8 Notes to a Nobody (Bird Face) Paperback – September 1, 2015

What a wonderful story. I loved Wendy Robichaud and so connected with the geeky, shy misfit. She was me at that age. 8 Notes to a Nobody is the story of shy Wendy Robichaud, but it is so much more. Wendy has hit the time of life when the things of childhood must be put aside and she has to learn to live and learn in the adult world. At first Wendy is convinced she's the only one who feels the way she does - as do we all from time to time - but then she discovers there are others her age who try to deal with their insecurities in destructive ways. I love the decisions Wendy made as the book moved on. The note-giver totally fooled me!Cynthia brings humor and realism together in an effortless way. This book was fun.I recommend 8 Notes to a Nobody to all teeenage girls and their parents. Well done, Cynthia, thank you for letting us into Wendy's world.

This is a stellar debut novel with a captivating voice by a talented writer. The main character, Wendy, is realistic and sympathetically portrayed, so much so that the book drew me in and transported me back in time to the end of eighth grade with all those up-and-down emotions, from joy to angst. The author holds nothing back in dealing with the serious problems affecting today's youth: anorexia, depression, divorce, alcoholism, and suicide, yet all are portrayed in a sensitive, caring manner, and the main character grows in wonderful and sometimes unexpected ways. Highly recommended for ages 13 and up!

This book doesn't deal with vampires, the occult, or any of the other usual subjects. It does delve into the soul of a shy but talented eighth-grader who's trying to find her place in her family, her community and the cliques in her school. As she discovers more about who she is and how to be a friend to those around her, she sees others' vulnerabilities. Author Cynthia Toney nails the voice of the fourteen-year-old protagonist.Recommended for middle-schoolers and teens--but this book carries messages for the adult reader as well.

8 NOTES TO A NOBODY is a compelling page-turner with heart. I finished it within a few days because of the way the writing and characters drew me into the story.Wendy is a likable protagonist and becomes very "real" to readers through her individual quirks and strong narrative voice. I loved spending time with her and could relate to her lack of interest in following the "cool" crowd. Her friendship with a long-time friend brought with it a certain nostalgia, but also the bittersweet feeling that all of us feel with the passage of time.Toney's writing style is a wonderful combination of clever turn-of-phrase and unique imagery. Her metaphors truly painted a picture in my mind and often were humorous, as well. It suited the story, as the writing style paralleled the personality of the main character.While 8 NOTES is a work of contemporary realistic YA, I enjoyed the elements of mystery within, which added a sense of intrigue to the storyline. I could not wait to find out who was giving Wendy the notes, and found myself engaging in speculation as to his/her identity. While I will avoid spoiling the ending, I thought that it was a fitting resolution. I also enjoyed the sprinkling of romance and look forward to the inevitable development of a certain relationship in the next book.However, more than anything else, what I found to be especially important about the novel was its theme of self-image. So many teenage girls and young adults are insecure about their appearance. They need to know that they are beautiful in their own way and that the popular, "cool" image of how you should look should not be used as a measure for their own appearance. This is the book for any girl who has ever felt insecure about her looks, whether to a mild degree or taken to a more extreme level. When reading, I also found myself reflecting on the idea that a "cool" girl with the perfect image according to society may, deep down, be very insecure. She reaches for what society wishes her to be, yet loses herself in the process. As a result of that insecurity, she may react in a negative way to those who reject society's norms. I don't think I have ever seen that concept played out to this extent in a novel before, and believe that Toney has hit on a truth that many teens and even adults need to remember.I look forward to the next volume in this series!

8 Notes to a Nobody is a powerful, honest, and refreshingly clean story about what teens struggle with today. Ms. Toney is an excellent writer, she does not intrude within the writing. It's Wendy's voice all the way. Wendy is so real, I felt each emotion she experienced: sorrow, jealousy, shame, self-doubt, worthless feelings, and anger. Ms. Toney had me laughing, sad, and teary-eyed throughout the story. Great job, Cynthia Toney. I'm reading the next book in The Bird Face series book 2, 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status.

Junior High (Middle School) is never as we'd imagined it would be while we were in the sixth grade. In this delightful story, the author nails so many emotions experienced by young teens and delves into real and serious issues so many teens face--and have for decades. The contemporary setting, the first-person point of view, and the entertaining and delicate writing makes this a must read for teens, not to mention those of us adults who will recall these same emotions from ages ago. Great book!

8 Notes to a Nobody is a fun book to read, with thoughtful points to ponder. It helps young people understand that all of us have issues - even those of us who are attractive and popular. The characters are believable and we care about them, the story moves along and keeps you reading. There are some strong insights, well worded, and some funny moments. Highly recommended.