Hollywood High

Gr 9 Up—From the sunglasses they wear to the cars they're too young to drive legally, everything owned by these four black teens is a brand name. They identify with their expensive designer clothes and accessories as evidence that they're a class apart, labeling themselves the Pampered Princesses. But while these popularity-craving kids talk smart and hip, there's a lot missing, and what they need can't be bought. Loving parents? Unavailable. Heather's nasty stage mom craves her daughter's celebrity, while Spencer's mother, who dictates her daughter's every step, is too busy to be around when the girl deviates from the plan. London's father spies on his daughter virtually to "protect his investment," and Rich's stern dad only intervenes when her mistakes cost him his money or his reputation. Consequently, these four beauties crave attention; they sneak boys into their fabulous bedrooms and throw extravagant tantrums in public places. Spencer, Rich, and London make headlines just by associating with Heather, a TV show star, but readers would hardly recognize any of them as friends. The plot of this silly novel turns on whether or not their latest spat or indiscretion has gone viral, and who's the cleverest at turning this to her advantage. Money can't buy happiness, but does it have to underwrite such misery?—Georgia Christgau, Middle College High School, Long Island City, NY