Star Struck

Gr 7 Up—A character-driven novel where a school bully gets a wake-up call. Pearl, who is white, is the school mean girl and that is just how she likes it. But when a new girl, Hoshi, who is white and Japanese, bursts onto the scene with her undeniable talent and knowledge of Japanese pop culture, things start to change. Suddenly, what once belonged to Pearl starts slipping away. From the lead role in the school musical to her newest crush's attention, Hoshi's entrance puts things in motion for Pearl's character growth. McLachlan has written a charming story of self-discovery. Her characters are a dynamic and realistic representation of teens in a modern world. Pearl is confronted not only with natural adolescent issues but also with the struggles of her home life and her sexuality. And though Hoshi initially serves as a catalyst for the mean girl's transformation, the secondary character is also fully developed by the story's end. While this is set in modern England, the dialogue lacks the Briticisms that might trip up some teens. The narrative is generally light and entertaining. Those who have read the other books in the series will be thrilled with this addition.