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Overview
ALL THAT GLITTERS is definitely not gold as Mallory struggles to control the runaway train that is her brand-new soap opera. At the end of Likely Story, Mallory had just learned that her TV show was greenlit, but that her mother, and arch enemy, was being brought in to play one of the main characters. Now, as production gears up for the broadcast premier, Mallory finds herself fighting off take-over attempts (by her mother), trying to keep unhappy teen-star Dallas under control (if they won’t let him quit, he’ll do whatever it takes to get fired), and just trying to keep her head above water, both on the set and in high school. She’s ready to walk away from all of it, just to have a “normal” teenager’s life, but how can you walk away from something that won’t let you leave?
Editorials
KLIATT -
When last we tuned into Mallory's story (in Likely Story, Book One), she had just been given the chance to produce her very own soap opera. All that Glitters picks up the plot as the cast assembles, publicity is hyped, and all hell breaks loose. The lead actor starts his own sabotage campaign. Mallory's life is chaotic: she is trying to do her schoolwork (she is only 16), organize the first scripts for the show, and placate the many egos involved, including the ego of her own mother who has a supporting role in the soap. Also, her boyfriend, a normal guy who just wants to finish high school and work at California Pizza so he can go to college, understands that Mallory has very little time for him, but he does indeed want more of her attention. Let's just say that the soap opera becomes a soap opera. The ending is an absolute hoot, keeping the reader baffled and amused. This YA novel is witty, smart and creative. It probably helps that three wacky, talented guys are the writers—David Van Etten is three minds in three bodies: David Levithan, David Ozanich, and Chris Van Etten. I'll bet they've been having a lot of fun with this outrageously outlandish series. Reviewer: Claire RosserSchool Library Journal
Gr 6-9
The saga of Mallory, a 16-year-old soap-opera prodigy who has begun production on her very own daytime show, continues. Life in the soap-opera production world has plenty of drama. Her leading man is trying to get himself fired, and her mother (a former soap star whose show was canceled so that Mallory's could be produced) is "spicing up" her role in the show with the support of the network execs. These same biggies want Mallory to "punch up" the show and make it more melodramatic, her real-life boyfriend is jealous of the leading male, and her former best friend is doing everything she can to make Mallory's life miserable. What's a girl to do? Well, she could try blackmail and kidnapping to make sure her show gets on the air. With more twists, turns, and intrigue than a daytime soap, this novel is great fun, and, of course, leaves readers with a "stay tuned tomorrow" ending. Written by David Levithan, David Ozanich, and Chris Van Etten, this sequel to Likely Story (Knopf, 2008) is sure to be a hit.-Janet Hilbun, Texas Woman's University, Denton