You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle

The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There’d be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star. Now sixteen, Justine doesn’t feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film "Five at Sixteen," all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, just feels like a disappointment. But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what’s on film. They’ve all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else’s eyes. ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><<><<<<<><<><<>>><<>>><< 5/5 running shoes I seriously loved this book from start to finish. The characters develop right in front of you, so that was fun to see. This is told in the perspective of Justine, one of the five that have been chosen all the way back when they were six to do a documentary every 5 years until they were 21. In the beginning, Justine was doubting herself. She didn't think they were going to do another movie and when she does, she is caught off guard. She thinks that she could have lost more weight, or did this or yadda and she thinks that everyone will be disappointed in how she is now. After reading a web site about the documentaries and she sees the comments they made about her, she is worried that she won't be able to be what they want. In the website, they say that she probably joined a band, did this and she feels as if she isn't as funny now as she way back when she was eleven and six. The book is mainly about Justine finding her purpose and Kiera finding her mother along with Diego, Nate, and Rory. While at a "retreat" at a cabin set up by film makers Leslie and Lance to get more interesting film material, Kiera, after getting information about her mother, who left when she was eleven, steals Leslie's car, phone, and wallet during the night to find her. Justine, Nate, Diego, and Rory then set off the find her along with Leslie's camera. During the journey to find her, Justine videotapes everything, and she tells their story rather than Leslie and Lance. I liked how broken relationships were repaired , especially Rory and Justine's relationship. I also liked how Jennifer Castle somewhat accurately showed how Rory acted with her autism. All the feelings in the book, although sometimes jagged, felt real, and that made the book even easier to read and funner. Kiera's reunion with her mom was sweet yet sad, but perfect. Really, everything was perfect In this book. Nate and Justine's relationship was really sweet and un cheesy, which I appreciated. It was nice to have a steady dose of realism in a world filled with make believe!