Spin City

VOYA

Sixteen-year-old Kiyoko Katsuda, the daughter of rich Japanese diplomats, is thrilled to be serving as an intern at Flirt, a trendy fashion magazine based in New York City. She adores living in the Flirt loft with the other interns, and together they manage to get into plenty of mischief in spite of their 11 p.m. curfew. But things really begin to heat up when Kiyoko unexpectedly runs into her idols, anime director Matsumoto and his composer Kanno, who agree to be interviewed for an article that Kiyoko plans to write and submit. Kiyoko, who is extremely disorganized, becomes preoccupied with composing music on her computer to play for Matsumoto and Kanno, however, and forgets to prepare interview questions. Unfortunately the two men do not appreciate her lack of focus, resulting in hurt feelings and humiliation for Kiyoko. But all ends well when Kiyoko meets Cody, an attractive disc jockey who shares her taste in music. Together they create a beautiful composition, and with the intervention of Belle Holder, a famous journalist and Kiyoko's mentor, Kiyoko and Cody are granted an audience with Matsumoto and Kanno in order to present their music. Despite a slow-moving plot and somewhat superficial characters, Clarke's novel sizzles with energy and fun. Kiyoto's scatterbrained, overconfident ways sometimes become grating, but her harsh rejection by the anime masters inspires sympathy and makes her more likeable. Hot guys, cool chicks, and endless text messaging abound in this novel, which will be enjoyed by female readers. 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,Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin Putnam, 228p., Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18.
—Dotsy Harland

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Kiyoko Katsuda is one of several teen interns who is toiling away at Flirt magazine in New York City. She's a fashionista with attitude to spare and has a permanent cutting-edge soundtrack running through her mind. As the daughter of a Japanese diplomat, Kiyoko grew up in several countries including Brazil and England. She is a fierce individualist who is willing to take big-time chances, question authority, and find her own way in the world-even if it means making mistakes. As her internship draws to a close, she's still the only one without a major assignment. Does the boss think she's just a scatterbrained party girl or is there something big in the works for her? As Kiyoko continues to burn the candle at both ends, she gets closer to finding out what matters to her and jumps into that dream with both feet. This story will resonate with the trendsetters and fashion-forward set, delighting readers with the Manhattan club scene, fast-paced action, and quirky characters. An ideal chick-lit beach book for CosmoGirl devotees.-Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.