The Paris Project

The Paris Project is about Cleveland Rosebud Potts wanting to escape to Paris. She has a six-step plan to become cultured enough to go to the American School of Paris and escape her suffocating small-town life in Sassafras Florida. The six phases are: (1) Take ballet lessons, (2) learn to cook one French dish and eat at a French restaurant, (3) see French works of art, (4) continue learning the French language, (5) apply to the American School of Paris, and last but not least, (6) escape to France. One reason she needs to escape is because of her dad. He was sent to prison for a few months because he had stolen money from his boss at work to feed his gambling habit, in addition, he stole all Cleveland’s cash that she was saving for Paris. Cleveland thinks she’s going to have a hard time trusting her dad again after his release.; however, she continues with her Paris project. She fails at ballet—the first item—but she practices more, her former best friend Jenna and the narrow-minded town pulling her down.

I really enjoyed this book and read it quite fast. I loved that it dealt with things like her dad being in jail and toxic friendships, like the one with Jenna. I liked Cleveland’s personality; she’s very determined to do what she loves, is extremely loyal to her friends, and will stand up for them. In short, she’s a very powerful character because she’s had to go through her dad’s issues, her sister leaving, and her family struggling a little bit with finances, yet she still survives and doesn’t let the narrow-minded small town get to her in the end.

I would recommend this book for kids 8 and up and for anyone who likes Paris, culture, and a fresh take on a middle school novel.