Best Friends...Forever? Reading Guide: Session 10

Last time we read chapters 31-33. The previous sessions can be found here:
www.krystenlindsay.com/reading-guide.html

In chapter 31, Landry’s friends have different reactions to her getting to participate in the Wild Card webisode event. Write what you notice about their reactions. What do you think they are really feeling about Landry’s opportunity? Who seems happy for her?

          In chapter 32, we see Landry getting anxious over the competition. Have you ever felt sick because you were so anxious over something that scared you? Was there anything that made you feel better? Maybe there’s a certain song or album that helps you feel calmer or someone who you can talk to. Make a list of things that help when you feel anxious. Keep this list handy for when you need you.

          Landry gets her hair styled for the event, but the stylist doesn’t listen to her. Another stylist, Rylan, comes over to check on her. What does he do to help her? How is he different than the first stylist?

          Landry goes to get her makeup done next and this scene is straight out of what models go through. Take a moment to reread this section and write about how it makes you feel hearing the makeup artists talk about her features.   

          In chapter 33, the other contestants bring up the fact the supermodel, Talisa, has broken out on her chin. What do you think about their comments?

          There’s a lot about self-confidence and self-esteem when it comes to how you look in this section. Landry is definitely being impacted by this, but some of the adults handle how they talk about it better than others. Journal or talk about how that made you feel. Do you think it’s just people in the entertainment or fashion industry that feel this way or have you ever heard your friends or people you know talk this way?

Behind the scenes: I brought a lot of incidents I both witnessed and experienced when I was modeling into this series. People in the modeling industry do take apart people’s looks and go through looking for imperfections, etc. However, sometimes a model might have a unique look that works for them. Still, it can make anyone feel bad about themselves. I remember a girl making a comment about a well-known really beautiful model saying something about her skin was, “gross,” and I was in shock hearing someone get so negative about a tiny skin flaw. My first thought was, “She’ll think I’m gross too if that happens to me.”

      I also witnessed a lot of girls “shrink” as comments were made about their appearance. Some of the most physically beautiful models would focus on their flaws because that’s what the professionals brought up to them all the time. It used to make me sad that they focused on what they were told was wrong with them instead of focusing on their uniqueness.

     The hair cutting scene was something that happened to me when a stylist was told to give me a different look. I remember being in complete shock walking out of the place with this really short bob. She didn’t listen to me at all, but the Rylan character comes from an experience my sister had at a salon.

     My sister was uncomfortable because the main stylist was ignoring what she wanted done with her hair. I should add that this was the day before her first day of high school so she was very nervous about how she looked starting a new school because someone else had turned her hair orange and she was desperate to get it fixed before she started school! This guy who worked there could see she was upset and he came over and offered to help. I always remembered how he jumped in and saved the day. It was a small thing, but just the fact that he noticed she was upset, listened to her, and respect her feelings changed that whole experience for her. Not to mention he turned her hair from orange to brown again. I wanted to put this situation in the story to remind people that even small actions can make a big difference.

     Finish the book for next time!  

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