Violet Raines Almost Got Struck By Lightning

Violet Raines Almost Got Struck By Lightning
By Danette Haworth

“The Hook”
“ Spunky, headstrong Violet Raines isn’t afraid of much, she’s lived in the Florida town of Mitchell Hammock all her life and things are just the way she likes them. That is until Melissa arrives from big city Detroit and joins Violet’s school and church. ‘She seems really cool, we should invite her to hang out sometime.’ Lottie, Violet’s best friend told her after church one night. ‘I don’t know, she looks kinda show-offy’. Violet argued. ‘Well, I’m gonna go introduce myself.’ said Lottie as she made her way over to the crowd of people swarming around Melissa and her family like they were celebrities. She came back and grabbed Violet’s arm. ‘Come on, I’m sure she’s really nice. ‘she urged and pulled Violet forward. The two of them made their way through the crowd and approached Melissa. ‘Hi, I’m Lottie I heard you were new here.’ Lottie said in that goody-two-shoes-first-impression kind of voice. ‘Yeah hi.’ Violet murmured still trying to escape from Lottie’s tight grip. Melissa smiled and Violet could already tell that the two of them were not gonna get along. She was wearing a shimmery pink dress with a white jean jacket and her face was flushed with makeup. Her long, blonde, windswept hair was gently pulled back in a loose ponytail. ‘I’m Melissa. she told them. ‘My family and I just moved here from Detroit. Lottie nodded. ‘Oh, I thought you got dressed in big city Hollywood.’ Violet joked, in a way that sounded meaner than it was supposed to. What she had said could’ve been taken as either an insult or a joke. Melissa didn’t find it too funny. She gave Violet a mean look and turned to Lottie. ‘I’ll catch you later Lottie.’ She said and headed toward the door. She turned around. ‘Nice meeting you… she waited. ‘Violet Raines.’ said Violet as politely as she could be at this point. Lottie nudged Violet. She took the hint and extended her hand. Melissa pretended not to see it and ignored her. ‘See you later.’ She said turning around. There was something about the way Melissa had looked at Violet that made her wonder if she was a little tough on the new girl. But she was joking. And it wasn’t that she was mean or anything, it was just the way she always was. And something about that gave Violet the urge to stay away from Melissa. She was nothing but trouble.”[Pages 31-34]

Recommendation
Have you ever had a really special friend, whether you’ve known them since preschool or you just met them yesterday, has there ever been that friend that you want all to yourself? Well, Violet definitely has. She has known Lottie since the third grade and is planning for her and Lottie to be friends forever. That is until big city girl Melissa moves to town and starts to steal Lottie away. Violet knows she likes things just the way they are and she has always been determined to live her life without any “big changes” but not only does Melissa steal Lottie away, she also begins to change her personality! Violet liked Lottie as the unique, fun loving, down to earth kind of friend. But Melissa turns Lottie into a girl who only cares about makeup, clothes, and magazines. Violet is determined to get Lottie back as a friend, but when Melissa starts threatening Violet behind Lottie’s back, Violet thinks she can prove everything. But when a disaster occurs which strikes Lottie’s house by lightning, Melissa and her family offer Lottie to come live with them. Will Violet be able to prove to Lottie that Melissa is not a true friend? Read this book to find out!!