Overview
Plain, normal Brittany has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful, popular friend Amanda. Amanda has a new boyfriend every week; Brittany doesn't date. Amanda is the star of the school musical; Brittany watches from behind her cello in the orchestra
Synopsis
Plain, normal Brittany has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful, popular friend Amanda. Amanda has a new boyfriend every week; Brittany doesn't date. Amanda is the star of the school musical; Brittany watches from behind her cello in the orchestra
School Library Journal
Gr 7-10- Brittany plays first cello in the orchestra while her friend Amanda outshines her from center stage. Amanda has the looks, gets the guys, and is the most talented actress in school. Guys only talk to Brittany for a chance to date her friend. So, Brittany is stunned to learn that the play's leading man, Kyle, is in love with her and not with Amanda. Then the girls begin to receive anonymous notes threatening to sabotage the play. Props disappear, costumes fall apart mid-scene, stage wine is laced with Tabasco sauce, and Brittany and Amanda must uncover the saboteur before someone gets hurt. The story line bounces between a dull romance and a predictable and linear mystery. Brittany is a flimsy character, one moment smart, confident, and strong, the next unnecessarily self-conscious, jealous, and irrational. Interactions with side characters do nothing to flesh out her true self, and her upgrade from orchestra nerd to popularity queen is far too easy. Kyle's unabashed expressions of love are unrealistic for a high school boy. Unbelievably, Amanda seems surprised and hurt by the notion that guys only want to date her for one reason, and the sober cover art fails to portray the flighty mood of the book.-Richelle Roth, Wilmington Public Library, OH
Editorials
School Library Journal
Gr 7-10- Brittany plays first cello in the orchestra while her friend Amanda outshines her from center stage. Amanda has the looks, gets the guys, and is the most talented actress in school. Guys only talk to Brittany for a chance to date her friend. So, Brittany is stunned to learn that the play's leading man, Kyle, is in love with her and not with Amanda. Then the girls begin to receive anonymous notes threatening to sabotage the play. Props disappear, costumes fall apart mid-scene, stage wine is laced with Tabasco sauce, and Brittany and Amanda must uncover the saboteur before someone gets hurt. The story line bounces between a dull romance and a predictable and linear mystery. Brittany is a flimsy character, one moment smart, confident, and strong, the next unnecessarily self-conscious, jealous, and irrational. Interactions with side characters do nothing to flesh out her true self, and her upgrade from orchestra nerd to popularity queen is far too easy. Kyle's unabashed expressions of love are unrealistic for a high school boy. Unbelievably, Amanda seems surprised and hurt by the notion that guys only want to date her for one reason, and the sober cover art fails to portray the flighty mood of the book.-Richelle Roth, Wilmington Public Library, OH