as her friend.

    Remaining true to her newly discovered faith, Kirsten finds her friendship with Sarah is tested frequently.  Even
    her younger brother questions just how “faithful” this hard-playing preacher’s daughter truly is.  Will Kirsten find
    the Christian support she is looking for, or will she remain alone in her belief in God?

    Although I found LIVING IT UP TO LIVE IT DOWN a bit preachy, and I didn’t always feel the characters
    were believable, I think those looking for Christian-based fiction will no doubt find satisfaction in Kirsten’s story.
This book is
available for
purchase through
Royal Fireworks
Press