Obsessing Orlando

by Kassy Tayler

Ninth grade marks the beginning of many firsts. But will Jenna be able to give up her Orlando Bloom obsession and risk her heart on the new guy at school? This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843956038
• ISBN13: 9780843956030
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Leisure Books
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Great for Young AND Old Adults

Kassy Tayler really has a great voice for the YA market! I liked the believable 14-year-old-ness of her characters. It was fun without being too didactic, but still had good pieces of morals running throughout. Enjoyable, even though I'm an old coot! :-)

Obsessing Orlando

Even though I only gave this book four stars, I really did like it. I found I was able to relate to the main character incredibly well - she plays volleyball, likes boys, listens to good music, chats with friends, and deals with annoying siblings. There seemed to be something small missing - maybe a sequel is needed? I recommend this one to anyone who likes a light read and wants a little romance.

First Love...Celebrity Style

Jenna's life was perfect. Her high school years had begun, and while everything within the school hallways - upperclassmen, cheerleaders - could really ride on someone's last nerve, Jenna was lucky to have her Orli sanctuary in her bedroom at home. Everytime something went wrong in her life, she would simply lock herself away in her Orlando Bloom shrine, and stare at her posters, pictures, pillowcases, and whatever else had Orli's face on it. But one day, her sanctuary is gone. Her crazy mother has gone "Trading Spaces" on her, and stolen all of her Orli memorabilia, sending Jenna's life into a tizzy. Until she meets Will Addison, the cute new guy in town, who looks like he just may be the perfect first boyfriend. But Jenna is torn. She doesn't know whether betraying her ridiculous crush on Orli and taking the plunge with Will is the right thing to do. After all, Orli had her heart first. But Will is right in front of her, and kissing an actual guy - instead of a poster - would be a nice change. Kassy Tayler - better known as Cindy Holby - has captured the essence of being a teenage girl, and having a crush on a celebrity. A crush that causes you to question your relationships with in-the-flesh guys. Her descriptions of first love - even if it is one-sided - are absolutely wonderful, and will have pre-teen and teenage girls giggling in agreement with everything in Jenna's life. Tayler is a fabulous new addition to the SMOOCH team, and her writing is sure to be a hit with all. An enjoyable look at first love...celebrity style. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

strong look at young teenage love

Jenna Wheeler loves Orlando Bloom and dreams of one day marrying the actor. Her bedroom is dedicated to the star with posters everywhere and even her pillowcase contains a picture of his bod. That is until her mom decides to redo her room in "Pepto Bismal" pink while Jenna is away. Her beloved "Bloom wallpaper" resides in her closet as her mother explains that as a fourteen year old entering high school she needs to behave accordingly. Knowing she lost the battle, Jenna thanks her mom for doing such a nice job with her room while her older brother teases her about the demise of Jenna's love life. At high school, Jenna meets cute boys that she likes. However, there is one particular teen Will Addison that makes Jenna wants to forget her Bloom. She agonizes over begin unfaithful to her crush yet the temptation is clearly there. Should she choose the handsome student who seems to like her as much as she does him or wait and hope that one day her unrequited Hollywood Prince Charming will sweep her off her feet? OBSESSING ORLANDO is a fabulous teenage character study that follows the frustrations of a girl whose crush is way beyond her reach, but can dream that one day her prince will come for her. Young adult readers will feel for Jenna as she wonders if she should drop her vow and switch her allegiance to cute Will. Kassy Taylor provides a strong look at young teenage love starring a high school freshman who seems like the real deal as she struggles with radical stressful changes in her life like entering high school and liking the local boys especially the newcomer.

The Generation Gap is not so narrow as we imagine....

....because a few things don't change. Every chick can look back on her childhood and remember the celebrity heartthrob of her day. It's difficult for adult writers to pen works that real teens can relate to, but Kassy Tayler obviously did her homework in this entertaining work that blends current pop culture with her subject matter. This really isn't a surprise, since Kassy Tayler is better known as Cindy Holby of the bestselling "Chase the Wind" series as well as Colby Hodge of the sci-fi romance "Stargazer." If the novel has a flaw, it's the part where the parents not only force Jenna to get rid of her beloved Orlando Bloom collectibles, but take them down and throw them away herself - I thought it overdone, bordering on downright vicious; surely most real parents humor the Obsession Of the Day and wouldn't be so cruel - but the rest of the novel is highly realistic as Jenna moves from adolescent fantasy to interest in a real, accessible hottie. This novel is highly entertaining and would make a nice stocking stuffer for a young reader. Moms - if you love Cindy Holby, be sure to check out Kassy Tayler, and span the generation gap with your daughter for the holidays.