Books with author Jennifer Torres

Ashton Kutcher was born in a small farming town and ended up among the bright lights of Hollywood. The path he took to get there is one filled with challenge and uncertainty. Dealing with his twin brother’s illness, his parents’ divorce, and a move to a brand new town as a teenager left Ashton wondering what to do with his life. His plan to pursue a medical career was fueled by his desire to find a cure for his brother but his dreams of fame began to overtake him. First though, he’d have to grow up a little. His knack for getting into trouble had already cost him the lead in his high school play. But a chance win in a modeling contest started Ashton down another road and soon his face was a familiar site on fashion runways and magazine covers. A career as an actor was within his grasp. He just had to reach out and grab it.

Paris Hilton was born into the life of luxury, and right from the start she embraced life and everything it had to offer her. Growing up in a fancy hotel with maids, butlers and posh surroundings, Hilton wanted her own identity and she struggled to find it. Photographers began to notice the tall blonde with the piercing blue eyes who started showing up at all the best parties with her equally beautiful sister. Paris was eventually appearing in magazines everywhere. She was becoming a fashion icon. Modeling jobs soon followed, but Paris’s true desire was to be an actress. She was used to getting what she wanted and movie offers began coming in. Paris discovered that you can make your own destiny with a little hard work and a whole lot of dazzle.

Sometimes all it takes is one person who really believes in you. For Ashanti Douglas, that person was her mother Tina. It was her mothers strong faith in her daughters talent that led Ashanti Douglas down a hard and often frustrating road to finally find success as a singer. Coming from a family of talented performers, Ashanti was always comfortable in the spotlight. Her parents often found her singing and dancing around the house and one day her mother realized Ashanti had a real talent. With the support of her driven mother, Ashanti made the decision to try and make the big time. But several set backs almost made the young entertainer give up her dream forever. But Ashanti wasnt raised to be a quitter. Now with three albums under her belt and a slew of music awards, Ashanti is thankful her family taught her never to give up on her dreams.

Going to school has always had its challenges, but going to school knowing you're going to be bullied puts a whole different perspective on life. Into the Tunnel and Through the Woods is, in part, a true story of an 8-1/2 year old girl named Lilly who has been bullied since the first day of kindergarten, almost four years ago. She has always struggled to fit in, but her size and young looks has kept her from feeling as if she really belonged. To add to that, Lilly learns from her parents that she was adopted as a baby. Lilly struggles with her own identity and is filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and questions trying to make sense of why her birth mom would give her up for adoption. All that changes when she meets Mary, a foster child who has run off from the orphanage, and her guardian angel. Just when Lilly thinks her life is about to take a turn for the better, she finds herself alone and fighting for her life. Her clubmates, however, are forced to take a good look at themselves, but are given the opportunity to make amends.

Going to school has always had its challenges, but going to school knowing you're going to be bullied puts a whole different perspective on life. Into the Tunnel and Through the Woods is, in part, a true story of an 8-1/2 year old girl named Lilly who has been bullied since the first day of kindergarten, almost four years ago. She has always struggled to fit in, but her size and young looks has kept her from feeling as if she really belonged. To add to that, Lilly learns from her parents that she was adopted as a baby. Lilly struggles with her own identity and is filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and questions trying to make sense of why her birth mom would give her up for adoption. All that changes when she meets Mary, a foster child who has run off from the orphanage, and her guardian angel. Just when Lilly thinks her life is about to take a turn for the better, she finds herself alone and fighting for her life. Her clubmates, however, are forced to take a good look at themselves, but are given the opportunity to make amends.

Thousands of people live in the subway, railroad, and sewage tunnels that form the bowels of New York City and this book is about them, the so-called mole people. They live alone and in communities, in subway tunnels and below subway platforms and this fascinating study presents how and why people move underground, who they are, and what they have to say about their lives and the “topside” world they’ve left behind.

A moving coming-of-age novel about one girl's struggles after her parents lose their home, and her journey to find hope in family and friendship, from Jennifer Torres, the author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen. Griselda "Geez" Zaragoza has a love for beautiful things, like her collection of vintage teacups and the flower garden she and her dad planted in the front yard. But when his business fails, Griselda loses not just her home, but also her confidence and her trust in her unflappable parents. Tagging along with big sister Maribel, who postponed college for a job selling Alma Cosmetics, Geez dreams up a way to reclaim the life she thinks she lost. If she can sell enough tubes of glistening, glittery Alma lip gloss, she'll win a cash prize that could help jump start her dad's business. With ups and downs along the way, Geez will discover that beauty isn't just lost or found, but made and re-made.