Blonde Ops

Gr 9 Up—Student (and hacker) Bec has been in trouble plenty of times before, but this time is different. Instead of being sent to yet another boarding school, she's shipped off to stay with her mom's college friend Parker in Rome. Fashion magazine editor Parker's next assignment is big: to run photo sessions of the First Lady during her visit to the Italian capital. When Parker is seriously injured in an accident, Bec suspects a more sinister explanation and uses her hacking skills to investigate. The teen also has her hands full with juggling the affections of cute Italian messenger Dante and sexy fashion blogger Taj. Tension mounts as clues reveal that the First Lady's life may be in danger, and the hacking fashionista stops at nothing to unravel the mystery. Bec's narration is sincere and intriguing, but readers will find it difficult to connect with her. While her hacking skills are good, they are nowhere near as advanced as one of the "bad guys," yet she is able to thwart the operation with only a little help. Most of the characters remain two-dimensional, and the fashion focus, including tips at the beginning of each chapter, feel tacked on and not completely integrated into the plot. A fun read for those who can suspend their disbelief.—Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ