Falling Star - by Michele Kwasniewski (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Minutes before her scheduled performance at the party for her third album, sixteen-year-old pop sensation Dani Truehart regains consciousness amid the smoking wreckage of a car accident, the crumbled body of a cyclist splayed on the ground. Moments after the accident, Dani's manager, Jenner Redman, reaches the scene and his impulsive decision sets in motion a chain of events that will have catastrophic consequences for everyone in the starlet's orbit.

Later, when scandal threatens to destroy the dazzling career of the world's most beloved pop star, Dani must choose between accepting responsibility for her disastrous choices, possibly destroying her fame and fortune, or sacrificing those who made her famous and everyone she loves to preserve the stardom she has spent her entire life working to achieve.

Review Quotes

"Michele Kwasniewski brings to life the glamour and pressure of being a star" -- George Brown, musician, songwriter, producer, and author of TOO HOT! KOOL & THE GANG & ME

"Pop sensation Dani Truehart's star is dimmed after a life-changing event jeopardizes her career and relationships with the few people she can still trust. FALLING STAR gives an honest portrayal of the sacrifices made for life in the spotlight - and what one must do to stay there. Your heart will break, but you'll also root for Dani as she picks up the pieces of her shattered life and aspires to even greater heights. A 5-star read." -- Nicole Gabor, award-winning author of CATWALK

Falling Star is the third book in the Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series, and opens with a powerful scenario in its prologue that claims the narrator has "just made the biggest mistake of my life" before a terrible accident. Dani then awakens to the impact her talent manager has on her life as he and his creepy assistant Carlton force her to add fuel to the fire of her tragedy by involving her in a cover-up. Dani is no ordinary girl. She's a pop star whose talents have propelled her to the top, but she's not immune to making poor choices, or the influences of those around her who are determined to preserve her fame and fortune.

As Dani faces the impact of her decisions, she falls prey to the notion that her career is worth any sacrifice. Even another life. The lure of her abilities and their ongoing appeal and strength cannot be denied under any circumstances: "In spite of everything going on in my life offstage, my performance is sheer perfection! It wipes away any misgivings I've had about the choices I've made over the past few days. I am meant to be on this stage and give my fans what they want. Whatever it takes to keep me here is what needs to happen." Or, can they?

As Dani faces violations on many levels and comes to realize her own strength and choices in handling those around her, she struts on a different stage of empowerment and comes to acknowledge the moral and ethical sacrifices involved in reaching for the stars. Michele Kwasniewski crafts a powerful voice in following Dani's rise and fall and her blossoming self-awareness.

Dani's moving story comes to life for prior fans and newcomers to the series, offering many touching moments of self-inspection and life processes that can serve as discussion points for teen reading groups. Painted with the lure of music, romance, and women's issues, Falling Star is a powerful story highly recommended for any library strong in teen fiction, and for young adults attracted to stories of growth and self-realization. -- Midwest Book Review