Plot Summary: Jane and Scarlett have always been friends. After graduating high school in Santa Barbara, CA the two besties move to LA together. Scarlett's going to be a freshman at USC and Jane has an internship at a top event planning company. However, LA's a big city and the girls have a hard time adjusting. Things are looking up when they make a few friends and meet a few cute guys. Then, one night while they're out on the town they're spotted by a reality tv producer, who wants them on his show. Initially they're both a little trepidatious about the show, but eventually they are convinced and together with spoiled girl Madison and ditzy but sweet Gaby their every move is recorded for a national audience. Overnight, they're all famous, and Jane has emerged as the true star. LA's defnitely a different town when you're famous and Jane and Scarlett are finding it's a long way to the top and in this town, you can fall out of favor fast.
Critical Evaluation: This debut novel from reality tv sweetheart Lauren Conrad really followed the adage of write what you know. There can be no doubt in any reader's mind that Conrad is Jane and the entire book is written to further endear her to her public. Once you get over that, and after you've stopped trying to figure out who's who in real life of the rest of the characters, it's not actually too bad. That is, until the ending, or lack there of. Conrad signed a three book deal of which this was the first and never has a book been so obviously a set up for the sequel. I literally thought my copy was missing pages as the ending was so abrupt, but fans of Conrad's (of which there are many) will no doubt delight in the book despite it's issues.
Reader's Annotation: Jane and Scarlett have been friends forever. Surely nothing can change that, not even a new city and a reality tv deal, right?
About the Author: Lauren Conrad came to fame as a teenager on MTV's reality series Laguna Beach and then starred in a spin off series The Hills. She has used that platform to transform herself into a global brand with clothing lines and endorsement deals under her belt.
She has written 4 books, 3 young adult novels and 1 style guide, all of which have become best sellers. She recently signed on for another young adult series which will be released in the next few years.
information retrieved from http://www.laurenconrad.com/
Genre: Chick Lit
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: The role of reality tv in celebrity. Think of your own reality tv show.
Reading Level: 11+
Interest Age: 14+
Challenge Issues: N/A
Why is This Included: Lauren Conrad is a reality tv celebrity and this book might draw in a reluctant reader to the library and into other titles.
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