Imposter

Gr 9 Up—This fish-out-of-water tale chronicles the highs and lows of sudden fame in Hollywood. Seth Crane is 18, struggling to keep his family afloat following his mother's death and his father's stroke, and has just been offered the role of a lifetime. Along with the promise of riches and the chance to revolutionize modern day filmmaking, comes car chases, perplexing love triangles, drug-fueled decisions, and betrayal from all sides. Rocketing from high school auditorium performances to Hollywood super stardom would be difficult enough, but can he keep his cool under the hot lights and constant scrutiny of invasive tabloids, volatile costars, and dangerously omnipotent directors? Readers who enjoy reality TV and keep their finger on the pulse of pop culture will likely enjoy this character-driven, mystery-riddled exposé on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, told from the perspective of an outsider. The usual trappings of teen angst and the search for meaning and identity are explored here against the glittering Los Angeles backdrop, and while novels with this general setting and plot may typically skew toward a more female audience, John's male protagonist and subsequent viewpoint will likely help to balance the appeal with all audiences. The drama is high and the action is fast and frequent, but the stakes are fairly low, at least in terms of violence and mortality, making it appropriate for teens.