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Diary of a Teenage Girl #16
What Matters Most
Maya’s Green Tip for the Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)
Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.
To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.
Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.
To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2009
7 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
421 books3,152 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 20, 2019
While I'm sad to see the end of this series, this final outing was a touching story.
March 7, 2011
I am so glad my new library has this book and that I'm able to read it and thus complete the entire series. I didn't like the Maya books nearly as much as the others in the series, but still a good read.
April 15, 2020
I can't believe it!!!!!😭 I am finally done with this series. It is a bittersweet kind of ending. On one hand it has been really nice to these teenage girls growing and especially finding themselves in Jesus (nothing beats that.) On the other hand, I think Melody did not give any of these books a conclusive ending (though she did that with Caitlin's story.) So I'll settle for 4 stars on these books which I will definitely be rereading. I'm also patterning my own diary somehow like this☺.
March 28, 2010
What is normal? Was my upbringing, my life normal? How do we know what normal is? These were questions I asked myself as I read Melody Carlson's book, "What Matters Most". I was disappointed to find out that this was the 6th book in this series and I had not read numbers one through five. Melody Carlson was a new author to me. To that end I must now get books one through five so I can catch up. This book was a great and easy read and although it was part of a series it worked well as a stand alone book. My students kept picking it up from my desk and asking if I had finished it yet so they could check it out. It already has a waiting list of 7 readers. Not bad for a group of kids who don't like to read.
Maya is like so many of my students. She has a rough life and she has had to learn to deal with these issues on her own. Maya's father is the famous musician Nick Stark. Her mother Shannon is in prison. Maya lives with her uncle and has managed to get her GED. Still she has gone back to high school. Now all the counselor wants to know is what grade to put her in. After much praying and soul searching, Maya decides to become a senior.
Maya finds herself with guy troubles. She and dominic are no longer dating. She just wants them to be friends. Her troubles don't end there. Vanessa has targeted her and she doesn't know why until a friend points out to her that Vanessa's ex-boyfriend Wyatt has been making eyes at her. How could she have missed this? She does everything to discourage him. She finally gets everyone together to try to create peace. She invites Dominic to help her by performing during Open Mike. She has written som pieces of music. Her father has tried to discourage her from entering the world of musicl On the night of Open Mike, Chloe and Aliie from the group Redemption hear her sing. They invite her to jam with them. From this moment on Maya's life changes and she is faced with many difficult decisions. She has been invited to join the group and tour with them. This will mean becoming emancipated. This is something she has been working on since her mother landed in prison. Since her mother has just been released and is trying to get back into her life Maya is working harder on her emancipation. Joining Redemption means leaving her friend Melissa who is back home recovering from a terrible auto accident that left her brain damaged. all of this means doing a lot of praying and searching for God's will. After all of her decision making she often wonders if she made the right decision. She constantly asks God to guide her as she makes her way.
This book came at the right time. I found myself looking at the scriptures and looking at the advice given and realizing that it came at just the right time. This is a message of hope and putting all of our faith and trust in God so that we may lead a Christ filled life. I can't wait for it to make the rounds of my students. This is a great book with a great message.
Maya is like so many of my students. She has a rough life and she has had to learn to deal with these issues on her own. Maya's father is the famous musician Nick Stark. Her mother Shannon is in prison. Maya lives with her uncle and has managed to get her GED. Still she has gone back to high school. Now all the counselor wants to know is what grade to put her in. After much praying and soul searching, Maya decides to become a senior.
Maya finds herself with guy troubles. She and dominic are no longer dating. She just wants them to be friends. Her troubles don't end there. Vanessa has targeted her and she doesn't know why until a friend points out to her that Vanessa's ex-boyfriend Wyatt has been making eyes at her. How could she have missed this? She does everything to discourage him. She finally gets everyone together to try to create peace. She invites Dominic to help her by performing during Open Mike. She has written som pieces of music. Her father has tried to discourage her from entering the world of musicl On the night of Open Mike, Chloe and Aliie from the group Redemption hear her sing. They invite her to jam with them. From this moment on Maya's life changes and she is faced with many difficult decisions. She has been invited to join the group and tour with them. This will mean becoming emancipated. This is something she has been working on since her mother landed in prison. Since her mother has just been released and is trying to get back into her life Maya is working harder on her emancipation. Joining Redemption means leaving her friend Melissa who is back home recovering from a terrible auto accident that left her brain damaged. all of this means doing a lot of praying and searching for God's will. After all of her decision making she often wonders if she made the right decision. She constantly asks God to guide her as she makes her way.
This book came at the right time. I found myself looking at the scriptures and looking at the advice given and realizing that it came at just the right time. This is a message of hope and putting all of our faith and trust in God so that we may lead a Christ filled life. I can't wait for it to make the rounds of my students. This is a great book with a great message.
October 8, 2009
Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)
Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything. To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.
My Thoughts
This was the last book in a series. While I did enjoy it I probably would have gotten more out of it if I had read the other books first. Maya is an interesting and sometimes complex character, especially for a teenager. She has to deal with typical high school angst which can be hard enough but then to add her mother's situation and her own desire to be a musician she definitely had a full plate. She is determined to make her dreams come true. I did like the format of her story and how it was told in journal entries. I also thought Maya's Green Tip For The Day was a great addition to the end of each chapter. After reading this book I would be interested in reading more from the series.
Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything. To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.
My Thoughts
This was the last book in a series. While I did enjoy it I probably would have gotten more out of it if I had read the other books first. Maya is an interesting and sometimes complex character, especially for a teenager. She has to deal with typical high school angst which can be hard enough but then to add her mother's situation and her own desire to be a musician she definitely had a full plate. She is determined to make her dreams come true. I did like the format of her story and how it was told in journal entries. I also thought Maya's Green Tip For The Day was a great addition to the end of each chapter. After reading this book I would be interested in reading more from the series.
October 27, 2009
Maya, is living with her uncle going to school and HOPING and praying that her mom does not get out of prison. WOW! That is a lot for a sixteen year old girl to absorb. However Maya has never had an easy life. Her dad, who is a professional musician and on the road all the time, and her mom has a drinking and drug habit. Her parents, now divorced have been bankrupted by her mom's habit, she has stolen from her daughter and now is in prison. No Maya has not lived the life of a normal teenager. Which has always been her dream.
Living in a small town with her uncle, after her aunt dies, and her cousin goes off to college, Maya is making her way. Maya is trying to fit into school even though she already has her GED, working several part time jobs, plus trying to keep relationships strictly on a friendship basis. This is a story of a teenager who has pulled herself up by her bootstraps so to speak. Maya has turned her life over to God, she has worked hard to make friends and to be a witness to the lost friends she has, and to live a life pleasing to God.
This book is a great story, Maya, a “green” reporter, for the local news station and paper. Each chapter ends with a “green” hint from Maya. Definitely a book that will keep the interests of teenagers and adults alike. A reader's guide is included at the end of the book. 244 pages $12.99 US 4 stars.
This book was provided by Multnomah Publishing for review purposes only. No cash or payment of any kind was received for this review.
Living in a small town with her uncle, after her aunt dies, and her cousin goes off to college, Maya is making her way. Maya is trying to fit into school even though she already has her GED, working several part time jobs, plus trying to keep relationships strictly on a friendship basis. This is a story of a teenager who has pulled herself up by her bootstraps so to speak. Maya has turned her life over to God, she has worked hard to make friends and to be a witness to the lost friends she has, and to live a life pleasing to God.
This book is a great story, Maya, a “green” reporter, for the local news station and paper. Each chapter ends with a “green” hint from Maya. Definitely a book that will keep the interests of teenagers and adults alike. A reader's guide is included at the end of the book. 244 pages $12.99 US 4 stars.
This book was provided by Multnomah Publishing for review purposes only. No cash or payment of any kind was received for this review.
November 6, 2009
"What Matters Most" is the latest and last in Melody Carlson's Diary of a Teenage Girl series. It is book 16 I believe though the series follows four different girls and all of them show up in this book. I think the concept is great, we read the whole book through the eyes of Maya's diary which is actually kind of fun, with the exception that I don't know anyone that is THAT detailed when they write in their diary! I mean, goodness, she writes entire conversations down word for word :-) Maya is a great character - a smart girl with a rock star dad who is never around and an incarcerated mom who has never been a mother to her, she lives with her uncle and is in the process of trying to get emancipation when her mom is released from jail. She has boy issues, girl issues with the snotty cheerleader and the girls from youth group, lots of irons in the fire and now she is starting jam sessions with this Christian Girl Band, Redemption, that lost one of their members to college. Does she really want to be a rock star? Great premise... here is where it goes wrong...
I read the last chapter and look to see when the next book comes out to wrap up all the loose ends in this book... um, try never??? As great as this book is and the series is... I can't believe all the things that are left undone. I was left feeling unsatisfied. It would be a great book if there were another one following, as it is I enjoyed it, I just wish there was more to it.
I read the last chapter and look to see when the next book comes out to wrap up all the loose ends in this book... um, try never??? As great as this book is and the series is... I can't believe all the things that are left undone. I was left feeling unsatisfied. It would be a great book if there were another one following, as it is I enjoyed it, I just wish there was more to it.
November 5, 2009
What Matters Most by Melody Carlson is the third book in the Maya line and the final book in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Maya Stark is finally starting to have a normal life. She's started high school and is making friends, but her mother's release from jail threatens her peace of mind. And the possibility of touring with Christian girl rock group, Redemption makes normal life seem not so appealing. She'll have to make some major decisions for a sixteen-year old girl, as well as deal with the repercussions of previous books in the series. As someone unfamiliar with the DOATG series, I did feel a little lost when it came to juggling characters and backstories. But when focusing on Maya the story was appealing. This is a young woman who has been through an enormous amount in just a few short years and has a good head on her shoulders along with a strong faith. Her "green" tips seemed a bit unnecessary, and while her appearances on TV were referenced regarding them, she never actually seemed to actually do them. Carlson completely nails how teenage girls think and speak, and I am truly impressed by her ability to write believably in so many different voices!
December 29, 2009
Maya is trying to figure out what matters most in life. Should she graduate early? Date the boy she likes even though she knows it’s a bad idea? Join a rock band and go on the road? Then her mom shows up and threatens everything Maya has worked so hard for. How should a Christian act toward a parent like her mom? Should Maya let her mom ruin her life again? Should she stand up to her?
I really enjoyed this series. Maya is a neat character. She’s very independent and hard-working. She always tries to do the right thing, and when she fails and loses her temper, she eventually comes around and does the hard thing of apologizing. This book was really about how to love difficult people. My only wish, I would have liked to see more about how things respovel with Dominic. As with all Maya’s stories, each chapter ends with one of Maya’s Green Tip for the Day. I highly recommend this series for any teenage girl who loves to read. Maya is an awesome character to get to know.
I really enjoyed this series. Maya is a neat character. She’s very independent and hard-working. She always tries to do the right thing, and when she fails and loses her temper, she eventually comes around and does the hard thing of apologizing. This book was really about how to love difficult people. My only wish, I would have liked to see more about how things respovel with Dominic. As with all Maya’s stories, each chapter ends with one of Maya’s Green Tip for the Day. I highly recommend this series for any teenage girl who loves to read. Maya is an awesome character to get to know.
April 28, 2010
Like most sixteen year olds, Maya Stark has a life full of roller coaster emotions and drama.
Maya finds herself the victim of bullying at the hands of popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman, who is jealous because her boyfriend Wyatt is attracted to Maya. To counteract Vanessa’s “mean girl” behavior, Maya’s friends suggest that she start dating her ex-boyfriend Dominic, who she is still friends with.
Add to this emotionally exhausting mix a brain damaged hospitalized friend, a mother who’s in prison, Maya's emancipation, a budding music career with a Christian band and a deep yearning for normal – whatever that may be.
Because Maya is into recycling and green living, her “Green Tip For The Day” is interspersed throughout the book which I was thought was a unique addition.
A Readers Group Guide is also available in the back of the book, as well as information about the real Anna Gilbert whose song lyrics are used in the book.
January 8, 2010
This was a very good ending to a great series. I am so bummed that Melody Carlson won't be continuing the DOATG series, as it was what got me hooked on her in the first place.
It seemed to end rather abruptly, though. If I hadn't read this was the last, I wouldn't have thought it was.
It seemed to end rather abruptly, though. If I hadn't read this was the last, I wouldn't have thought it was.
June 14, 2011
This book was a great finish to Maya's story - it's open ended because that's real life but things to finally seem to be going her way =) I thought the green tips were better in Book 2 but still helpful. Also loved that the songs used were real songs that I listened to after finishing the book =)
February 13, 2013
I hated the ending. It absolutely sucked. Like, it's worse than the Catching Fire ending. No joke.
Okay, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic saying its worse than the one of the Hunger Games sequel, but it was pretty bad.
Okay, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic saying its worse than the one of the Hunger Games sequel, but it was pretty bad.
December 10, 2009
i loved this book! it is great for teenage girls, even ones who dont play instuments! its so inspiring!
March 9, 2010
Another book that I loved reading.
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March 22, 2010F CAR doatg bk.3
July 30, 2011
i am not surprised that maya plays the guitar. But i do want to see domonic and her get back together.
July 3, 2013
Like I have said before I like how God can change lives in all lifestyle's.
April 8, 2016
I really loved this book. It was a page turner. I think that Maya is such a great strong character and I could relate to her in some places.
June 19, 2013
this boook was ok i did not love it
July 12, 2013
This is one of my favorite books to read. I like this series, and I recommend everyone to read it!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews