A Mother's Gift

by Britney Spears, Lynne Spears

Overview

Holly Faye Lovell sure can sing. Everyone in Biscay, Mississippi, knows that. And when at fourteen she becomes the youngest student ever to win a scholarship to the prestigious Haverty School of Music, her dream of pursuing a singing career is on its way. But for the first time in her life, Holly must leave behind her mother, Wanda. Although they don’t have much in the way of money, there’s always been plenty of love...and there’s always been Wanda’s birthmark, an ugly red scar on the side of her face that makes people who don’t know her turn away. Now that Holly's off with her posh new friends and new life, she’s ashamed to find herself embarrassed by her mom and their humble background. And Wanda finds herself wanting to reveal a long-hidden secret...a secret that could destroy their bond forever.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will go to The Britney Spears Foundation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385729536
Publisher:	Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/10/2001
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.37(w) x 7.85(h) x 0.86(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Besides being an author, Britney is that rare phenomenon, a megastar-one who still phones her mom every night, no matter where she is. Not only is Britney the bestselling female artist during any one-week period in music history, but her debut album, . . . Baby One More Time, made her the youngest artist to hit the 10-million mark. Her second album, Oops! . . . I Did It Again, sold more than 1.3 million copies in its first week and to date has sold more than 17 million CDs worldwide.
Besides being the mother of the planet's biggest superstar, Lynne taught school in Kentwood, Louisiana, for several years before taking time off to be her daughter's biggest fan. She and her husband, Jamie, are the parents of Bryan, Britney, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
This is Britney and Lynne's first-but definitely not their last-work of fiction together.
From the Hardcover edition.

Read an Excerpt

After 15 long, tense minutes, they finally rounded the school's curved driveway and stopped in front of the big doors. The car's engine was smoking as Wanda shifted into park.

Holly pulled her things from the backseat faster than a skycap hustling for a tip at a crowded airport. It seemed that everyone around her had fancy luggage with wheels and handles that pulled out and snapped back into place. There were duffel bags in bright colors and plastic crates filled with computers and stereo equipment.

Suddenly, the car quit idling. Its engine stalled. Smoke poured from under the hood.

Someone behind them in the line of cars yelled, "Move that clunker out of the way!"

"I'll just raise the hood," Wanda said quickly, flipping up the latch. A couple of guys standing near the curb laughed as she began to cough.

"Mom!" Holly said through her teeth, wondering if she really could die on the spot. "Are you trying to totally humiliate me?"

This was definitely not the way Holly wanted to make her entrance. Every second that passed left her -- and the smoking car -- open to public viewing. And mockery.

Holly wanted nothing more than to kiss Wanda good-bye and get her out of there. "Didn't we pass a gas station on the way in?" she tried innocently, pushing her hair behind her ears.

"I'm not sure, Holly Faye. And I'm not sure I'd make it there --"

"You would." Holly felt desperate.

"But don't you want me to come in? Help you get settled?"

"I'll be all right." Holly leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her mother's good cheek.

"I -- I'd better go." She jerked her head toward the school. "Don't want to miss the orientation meeting, right? See you at Thanksgiving."

Before Wanda could protest, Holly fled to the safety of the double doors.

"Bye!" her mama called out faintly, unable to mask the hurt in her voice.

But Holly was already inside the building.

Fourteen years of togetherness were over in a few embarrassed seconds.

Editorial Reviews

Megastar Britney Spears joins forces with her mom to bring readers this touching fictional story of stardom, family, and secrets. Holly Faye is an aspiring musician who suddenly hits it big with a scholarship to a renowned music school. When her career takes flight, she is forced to come to terms with the life and the mom she has left behind. A stirring novel about the special bond between one mother and daughter, A Mother's Gift is a must-have for Britney fans worldwide -- and it will touch the hearts of readers everywhere!

bn.com

Pop fiction takes on a new meaning as teen singing sensation Spears and her mother, Lynne, produce a slight and treacly co-written rags-to-riches tale. Holly Faye Lovell lives with her mother, Wanda, in tiny Biscay, Miss. The 14-year-old enjoys life in the slow lane and entertains dreams of singing stardom. Though she performs in the church choir and at local events, Holly lacks the self-confidence (and opportunity) to develop her talent. All that changes when her loyal, car-mechanic boyfriend helps secure her an audition at the prestigious Haverty School of Music in Hattiesburg and she is offered a full scholarship. But at Haverty, Holly's provincial ways (and wardrobe, hand-stitched by her mom) make her a target for a bevy of wealthy snobs ("students whose parents had the big bucks to afford it. Holly and Wanda had little bucks"). The didactic melodrama unfolds in fast-paced, if sometimes jerky, prose, and a good share of it centers on Wanda (who keeps a diary). In the climax, the woman reveals a long-held secret to Holly, hinted at in the opening chapter. The Spearses convey credible feelings of teenage anxiety throughout, and Britney's fans will surely flock to this title (enticed by a jacket that highlights her name and suggests her likeness). But ultimately, they will be disappointed that the fictional Holly begs comparison with, but is far less memorable than, the real navel-baring singer. Ages 9-12. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A 14-year old in tiny Biscay, Miss., enjoys life in the slow lane and entertains dreams of singing stardom as she is accepted to a prestigious music school. Ages 10-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly