Audrey, Wait!

Starred review from April 21, 2008
A first novel with a voice that sings.
Audrey, Wait!
Robin Benway
. Razorbill
, $16.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-59514-191-0

When Audrey breaks up with her musician boyfriend, Evan, he is inspired to write a song about it, a catchy tune that launches his band to the top of the music charts—and that makes Audrey the target of paparazzi and gossip magazines—and the queen bee at school. Although Audrey tries to hide from fame, it finds her anyway (a first date with a co-worker ends with a police escort from a record store, where a crowd has trapped them). Audrey's phenomenal celebrity seems unlikely but she herself feels completely believable, and readers will find her both sympathetic and funny. Benway displays a keen ear for dialogue; this first novelist has a knack for showcasing her characters' wit as well as their sincere concern for one another. Right after Audrey hears Evan's song for the first time, for example, she asks her best friend, “So do I kill myself now, or do I wait and do it in front of Evan so he feels really, really, really
bad?” “You're not going to kill yourself,” the friend replies. “Remember in health class, when they talked about how adolescents drink to mask pain? That's
what you're going to do.” (Note to worried adults:they drink a milkshake.) Irresistible. Ages 12–up.

August 1, 2008
Gr 9 Up-When 16-year-old Audrey decides to dump her band-singer boyfriend, she has no idea that he will go on to write a chart-topping song about their breakup. Music lovers will appreciate Audrey's passion for her favorite bands and the song lyrics and music references that fill this novel. Other readersparticularly teen girlswill enjoy her reaction to sudden notoriety, as Audrey fends off paparazzi, unexpectedly finds herself in gossip magazines, and attempts to have a normal life despite it all. Her touching romance with an ice-cream-shop coworker hits some snags because of the situation, but Audrey perseveres. There are some good observations here about our society's obsession with famous people, but mostly this is a light read about a high school junior in an unusual situation. While Audrey sometimes comes off as overly passive as she tries to ignore the events around her, and the ending is predictable, the story will keep teens reading. Audrey's parents, her best friend, and her new love interest are all strong characters. An enjoyable first novel that's sure to be a hit."Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2008
Within a few weeks after their breakup, Audreys boyfriend, Evan, writes and performs a rock song about their split that catches the attention of a music executive and catapults Evan and his band to stardom. Because she is the songs subject, Audrey suddenly becomes a celebrity, too, and over the course of a school year, she finds herself dodging paparazzi, rock stars in search of a muse, and star-crazed classmates. Set in Southern California, Benways memorable debut is a highly entertaining fantasy of teen fame, narrated in Audreys sardonic voice and perfect timed comedic lines that channel contemporary YA culture: It makes my parents crazy how I can do all of this at once, talk on the phone and emailand IM. Im just like, how can you not? Readers will be captivated by the well-drawn supporting characters, particularly Audreys loving, bantering parents and vibrant best friend, and fans of David Levithan and Rachel Cohns Nick & Norahs Infinite Playlist (2006) will find a similarly raw, honest celebration of music, friendship, romance, and teen resilience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)