Diane Roberts the Book Made

¶ … Diane Roberts The book Made You Look by Diane Roberts tells the story of Jason, a 6th grade boy who is obsessed with a television game show called "Masquerade Mania." When Jason learns that his parents have decided to take him to Los Angeles for summer vacation, Jason is determined to get on the show as a contestant. "Masquerade Mania" is filmed in L.A., so Jason thinks that he is the luckiest boy in the world.

Jason needs his luck to change, since he is being bullied at school by the book's villain, Amby Anderson. Although Jason faces a great obstacle in the form of Amby, Jason is still very confident about his abilities. He has a good friend, Freddie, who is loyal. Jason and Freddie are sure Jason can win the grand prize if he can get on "Masquerade Mania." Jason is sure he will win something great like an Xbox and free video games to play for an entire year.

Jason enjoys watching the show with his parents as well as Freddie, because even they love seeing kids get the chance to win exciting prizes. Kids have to act like fools when they land on the wrong 'square' by wearing silly costumes or jumping into vats of Jell-O. Jason's father is already in Los Angeles, and Jason dreams of flying for the first time in his life to get to his destination, just like all of his other friends.

But then the reader is introduced to the first conflict -- Jason finds out the terrible truth: he has to drive across the country, from Texas to California instead! Nothing could be worse for a boy, because Jason has to drive with his mother and hated sisters. The rest of the Percy family drives across the country in Jason's aunt and uncle's camp'ote (camper) with Jason's friend Freddie in tow.

Jason's mother allows Jason's best friend Freddie to come along because even she starts to feel a little bad about making Jason spend so much time with his sisters in such close quarters. Jason needs Freddie to help him prepare for his plan to get on "Masquerade Mania." Jason's father told him that everyone in the family will get a chance to pick their favorite places to go in California, and the place where "Masquerade Mania" is shot is at the top of Jason's list.

Jason is certain that because he has watched the show so many times, he can win, and win big, and this will make him popular next year in school. As they drive, Freddie calls himself Jason's 'coach' who will help him win "Masquerade Mania." Freddie has to coach Jason on the different questions Jason is likely to be asked by the show's hosts. This is good because Jason needs the distraction.

Not only was Jason crushed when he learned he wasn't going to get a chance to ride in an airplane, but the camper is supposed to be bad luck for anyone who drives in it -- for example, the last time the first owners of the RV used the 'Death Camper' Jason's uncle got bit by a snake! Jason thinks the camper (which looks like a giant sardine) is bad luck for him because it means he has to travel and play his mother's silly 'road games' which involve guessing strange facts about the states they drive.