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Picture Imperfect
Twelve-year-old JJ loves three things: her great-grandma, her cat, and photography. But she's never going to be a real photographer unless she gets better equipment. When her best friend, Kat, discovers a photo contest with the grand prize of a fancy digital camera-the kind JJ's parents could never afford-she jumps at the chance to win it. Things start going wrong when ditzy Aunt Lissa moves in under mysterious circumstances and JJ's forced to share her room. Why did Lissa lose her job anyway? Kat has all sorts of theories-theories that bring more trouble than the girls can imagine. Gram's not doing so great, the cat's always trying to sneak out, and Aunt Lissa's ruining JJ's summer. According to Gram, photography is JJ's God-given talent, but how can that be true when everything keeps going wrong? "The moving story of a young girl who finds her God-given gift, while coming to terms with loss and change." BILL MEYERS, Author of Eli and The Jesus Experience "Young readers will relate to the story of a girl trying to find her place in her family and in the world, and the strong voice and gentle sense of humor will keep them reading. Not to mention a wayward cat and a mystery or two. A fun read with real emotions and good values." JEANNIE ST. JOHN TAYLOR, Radio Host and Author/Illustrator of thirty-plus books "Delightful characters, realistic situations, and beautifully expressed emotions make Picture Imperfect the perfect read." ANGELA RUTH STRONG, Author of The Fun4Hire Series
- GenresMiddle GradeSpirituality
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2015
About the author
Susan Thogerson Maas
4 books334 followersSusan Thogerson Maas lives in the beautiful state of Oregon and writes nonfiction for adults—mostly devotionals and personal experience articles—and fiction for children, including two books for middle grade students, Picture Imperfect and Abbie’s Woods: Defending the Nest. In her free time, Susan likes to go hiking and camping with her husband, take photographs of nature and of her two wonderful grandsons, work in her vegetable garden, and travel. Her favorite destinations are Japan and Georgia, where her two sons live.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 16, 2016
About this book:
“Twelve-year-old JJ loves three things: her great-grandma, her cat, and photography. But she’s never going to be a real photographer unless she gets better equipment. When her best friend, Kat, discovers a photo contest with the grand prize of a fancy digital camera—the kind JJ’s parents could never afford—she jumps at the chance to win it.
Things start going wrong when ditzy Aunt Lissa moves in under mysterious circumstances and JJ’s forced to share her room. Why did Lissa lose her job anyway? Kat has all sorts of theories—theories that bring more trouble than the girls can imagine.
Gram’s not doing so great, the cat’s always trying to sneak out, and Aunt Lissa’s ruining JJ’s summer. According to Gram, photography is JJ’s God-given talent, but how can that be true when everything keeps going wrong?”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Many, many talks about & mentions of God, God-given talents, Him believing in us, Him watching, dreams, prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & Scriptures are read & thought over; Gram has a strong faith & talks about God; At first, JJ isn’t so sure that God believes in her (but later learns that He does); Going to Church & a funeral; Many mentions of Church, Heaven (and angels) & stained glass; Mentions of hymns; Mentions of those in the Bible & parables; A mention of Easter.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a form of ‘shut up’, two ‘crummy’s, and nine ‘stupid’s; A bit of Sarcasm; Anger, yelling & name calling (‘brat’ & ‘jerk’ are the highest it gets); Kat’s parents are divorced; Mentions of parents not being together; Mentions of killing & criminals (more joking than serious, not-detailed); A mention of a spanking;
*Note: Kat has posters in her room of rock stars with studs & rings on their faces (It’s added that Kat wanted to get her eyebrows pierced, but her mom wouldn’t let her).
Sexual Content- a ‘hot’; JJ says she doesn’t have a clue about boys; Talks about & mentions of boyfriends; Lissa has a boyfriend & a mention of kissing sounds; A mention of Kat’s dad having a girlfriend; A mention of Brett’s first date;
*Note: A mention of one cousin showing off her legs by wearing short shorts (16) and another cousin wearing makeup & talking about her boyfriend (13).
-Jada Jane “JJ” Monre, age 12
1st person P.O.V. of JJ
240 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Star (and a half)
New Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add a ½ star for girls interested in photography.}
This might have been my first time reading this book, but it bought back many memories. I was JJ’s age when I became interested in photography, and 13 when I had saved enough for my DSLR camera. I so could relate to JJ in waiting/wanting a camera back then! ;) “Picture Imperfect” was very cute, well written and had great Spiritual Content. Girls who love photography will really enjoy this one—even girls who aren’t interested in photography will like it, I bet. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
“Twelve-year-old JJ loves three things: her great-grandma, her cat, and photography. But she’s never going to be a real photographer unless she gets better equipment. When her best friend, Kat, discovers a photo contest with the grand prize of a fancy digital camera—the kind JJ’s parents could never afford—she jumps at the chance to win it.
Things start going wrong when ditzy Aunt Lissa moves in under mysterious circumstances and JJ’s forced to share her room. Why did Lissa lose her job anyway? Kat has all sorts of theories—theories that bring more trouble than the girls can imagine.
Gram’s not doing so great, the cat’s always trying to sneak out, and Aunt Lissa’s ruining JJ’s summer. According to Gram, photography is JJ’s God-given talent, but how can that be true when everything keeps going wrong?”
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Many, many talks about & mentions of God, God-given talents, Him believing in us, Him watching, dreams, prayers; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Bible reading & Scriptures are read & thought over; Gram has a strong faith & talks about God; At first, JJ isn’t so sure that God believes in her (but later learns that He does); Going to Church & a funeral; Many mentions of Church, Heaven (and angels) & stained glass; Mentions of hymns; Mentions of those in the Bible & parables; A mention of Easter.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a form of ‘shut up’, two ‘crummy’s, and nine ‘stupid’s; A bit of Sarcasm; Anger, yelling & name calling (‘brat’ & ‘jerk’ are the highest it gets); Kat’s parents are divorced; Mentions of parents not being together; Mentions of killing & criminals (more joking than serious, not-detailed); A mention of a spanking;
*Note: Kat has posters in her room of rock stars with studs & rings on their faces (It’s added that Kat wanted to get her eyebrows pierced, but her mom wouldn’t let her).
Sexual Content- a ‘hot’; JJ says she doesn’t have a clue about boys; Talks about & mentions of boyfriends; Lissa has a boyfriend & a mention of kissing sounds; A mention of Kat’s dad having a girlfriend; A mention of Brett’s first date;
*Note: A mention of one cousin showing off her legs by wearing short shorts (16) and another cousin wearing makeup & talking about her boyfriend (13).
-Jada Jane “JJ” Monre, age 12
1st person P.O.V. of JJ
240 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Star (and a half)
New Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Add a ½ star for girls interested in photography.}
This might have been my first time reading this book, but it bought back many memories. I was JJ’s age when I became interested in photography, and 13 when I had saved enough for my DSLR camera. I so could relate to JJ in waiting/wanting a camera back then! ;) “Picture Imperfect” was very cute, well written and had great Spiritual Content. Girls who love photography will really enjoy this one—even girls who aren’t interested in photography will like it, I bet. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
March 5, 2015
JJ's passion is photography and if she believes her grandma, it's also her God-given talent. So, when JJ's best friend Kat tells her about a local photo contest, JJ sets her eyes on the grand prize - her dream camera! JJ uses the camera Gram gave her for her birthday and together with Kat, they search high and low for the perfect picture.
In addition to taking pictures, JJ spends her time visiting Gram and chasing Tasha, her wayward cat. Her parents are busy, her aunt is driving her crazy, and the deadline for the photography contest is right around the corner!
Her grandma is a constant source of strength for JJ and encourages her to trust in God, who loves and believes in her. Gram reminded me a lot of my own grandma - strong in her faith and possessing that quiet assurance that comes from knowing God. I found myself thinking of my childhood throughout this book and smiling at the similarities.
Ms. Maas has woven the perfect tale for girls - a combination of adventure, doubt, humor, love and faith.
In addition to taking pictures, JJ spends her time visiting Gram and chasing Tasha, her wayward cat. Her parents are busy, her aunt is driving her crazy, and the deadline for the photography contest is right around the corner!
Her grandma is a constant source of strength for JJ and encourages her to trust in God, who loves and believes in her. Gram reminded me a lot of my own grandma - strong in her faith and possessing that quiet assurance that comes from knowing God. I found myself thinking of my childhood throughout this book and smiling at the similarities.
Ms. Maas has woven the perfect tale for girls - a combination of adventure, doubt, humor, love and faith.
February 28, 2015
Enjoyable YA book with a message, that we are all loved by God even if we don't know it.
The story is enjoyable and could have been anyone's life - JJ's aunt comes to live with them for awhile and she has to share her room with her. I think both JJ and Lissa learned something from sharing the room, that it is about compromise. Hard thing for a teenager to learn sometimes!
JJ also learns about loss and death, but I think it made her a stronger person for it.
The author does a great job of making the reader feel like she is right there experiencing JJ's life from the photography, to her cat and to living with her family.
Well worth reading
The story is enjoyable and could have been anyone's life - JJ's aunt comes to live with them for awhile and she has to share her room with her. I think both JJ and Lissa learned something from sharing the room, that it is about compromise. Hard thing for a teenager to learn sometimes!
JJ also learns about loss and death, but I think it made her a stronger person for it.
The author does a great job of making the reader feel like she is right there experiencing JJ's life from the photography, to her cat and to living with her family.
Well worth reading
February 15, 2017
Fun for preteens and teens. Deals with self-image in a way that encourages youths to feel good about themselves and go for their dreams. Really enjoyed this one.
October 19, 2023
JJ’s quest to find the perfect contest photo becomes one quirky challenge after another causing JJ’s emotions to skip in every direction. This story contains a mix of realistic emotion, frustration, friendship, fun, love, and creative passion. I enjoyed every page of this novel and will happily send this fun middle grade novel to my niece to share with her children.
August 15, 2020
JJ is 12 yo and she wants to be a photographer but needs a better camera so she plans to enter a photo contest with her dream camera as the grand prize. The ups and downs in her life keep the story moving to the perfect end.
April 18, 2022
A great book. Easy to read.It is written for preteens, but as a grandma, I still enjoyed it. Twelve year old JJ learns the value of family, and the love of God.
March 18, 2015
JJ is twelve and loves photography. Her grandmother gave her a camera for her birthday, but already she aspires to something far more expensive and hopes to win the perfect SLR through a photography contest. Meanwhile her aunt has come to stay, and JJ has to share her bedroom. When the aunt fails to close the kitchen door, JJ’s cat escapes. And soon JJ’s just wishing she could escape from it all. Winning the contest – that would solve all her problems, or so she believes.
JJ’s grandmother believes JJ’s photography is a God-given gift. Gram likes to talk about God, and JJ likes to humor her. But photos are far more likely than God to win her prize she dreams of.
Family relationships are nicely draw in this middle-grade novel, and even the evil, room-invading aunt has her good points, though she could always be a criminal hiding from the law. God turns out to have his good points too in a tale where half-heard truths of family or faith can mislead, and real truth can mend. Picture Imperfect paints a picture of genuinely imperfect characters facing trials and temptations, then leads them along a genuine Christian path to God-given hope. In the end, it’s not what we think we believe that matters, but rather the truth that God loves us.
Disclosure: I won a free copy at a writers’ conference – lucky me!
JJ’s grandmother believes JJ’s photography is a God-given gift. Gram likes to talk about God, and JJ likes to humor her. But photos are far more likely than God to win her prize she dreams of.
Family relationships are nicely draw in this middle-grade novel, and even the evil, room-invading aunt has her good points, though she could always be a criminal hiding from the law. God turns out to have his good points too in a tale where half-heard truths of family or faith can mislead, and real truth can mend. Picture Imperfect paints a picture of genuinely imperfect characters facing trials and temptations, then leads them along a genuine Christian path to God-given hope. In the end, it’s not what we think we believe that matters, but rather the truth that God loves us.
Disclosure: I won a free copy at a writers’ conference – lucky me!
March 4, 2015
Oh Boy, could I relate to JJ. My dad has a couple of crazy sisters that became my Aunt's and there was never a dull moment. One came to live with us for awhile when she was pregnant with her son Aaron. I'll never forget that time as long as I live. She took me to Peaches records when I was ten or eleven, I had never been in that store, and I remember feeling super cool after she took me there.
This is a great story for young teen/tween girls who are wondering who they are. The message is clear they are who they are meant to be in Christ.
I highly recommend this book!!
This is a great story for young teen/tween girls who are wondering who they are. The message is clear they are who they are meant to be in Christ.
I highly recommend this book!!
June 16, 2016
Susan Maas' Picture Imperfect is a middle-grade novel about JJ, a teenager who loves photography. Through trials involving her visiting Aunt Lissa, JJ finds comfort and counsel from her great-grandmother and her friend and neighbor Kat. This is a well-developed story with a satisfying ending. I shared this book with my discerning ten-year-old neighbor, and she loved it--read it in a day. With Cora's good recommendation, I will be donating this book to my church library.
July 15, 2019
Picture Imperfect is a feel good book with a beautiful message on following your dreams. I cheered for main character J.J. as she strived to win the grand prize in the photography competition while dealing with many obstacles along the way. The scenes with J.J. and her friend Kat are fun and entertaining, and the lessons on faith are woven in without being preachy. Middle grade girls will especially enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews