Bennett, Sophia. The Look.

Bennett, Sophia.  The Look.   Scholastic/Chicken House      2013  327p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-545-46438-3      ms/hs  Realistic Fiction E-BN 

Ted, 15 years old, and her sister Ava, 17 years old, are busking on the streets of London to try to make a few dollars because money is scarce at home since dad lost his job.  When a talent scout for a modeling agency notices Ted and starts photographing her, she is totally confused, as she has always thought her older sister was the fashion icon.  A short time later, Ava is diagnosed with leukemia, and the family enters a new state of fragility.  As Ted, at first secretly, then later with parental approval, becomes a sought-after model, she must balance her concern for her sister, her school work, and her modeling gigs. This is an insightful look at the modeling industry and the way it treats teenage models, as well as a heartwarming story of family love and bonding.  The poignancy of an illness changing the relationships within a family, the close connection and support between sisters, and laugh-out-loud moments based on the naivety of Ted as she enters the modeling world make this book a page turner. While the ending, involving the love interests of both sisters, may be somewhat predictable, the reader will overlook this minor flaw due to the strength of character displayed by both Eva and Ted. A heartwarming as well as satisfying read. An intriguing book jacket will cause the book browser to stop and consider the book based solely on the cover.         

Fashion Modeling                                                  --Lois McNicol

Meinking, Mary. Creative Nail Art for the Crafty Fashionista.

Meinking, Mary.   Creative Nail Art for the Crafty Fashionista.   Capstone Publishers, 2012.  32p.  $26.65  ISBN 9781429665520     elm/ms      VG-Bne

     Are you tired of wearing just one color on your nails? How about making a fashion statement by creating a work of art on your nails!  This Creative Nail Art book is full of ideas on how to make your nails a work of art. Today nails do not have to be one color only. They can match your outfit, you can make them shine, or you can create a special design to go with each special occasion.
The book provides you with twelve projects, and each one comes with easy-to-follow directions. First on the list is what you will need. Start with fine paintbrushes for those special designs, and you will need toothpicks and clear nail polish. Then decide what design you want and get the colors you need. You can start out with a patriotic design, or maybe Tiger Claws.  Some designs are simple; others will need a lot more work. The book has suggestions, variations, and tips.
     You will have a lot of fun with this book and you can share it with friends.
     Includes: Glossary, Read More, Internet sites and Index.     The series, Fashion Craft Studio, includes these other books: Beautiful Bags for the Crafty Fashionista, Cute Clothes for the Crafty Fashionista, Hip Hair Accessories for the Crafty Fashionista, Stylish Shoes for the crafty Fashionista, Trendy Jewelry for the Fashionista.    

Subject: Nail Art -- Cosmetology   

Magna Diaz

 

Cross, Gillian. Where I Belong.

Cross, Gillian.    Where I Belong.    

Holiday House     2011  245p  17.95    978-0-8234-2332-3      

ms/hs        Conflict          E-BN  

Khadija emigrates to London for a better life. Shortly thereafter she is discovered by a fashion mogul and engaged to model her new line of clothes. A disgraceful friend discovers her job and

kidnaps her brother for a ransom. The action is believable and fast paced.        

The author has written a fast paced novel with believable characters and a

realistic portrayal of Somalia as a country.

     Khadija’s father smuggles her out of the country so that she will have a

better life with some fellow Somalians in London. Life is not easy for her as

she struggles to earn money to send back to her family in Somalia. They do

communication by e-mail when her family can get the money together to pay for

the service. It is this form of communication that destroys the privacy needed

for her contract to model clothes with Sandy Dexter (fashion mogul).  

     Sandy Dexter’s new fashion season needs a new focus. Inadvertently she

discovers the beauty of the fabric found in Somalia. As part of her research she

goes to the area in London where the Somalian congregate. While there she finds

a beautiful girl (Khadija) who she wants to model her fashions. (The name

Qarsoon-The Hidden One_ was created for her.) From this point on mystery,

intrigue, secret meetings and more find there way into the story’s plot. The

reader’s anticipation will be held until the last streaming video from Somalia

and the last kidnapped is disclosed.

    A real good read for a young adult reader.        McNeil, Linda

Beker, Jeanne. Strutting It!

Beker, Jeanne Strutting It!
Tundra Books 2011 78p 17.95 978-1-77049-224-0
VG
Former model, fashionista and Canadian television host shares her modeling insights for aspiring models. Illustrated with black and white photographs. Jeanne Beker, former model, fashionista, Canadian television host, and judge on Canada’s Next Top Model show, shares her modeling insights for aspiring young models. She imparts information from her career and along the way provides an insider’s perspective on the recent history (last 30 years or so) of fashion modeling.
This title is part memoir and part how to be a successful model. Within the pages are tips on how to get discovered, how to choose an agency, and ways to develop personal style. Interspersed throughout the book are brief biographical sketches of famous supermodels. Black and white photographs illustrate the text at the appropriate places. The book allows a look at the real world of modeling without just the glamour that most people think is the main part of the life of a model. Beker supplies information on the reality of the hard work and sometimes harsh circumstances models must endure when they are not necessarily the high paid super model that are the most visible. Beker bestows this title with her own personality that is both witty and enlightening. Teenage readers who are interested in modeling may enjoy the advice from not only Beker, but also from some of the top models today. This book is a very good selection for high schools libraries where there is interest in modeling.
This book is a very good selection for high school libraries where there is interest in modeling.
Weinraub, Tina

Iverson, Annemarie. In Fashion: From Runway to Retail,

Iverson, Annemarie In Fashion: From Runway to Retail, Everything you Need to Know to Break into the Fashion Industry
Potter Craft see Random 2010 324p 16.99
978-0-307-46383-8 hs/adult Fashion Industry E-BN


If you are interested in a career in the fashion industry, this is THE book to have. If you are interested in the ins and outs of the fashion industry, this is a must read. Interview tips, training, biographies of famous people, interviews with famous people. Gr 7-adult
This is the MUST HAVE book for anyone who is contemplating a career in the fashion industry. For anyone interested in reading about the fashion industry, this is a must read title. Iverson, an insider in the fashion industry, dishes the scoop with no frills and provides practical tips for future fashionistas. Insider tips on training, tips on interviewing, how to land the job, how to keep the job and how to move up in the industry are applicable to almost any career path. Also includes biographies of famous names in fashion, interviews with those famous people, and a truly insider look at the fashion industry that are all contained in a surprisingly drab - lackluster book layout. But the facts presented are strong and sure to help anyone breaking into the industry. Iverson divides the jobs available in fashion into four major categories: creator, visualizer, critic and seller. The variety of jobs available in each category show that there is a place for almost any personality type and almost anyone interested in fashion as long as they have a sense of style and intense interest in fashion: from the runway model to the clothing designer , from the accessory designer to the magazine writer or editor, from the photographers to the merchandizer. Excellent title for grades 7-adult. McNicol,Lois

Kilobyte Couture:Geek chic Jewelry To Make from Easy-To-Find Computer Components.

Forks, Brittany. Kilobyte Couture:Geek chic Jewelry To Make from Easy-To-Find Computer Components.
Watson-Guptill (see Random) 2009 128p 18.95 978-0-8230=9902-3 ms/hs

Clear instructions are given for making over 25 jewelry projects from earrings to an I.D. lanyard and cell phone charms out of new electronic components. Tools, techniques, jewelry findings, and the electronic parts are explained and illustrated with photographs and drawings. An index is provided While working in the Electrical and Computer Engineering building in college, Brittany Forks came across a box of old resistors and capacitors. She bought a few tools from a craft store and started making jewelry with the brightly colored computer parts. She now sells her jewelry on her own professional web site. This book gives instructions so you can make this geek chic jewelry yourself in an hour or two. A bright yellow safety note cautions the reader to use new or unused vintage parts as used components have been soldered and contain lead. Part numbers for Radio Shack or Allied are provided for all the resistors, capacitors and diodes used, so the reader will know what to look for to duplicate the items illustrated. Tools, techniques and components are explained and illustrated with photographs and drawings. Clear instructions are given and each jewelry project from earrings to an I.D. lanyard and cell phone charms is shown in a color photograph on a model. The skin tones on the beautiful smiling models vary from pale to dark reflecting the differences in the population in our urban school. Kudos to the author for not only giving suggestions for customizing the jewelry but for also encouraging young women to be smart and creative and bold about letting their intelligence and creativity show and pursuing their own interests. MT

The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. by Suzanne Lieurance

Lieurance, Suzanne. The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.
Enslow, 2008, 160p, $27.93, 78-0-7660-2928-6.
Historical fiction

This is a historical fiction book that provides an insight into the tragic event that occurred on March 25, 1911 in a New York City garment factory fire.
The author has created an insightful story that will appeal to young readers as well as providing them with a clear understanding of the working conditions at the time. The trials and stresses of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family are accurately portrayed so that the reader can understand the poor working conditions and cultural disconnects.
One of the most important aspects of this series is the support pdf for educators. In today’s busy schools, it is so hard to fit everything into the schedule. Teachers will be most appreciative of the tools and support provided for them.
The book is appropriate for ages 9-12. American history is taught in both the upper elementary grades and middle schools. Some districts are getting away from syncing a period of history to a particular grade. This book would fit right into such a situation.
Lastly, there is an undocumented rule for fiction by students. “They want a book that is 100 pages or less for their reports.” The book’s size and text are appropriate. However, the book itself is all text. It needs some sketches or graphics to breakup the pages or introduce chapters. Most readers would like a little eye candy along the way. This is the third in the HFA series. I have read the other two books and find them excellent books for upper elementary and middle school readers. LM

Need something for those clothes conscious teens?

Sew Subversive: Down & Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista
Author: Hope Meng, Melissa Alvarado, Melissa Rannels
Published by Taunton Press, 2007 192 pages $14.95paperback size: 8 x 8 in.
ISBN: 978-1-56158-809-1
Subtitled “Down & Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista”, this title is for the teen (or actually anyone) who wants to make her wardrobe her unique fashion statement without spending a lot of money. The book icludes basic information on sewing, equipment, how to’s, and projects.
This colorful book gives lessons on basic sewing knowledge such as types of stitches, what to look for in sewing machines (although they are not a necessity), and projects ranging from simple (pillow cover), to the more involved. The three young authors encourage collaboration and put a an interesting spin on a type of recycling. The pages are colorful, the diagrams and drawings are easy to follow, and the photographs that include people are multicultural. There is a list of resources at the end of the book that is mostly websites, but does include a few other resources. This book contains an index as well. Although I am not a sewer, I found that this book has a lot of energy and an aura of “coolness” that will attract high school girls.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Hand-Sewing Basics
You and Your Machine
Gearing Up for Your First Sewing Project
Notions: The Accessories of Fabric
Making It Your Own: Embellishing and Customizing Clothes
Refashioning: The Next Life of Your Old Clothes
read by T.W.
website: http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/070861.html