Face Value

Two lifetimes. Two rising stars. One common danger.

As a daughter starts her rise in the glamorous London fashion scene, she begins to uncover secrets and clues about the mother she never knew — a beautiful teenage model who became a victim in the high stakes, high pressure world where international fashionistas and mobsters intersect.

The fast cars, flashy parties, and easy money can be so enticing. But in a world where everybody is taken at face value, there is always a high price to pay for such fleeting fame.

Two lifetimes. Two rising stars. One common danger.

As a daughter starts her rise in the glamorous London fashion scene, she begins to uncover secrets and clues about the mother she never knew — a beautiful teenage model who became a victim in the high stakes, high pressure world where international fashionistas and mobsters intersect.

The fast cars, flashy parties, and easy money can be so enticing. But in a world where everybody is taken at face value, there is always a high price to pay for such fleeting fame.

Paula Brehm-Heeger - VOYA

Approached about becoming the client of a prestigious modeling agency, fifteen-year-old Lauren Bogle is excited and apprehensive. Her dead mother, Paula, was a model with real potential. Although she does not entirely understand why, Lauren knows that Vanessa, her guardian and Paula's best friend, is vehemently opposed to Lauren following in Paula's footsteps. Alternating "Lauren Now" chapters set in present day England and "Vanessa Then" episodes from 1989 England reveal that Vanessa has good reason to be wary. Her mother, a famous fashion designer fond of wild parties, died under mysterious circumstances connected to criminal Ed McKay, the man who paraded Paula around while privately prostituting and physically abusing her. The complex plot is surprisingly easy to follow and many characters are genuinely likeable. Mixed-race, awkwardly tall Lauren does not seem to fit in anywhere, and many teen readers will relate to her feelings of isolation, especially as she watches her white, former best friend become closer to other girls who look like her and nothing like Lauren. The difficulties of being a beautiful woman are superficially explored, but the first quarter of the story seems to be leading to a hard look at the dark side of modeling. It never materializes, leaving the plot feeling unfocused. There are moments of suspense, but they are frequently interrupted and never grab hold to create a quality mystery. The greatest appeal here may be for teens looking to find books featuring mixed-race characters. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Walker, 249p., Ages 12 to 18.

CATHERINE JOHNSON was brought up in North London by her Welsh mother and Jamaican father. She says that growing up mixed race in London has shaped a lot of her writing. She has two children and lives in London Fields, England. This is her first book published in the United States.