Always Upbeat / All That

We all know their are 2 sides to every story, we just don't usually find them in a book. Stephanie Perry Moore has created an innovative series that does just that. The Lockwood Lions Series is an African-American, Christian, Young Adult series of literature in a "flip" book format--the story told from 2 points of view. One side tells the girl's stories in the Cheer Drama part of the story, flip the book over and read the boy's point of view, in the Baller Swag. Together, the Cheer Drama and Baller Swag, tell the story of high school couples through the eyes of the cheerleading squad and the varsity football team. The Baller Swag part of each book is co-authored by former NFL player, now Georgia Tech Chaplain and author's husband, Derrick Moore--bringing in a true male perspective, as well as great insight to the football aspect of each story.

The books in the Lockwood Lions Series are (Cheer Drama/ Baller Swag):

Always Upbeat/ All That

Keep Jumping/ No Hating

Yell Out/ Do You

Settle Down/ Be Real

Shake It/ Got Pride

The Lockwood Lions Series features multiple ethnicities--black, white, bi-racial. The author does not shy away from the tough issues teens face, including date rape, gangs, gay parenting, paternity and cancer, she embraces strong moral values and behaviors and enables teens to see solutions and answers to some of life's most difficult issues. 

I was given the opportunity to read the first book in the series--Always Upbeat/ All That (Saddleback Educational Publishing, 2012). This book feature Charli Black, cheer captain who seems to have it all, but everything isn't always what it seems and Blake Strong, star quarterback with great potential on the field and beyond, who doesn't have it as easy as everyone thinks and has lots to learn about life. I found the books easy to read, with great life lessons for teens, I really liked that both sides of the story were portrayed in each book. 

Thank you to Smith Publicly for my sample used in this review, opinions are honest.  Review by Michelle.

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