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

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

Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen.

Huser, Glen. Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen.
Groundwood, 2006. 192p 0-88899-732-9

“Fifteen-year-old Tamara is being bumped between foster homes, but now that she is aging out of the foster care system, she has devised a plan that will ensure her wealth and freedom, but first she must get through her last community project, which may change her life forever.”
Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen by Glen Huser is the teenage version of Thelma and Louise. Fifteen-year-old Tamara is being tossed around from foster home to foster home, because of her flamboyant disposition. She knows her future is on the line. All she ever wanted to do is be a model and become rich and famous. Her plans unfold when she meets elderly Miss Jane Barclay at the nursing home while her class is working on community projects. Miss Barclay is as unique as Tamara, smoking her cigars and sneaking drinks when available. Miss Barclay has one desire, to attend the opera one last time, while Tamara desires to attend a modeling school. The two set off on an adventure of a lifetime, being beneficial to both of their ambitions, since Miss Barclay is willing to pay for Tamara’s class and Tamara in return is willing to drive Miss Barclay to Seattle for the operas. Hoping for the best, they got the worst. The two ladies learn about each other and themselves. What they wanted and desired was respect and freedom.
The book is a fast and enjoyable read, predominately for females. Middle and high school level readers will like this book and will think of their elderly relatives. CFM
Realistic fiction