Sunday, January 13, 2013

Reel Life Starring Us by Lisa Greenwald -- ADVISABLE

Greenwald, Lisa Reel Life Starring Us 304 pgs. Amulet Books, 2011. $16.95. (Violence: PG, Sexual Content: PG, Language: PG)

Artsy Dina Gross used to be one of the most popular girls in her school, but that was before she moved to a new town, where quirkiness is not appreciated. Now she finds that she doesn't fit in at all. But when she is assigned to do a project with popular girl Chelsea Stern, Dina sees her chance to be back on top of the social heap. What she doesn't know is that Chelsea's once-perfect life is crumbling, and it's about to take Chelsea with it.

Told from alternating perspectives, this is a fun, quick story of two very different girls coming to terms with who they are and learning to become friends. While some of the lessons on popularity and self-acceptance are a bit heavy-handed, and the characters often sound much older than thirteen, Reel Life Starring Us should resonate with many middle school girls who are, themselves, learning who they are and where they fit in socially.

HS--ADVISABLE. Reviewed by: Caryn

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