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Cherry, Alison
7 Reviews
(3)
4-6
Ella wants her divorced dad to date so he won't feel uncomfortable around her new stepdad--then maybe everyone can watch her compete at the National Dog Show together. After a fake internet dating profile and some humorous mishaps, Ella must come clean. Smart, funny Ella is a winning heroine, whether she's creating chaos or learning poignant lessons about control, honesty, and letting people (and dogs) be.
Reviewer: Mariko Turk
(3)
YA
Vanessa, Phoebe, and Callie--attendees of vastly different conventions (fandom, percussion, and taxidermy, respectively)--meet at a convention center and form a friendship better than many of their existing relationships with their con-companions. Well-drawn characters enhance the humor of this multiple-perspectives tale, which is light but progressive; Vanessa's blossoming romance with genderqueer Merry is a particularly heartwarming subplot.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
4-6
Best friends Izzy and Mackenzie are in separate cabins at their new summer camp, which strains their relationship. Narrator Izzy tells a lie to the popular clique to help her cabin's prank war against the boys. This novel has well-drawn characters and a vivid setting, and over-the-top pranks add humor and action. Izzy demonstrates considerable growth and remains a likable character despite her many bad decisions.
Reviewer: Renée Wheeler
(3)
4-6
AJ dreads spending four weeks with her prim grandma Jo. When she discovers her grandmother's bridge club is actually a "heist club," AJ is delighted to learn less-than-legal skills and play Robin Hood. She becomes more concerned, however, as the rationale behind the heists grows questionable. Also challenging is juggling new friendships and Grandma's judgments. A lighthearted, sneakily thought-provoking story about developing a conscience.
Reviewer: Grace Enriquez
(3)
YA
Brooklyn is determined to succeed at her prestigious summer theater apprenticeship, but soon her time and energy are focused on her roommate Zoe, her first same-sex crush. Zoe is the ingénue of the program and has a boyfriend, which leaves Brooklyn struggling to manage her jealousy on both counts. An authentic portrayal of questioning sexuality and setting off on a new path.
Reviewer: Sarah Hannah Gomez
(4)
YA
Sisters Claire and Miranda team up on a reality television program to get revenge on Miranda's cheating boyfriend. As they race around the world engaging in faux-romantic adventures with a rotating slate of partners, they discover that they aren't the only ones with an agenda. Sisterhood, however, triumphs over romance, and loyalty is the real prize in this predictable but perky story.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(4)
YA
High school junior Felicity's red tresses are the envy of Scarletville, Iowa, a town peopled almost entirely by redheads. With the Miss Scarlet Pageant coming up, Felicity seems like a shoo-in--until her (brunette, ugh!) classmate discovers her hair secret. Though the stakes are pretty low (if Felicity tells the truth she'll be a better person, duh), the story is entertaining--especially for redheads.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
7 reviews
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