Theodora Twist

Publishers Weekly

Sixteen-year-old star Theodora Twist needs to improve her well-deserved bad girl reputation, so she agrees to return "to her hometown for one month to live in the house she grew up in." Her life-and those of the family members who live in the house now, including former friend Emily-will be filmed for a reality show called Theodora Twist: Just a Regular Teen! Senate (See Jane Date, for adults) sets up a tantalizing premise, and the plot is equally entertaining, if predictable: Emily gets a taste of fame (even participating in a photo shoot in New York City), learning along the way that looks are not everything. Meanwhile Theodora-suddenly dumped by her twin musician boyfriends-finds a healthy relationship of her own. The story unfolds through Theodora and Emily's alternating perspectives, incorporating press releases, e-mails and news items. Readers may be troubled by some of the book's grittier material. To land her first role at 13, Theodora is coerced into performing oral sex on a producer. Later she reveals to Emily that sex helps her deal with her troubles, including the death of her father ("When I am fooling around or having sex, I feel amazing. I forget about everything. It's like magic"). These heavier moments seem out of step with the overall lighthearted tone. Even so, this is a fast-paced read, and goodhearted at its core-just like Theodora. Ages 14-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

Is a sixteen-year-old movie star just like any other teenager? If you are asking the famous fictional movie actress Theodora Twist, the answer is definitely "no." When Theodora was barely a teenager she provided very grown-up favors to get her big break. Now sixteen years old, Theodora is constantly in the limelight and her promiscuous behavior is ruining her wholesome reputation. To repair the damage done to her image, Theodora's agent arranges for Theodora to spend one month living with the family of a truly average sixteen-year-old girl. Emily's life is extremely average—that is, until the famous movie star Theodora Twist moves in with her and her family for one month. The experience helps both of the girls to learn an important lesson about the value of friendship. This book is enjoyable and entertaining and will especially be appreciated by teenage girls who dream and wonder about the life of celebrities. 2006, Delacorte Press/Random House, Ages 12 up.
—Denise Daley

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up
This novel is told in alternating first-person voices by two very different teenagers who discover that they have a lot in common. Theodora Twist is a hot 16-year-old actress whose bad-girl reputation is threatening her career. Straight-laced Emily Fine has just been dumped by her dream guy because she's not ready to have sex. She and her family now own the house in Oak City, NJ, where Theodora grew up and lived until she hit it big and moved to California. The two girls had shared a brief friendship when their fathers died around the same time. When the paparazzi catch Theodora skinny-dipping with identical-twin pop stars, her agent decides to fight the negative press by staging a reality TV show about the actress returning to Oak City for one month before the junior prom. Theodora dreads the idea of living in her old home with the Fines and still struggles with her feelings about her father's death. The school goes wild over her, and many students try to win influence through Emily. This time, the girls strike up a deeper friendship. The plot is all tied up in a neat package along with Theodora's hilarious stunts. Senate provides a unique look at teen stardom and reality TV. The mature sexual content makes this fun read most appropriate for an older audience.
—Karen HothCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.