Operation Josh Taylor: Hannah Smart

by Melody Fitzpatrick

Overview

To see teen idol Josh Taylor in concert, Hannah Smart is prepared to face bullies, learn terrible secrets, and discover hidden talents.

When thirteen-year-old Hannah Smart finds out that teen idol Josh Taylor (only the most talented singer in the entire world) is coming to her hometown to kick off his first-ever concert tour, she nearly goes into shock. Even more shocking is the fact that her parents one-hundred-percent refuse to buy her a ticket — if Hannah wants to go, she has to figure out a way on her own.

With the help of her genius best friend, Rachel, Hannah hatches a scheme that will surely get the girls to the concert. But when evil Scarlett Hastings sticks her nasty nose in, messing up their plan, all hope seems lost.

Will Hannah and Rachel ever get to the concert? And will Hannah even want to go when she discovers the horrible secret her parents have been hiding?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459731363
Publisher:	Dundurn Press
Publication date:	10/03/2015
Series:	Hannah Smart , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Melody Fitzpatrick writes outrageously funny and empowering books for children. When she’s not busy dreaming up stories, she is an Educational Program Assistant in the public school system, helping kids discover their amazing inner awesomeness. Melody lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

Melody Fitzpatrick is the author of the Hannah Smart series. When she’s not busy dreaming up stories, she is an educational program assistant in the public school system, helping kids discover their amazing inner awesomeness. Melody lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

“Hey all you Josh Taylor fans out there, listen up!” the radio announcer’s voice blares, “It’s official! Josh Taylor is finally going on tour and he’s heading our way. He’s going coast to coast and he’s kicking it off right here in Glen Haven on New Year’s Eve!”
O-M-G, did I hear that right? Is this true? Am I dreaming?
“That’s right fans, mark that date, because on December 31st Josh Taylor is making our very own Glen Haven, Vermont, the first stop on his cross-country tour!”
Holy crap, I’m not dreaming!
Okay, so right off the bat, I have to explain a few things:
• Number one: I love Josh Taylor. I mean really love him.
• Number two: I just realized that my ultimate dream is about to come true. I’m finally going to see him... Josh Taylor! We’ll be in the same room, well actually a stadium, but who cares! We’ll be literally breathing the same air!
• Number three: I must get a ticket ASAP!
• Number four: My legs have suddenly turned to Jell-O. I really have to sit down.
“Mom…did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” she asks, whisking away at something in her bowl.
“Josh Taylor! He’s coming to Glen Haven! Can you believe it?”
“No, I can’t believe it,” she throws in some salt.
Unbelievable! I’ve just told her the most exciting news- ever and she can’t even bother to look up. I mean we’re talking about Josh Taylor here! It’s obvious that she doesn’t appreciate the extreme importance of this information. I mean imagine if the person you spent all your time dreaming of was coming to your town. Just think about it!
“Who did you say is coming?” she asks.
“Mom… Josh Taylor!” I tell her again.
“Oh, Josh Taylor,” she raises an eyebrow.
“Yes Mom, Josh Taylor. He’s only the most talented singer in the entire world!”
“So I’ve heard,” she says, rolling her eyes. “When is he coming?”
“New Year’s Eve!” I scream.
“So, I’m guessing you’ll want to go to the concert then?” she says.
“You’re guessing I want to go to the concert?” I look at her in disbelief. “Duh!” I suddenly feel the sting of my hand flying against my mouth, clamping it shut before I can blurt out any other choice words.
So, let me explain. In my family, apparently, saying the word duh to someone is as bad as calling them a complete idiot, even though in my opinion, it’s not even close. I found this out last week when I used the word duh a few too many times, and my mother, who takes things way too seriously, informed me that if that word passes my lips one more time there would be consequences.
“Well then Hannah, I guess you’ll have to start saving your money.”
What? Excuse me?
She’s showing no expression so I can’t figure out if she’s actually serious. So, I stare at her, waiting for her to crack. She’s really not bad looking as far as moms go. I imagine this is what I am going to look like when I get to be her age because when you look at pictures of my mom at thirteen, she looks exactly like me- average height, average weight, ivory skin, high cheekbones, dark brown eyes, and long dark brown hair.
After a minute or so of staring at her, I come to the obvious conclusion that there is no way she can be serious. Of course she’s not. She didn’t like the “duh” comment, and now she’s trying to scare me. What a relief. I guess I’d better play along.
“I know, I know, I know,” I sigh, “I shouldn’t have said that word, you know… the ‘d-word’.” I hop up on the counter beside where she’s working. “I’m really, really sorry and I guess I’ll have to accept the consequences…” I let head fall to my chest, adding a heavy sigh for effect. I love reverse psychology! It always, always works!
Hmmmm…Something’s not right. She isn’t saying anything and now she’s frowning.
“Mom, you can’t really be serious?” I say, shaking my head. “Save my money? What money?”
“The money you will need to buy your ticket Hannah. Concerts are expensive, and we’ve been spending a lot on you lately.”
What? This is crazy! This cannot be happening.
“Mom! I’m sorry I called you an idiot!”
“What?”
“I mean I’m sorry I said duh. I promise I’ll never, ever say it again…ever!”
So, in case you haven’t noticed, I am really starting to panic now. She is definitely serious!
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Hannah, stop being so dramatic. It’s not about that.”
“Then what? What’s this about?” I cry.
“Just like I said, we’ve been spending a lot on you lately. You really need to learn the value of money. It doesn’t grow on trees you know.”
I feel like saying, Duh, what do you think, I’m a moron? Obviously, I know money doesn’t grow on trees! Still, how can she expect me to come up with enough money to buy my own ticket? They’re expensive you know, and I’m only thirteen, technically still a child. I mean really, what does she expect?
For the record, I don’t understand where this is coming from. They haven’t been spending that much money on me, and most of the stuff they bought me, I really needed. Like my new skateboard, they only bought it for me because my old one broke, and the helmet came with it, so it was free. They also bought me some Chuck Taylors, but only because my feet are growing and I needed sneakers. And really, how can I help it that I’m growing? I can’t just look down at my feet and yell stop it! Kids grow… Parents just have to deal!
Maybe she’s talking about the books from Chapters. Well if she is, I don’t think that’s fair. Books are educational, and in my opinion, anything educational shouldn’t count, should it? Even if one of them is called A Teenager’s Guide to Perfect Make-up, it’s still a book. Right? Right! Scratch the books; they totally don’t count!
So that’s it really…

• A skateboard and helmet (which, now that I think about it, should actually fall under the category of ‘sporting equipment’, which has to do with exercise, which everyone knows is an important factor in leading an active and healthy lifestyle)
• Sneakers (more sporting equipment)
• Books that don’t even count!
So that’s the list! I can’t think of another thing… Well, unless she’s counting the four movies I went to this month. That’s only one per week, and really, I’m thinking about studying acting when I go to university someday, so I should probably go to as many movies as I can, you know, for educational purposes.
Hmmm… she wouldn’t be talking about my new iPod, would she? She totally shouldn’t be. I mean, it was a back to school present and it was on sale! Maybe Dad told her about the new Josh Taylor album. He gave me his credit card number last week so I could download it off iTunes. Naw, I don’t think she knows; she would have said something.
Right, so if I don’t count…
• the skateboard
• the helmet
• the Chuck Taylors
• the books
• the movies
• the iPod
• and the Josh Taylor album…
Who am I kidding? I know my mom, and she’s totally counting all of it, all the stuff she knows about anyway. Crap!
“So, you’re totally serious then?” I say, shaking my head.
“I am.”
“So can I ask Nan and Pops?”
“Seriously Hannah! This is not up for debate or discussion, begging won’t help and you are not allowed to pull the poor old me act with your grandparents.”
“I think I need a plan,” I sigh.
“I think you do,” she nods.

Editorial Reviews

In her bright and breezy middle-grade novel, Melody Fitzpatrick captures all the drama and angst of middle school life as Hannah catapults through the full spectrum of emotions

Canadian Children's Book News

Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don’t always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart.

Booklist

Teachers and librarians could also use Operation Josh Taylor to introduce readers to other books about strong girls and loyal friendships such as Rebecca Steads’ When You Reach me, Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwicks novels, or any number of novels by Judy Blume, Karen Cushman, Paula Danzinger, Kate DiCamillo, Lois Lowry, or Katherine Paterson.

Resource Links

This sweet story about friendship and growing up never lapses into heavy-handed moralizing. An engaging, fun read, sure to please many teens.

Canadian Children’s Book News

The story is able to provide life-lessons about friendship, resourcefulness and responsibility.

Canadian Materials magazine

A delightful plot-driven tale of perseverance that explores themes of bullying, friendship, persistence, and creative problem solving.

Quill & Quire

In her bright and breezy middle-grade novel, Melody Fitzpatrick captures all the drama and angst of middle school life as Hannah catapults through the full spectrum of emotions

Canadian Children’s Book News

Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don’t always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart.

Booklist

Hannah is full of 13-year-old-girl energy; her plans, despite good intentions, don’t always turn out as she imagines, but there is no questioning her heart.

Booklist.com

2015-07-27
When 13-year-old Hannah Smart's parents refuse to buy her concert tickets to see her pinup idol, superstar singer Josh Taylor, she and her genius best friend, Rachel Carter, must come up with a way to earn the money themselves. This story, the first of a trilogy about Hannah, has a strong comic premise, but it's not as developed as it might be. The road to riches and concert tickets is bumpier than the girls imagine, though many of their obstacles have an arbitrary or manufactured feel. Initially, their goal is hampered by a lack of business opportunities, and later they are thwarted at every turn by a mean-girl classmate, who, for reasons that never become completely clear, lives to throw hurdles in Hannah's way. Hannah, who narrates the story, has a big, brash personality that leans toward self-centeredness, though the love she feels for Rachel shines through. The girls, who turn out to have an entrepreneurial flair, do manage to bat away the majority of their obstacles, though the story abruptly changes course when Hannah finds out she must move to Maine with her family. Hampered by generic characterizations, this amusingly voiced but not-quite-funny comedy of errors is enjoyable but fails to dazzle. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews