Behind the Scenes

Gr 9 Up—Everyone Ally Duncan knows is jealous of her best friend, Hollywood star Vanessa Park, but Ally is not. Van has always wanted to be an actress, and Ally couldn't care less about living that life. But when her father's medical bills threaten her ability to attend Columbia in the fall, Ally knows that she needs to find a way to make money, fast. Van hires her as an assistant, and the protagonist finds that life on the set is just as superficial as she suspected, until she gets to know Van's costar, Liam. As Ally starts to find herself attracted to Liam, Van's publicist convinces the actors to pose as a couple to attract more publicity for their new show. Watching them together makes Ally feel inferior, and the budding relationship (and her friendship with Van) may not survive the stress. Ally and many of the characters have depth and interest. There is strong language, sexual situations, and drinking, as well as references to drug use, but they make sense contextually and are not gratuitous. Unfortunately, the cover may look old-fashioned to some potential readers. Overall, this is an enjoyable pick that merges a handful of topics—family, illness, friendships, and relationships—successfully.—Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ