Jet Set

Children's Literature - Anita Barnes Lowen

Thanks to a tennis scholarship, Lucy Peterson is one of the newest (and poorest) students at the exclusive Van Pelt boarding school. Her classmates are a kaleidoscope of the world's aristocracy. The son of a Russian coal tycoon, the daughter of the deposed king of Italy, an Indian princess, a Texas oil billionaire's son, and Prince Oliver, a member of the British royal family. Disdained by the Diamonds, the snotty power clique that everyone wants to join, Lucy is drawn into her friend Sophia's scheme to dish for Gab! Magazine, a glossy monthly that covers celebs and socialites. Sophia's Dad and his editors have arranged for Sophia to come to the school an as undercover reporter. They invented a fake background, bought a title off the internet, and paid the tuition. All Sophia has to do in exchange is supply them with as much gossip as possible. Now Lucy is having second thoughts about agreeing to help Sophia. If she backs out, will Sophia claim that Lucy is the one responsible for the malicious stories that have been appearing in Gab! Magazine and end Lucy's days at Van Pelt? A Cinderella tale that, of course, ends happily. The nasty Sofia is exposed for what she is, the Diamonds become Lucy's friends, and, naturally, Lucy finds herself in the arms of her Prince Charming. "...and I gazed at this guy, gorgeous beyond fantasy, as he leaned toward me for the most passionate, all-enveloping kiss I'd ever shared." This book is a quick and entertaining read. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen

School Library Journal

Gr 8-11

An Army brat with a great tennis arm, Lucy Peterson is tired of her family's constant moving around and wants to settle at a school and make some long-term friends. She is accepted as a scholarship student at the Van Pelt Academy in Switzerland, a prestigious institution for the children of royalty, corporate magnates, rock stars, and the general elite. However, as she begins 10th grade, she worries that she won't fit in with her über-wealthy classmates. This story abounds with the trappings of teen novels: new friends, mean girls, crushes, confusing relationships, backstabbing, and more. Current stars, trends, designers, etc., are name-dropped throughout the book to showcase the extreme affluence of the student body and to contrast Lucy's situation and feelings of displacement. Lucy is a likable, if not always sympathetic, character. She and her supporting cast are never wholly developed, and some of her decisions seem very shallow. Still, this breezy novel is a fun read that will be popular with teen girls.-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL

Kirkus Reviews

Yearning to put down roots after years of moving because of her career-Army dad, sophomore and rising tennis champ Lucy Peterson earns a scholarship to the elite Van Pelt Academy in Switzerland while her family is stationed in Germany. Uncertain of how to fit in among the world's aristocracy, she instantly befriends Sophia, a fellow outsider who knows everyone's secrets-and has a secret of her own. After too many snubbings by "the Diamonds"-two princesses and a Greek shipping heiress-she helps Sophia pull off a devious prank that could jeopardize her scholarship and her standing among her classmates. But when Lucy regrets her decision later and confronts her new friend, Sophia declares war. Even a romance with Antony is clouded by doubts about his character-and constant thoughts of fellow teammate Prince Oliver. Whom, then, can she trust? Lucy must start with herself. Part Gossip Girl, part Cinderella, this lighthearted, designer-label-laden look at teen relationship angst is predictable yet entertaining. (Fiction. YA)

Teen Vogue

“Get ready for major drama.”