Zee (short for Mackenzie) is lead in a musical, not noticing how her friends (Jasper and Chloe) are becoming nothing around her, her eyes are kept on Landon. She had a crash on him. Somehow, Zee has to capture his attention, without ruining her own reputation... How? Zee talks to her best friend in France, (Ally) she says that Zee just has to be herself... Thanks a lot! Then, Kathi, Zee's virtual enemy starts becoming friendly and cool around her, hm... Can Zee trust her? In the midst of trouble, Zee can only find one way out... ( )

Zee (short for Mackenzie) is lead in a musical, not noticing how her friends (Jasper and Chloe) are becoming nothing around her, her eyes are kept on Landon. Her crush. Somehow, Zee has to capture his attention, without ruining her own reputation... How? Zee talks to her best friend in France, (Ally) she says that Zee just has to be herself... Thanks a lot! Then, Kathi, Zee's virtual enemy starts becoming friendly and cool around her, hm... Can Zee trust her? In the midst of trouble, Zee can only find one way out... ( )

A nice addition the the Mackenzie Blues series....book two finds Zee trying to find a balance between her new friends, school, and 'THE BEANS', while still keeping true to herself and her long distance friend Ally. All the excitement has her trusting some she should not and ignoring some she should. In the end, she winds up in quite a predicament...but who will come to her rescue saving her day and the musical performance of her young school career?

Though the book is titled "THE SECRET CRUSH", it seemed as though that story took a back seat to Zee's more pressing musical dreams. It's not a bad thing since the story would run the risk of lagging dramatically had it focused only on the crush, it just left this reader wondering if there wasn't perhaps another more fitting title to be had. All in all, a fun read recommended for fans of MG fiction..... ( )

The Little Bookworm

Zee is back with her gang and they are forming a band with the help of Mr. P, the ultra cool music teacher. The Beans, as they name themselves, decide to put on a musical as way of introducing themselves to the school. And everyone wants the leads of course. Zee wants the female lead and hopes Landon, her not-so-secret crush, get the male lead. But Zee's friend Jasper also wants the lead and he is acting weird toward Landon. How will Zee handle all this tension?

Another cute book in the Mackenzie Blue series, I think this one is a little better since all the characters have been introduced. I can't figure out the Kathi character. She is given a lot of motivation for her behavior and then she acts out of character. Maybe that is a hallmark of the tween age, trying to figure out who you want to be. I like the illustrations in each book and think it adds to the story nicely. ( )

Mackenzie Blue returns again, with all her friends & foes, for another middle school adventure. This time her music class is putting on the performance and she has got the lead, and her crush Landon is her co-star. This is great for Mackenzie because now she gets to spend every waking minute with him, get close to him, and maybe through all this she'll get to become his girlfriend. So if you notice on my site, you might notice that I don't review a lot of MG books because I don't read them mainly. But I read a few series, series that are still making books that I read at that age and books that I find really good. Mackenzie Blue is one of those books that is very attractive and fun looking, so it's a must read. It has IM (instant messaging) conversations, pictures, text messages, and diary entries in the book so it makes it a fun, quick read. You feel like it's Christmas morning while reading theses. I have not reviewed the first book in the series.

Also a lot of things that happen in Mackenzie Blue is very realistic, and things that Zee (nickname for Mackenzie) is going through are things that I went through in middle school. Examples; having the popular girl hate you, being embarrassed of your parents, crushing on a boy, and having those friends that stick up for you no matter what. In middle school it seems so hard, then you get to high school and you wish you were back in middle school. It's fun for a junior in high school to read this. It certainly takes your mind off of problems you have in your life. Mackenzie blue series is funny and in the first book (this is the sequel) Mackenzie's diary gets stolen and everyone in school finds out some of her biggest secrets. Which, if happen to me, I would be as desperate as Mackenzie to get it back. Mackenzie Blue is your regular 12 year old, who wishes to be the next Taylor Swift & is a fashionista. She is a very good friend, but sometimes gets to be selfish and sidetracked. Me and Mackenzie are nothing alike, but the amazing thing is while reading both books you feel like your Mackenzie. Tina Wells does an amazing job of going into a middle school girl's mind and writing a book of those periods in life. Both books are fast paste, but I enjoyed this book more then the other one. It is also a simple, easy read so you don't have to think to much. So I really don't have to dive deeper into it. But again, I recommend (if I haven't said this before) to read the first one first. The only complaints I have about this book is that the conflict in the end with, I guess lets say, the antagonist was very unrealistic. I cannot imagine a 12 year old doing that, though maybe I don't know enough people to tell that. Also, I know my generation (and current 12 year olds) talk about this a lot, but I found it weird with Kathi liking her teacher. That was just not needed, especially for this series, no matter how realistic it is. It made me feel unsettle at times reading what she thought about her teacher.

In all this is a book I recommend to all, whether your 12, 16 or even 25. It's a relaxing read with unique, fun dialogue and emotion that comes through to the readers. ( )