Where It Began

January 30, 2012
At the beginning of this strong YA debut from picture-book author Stampler (The Rooster Prince of Breslov), high school senior Gabby wakes up in the hospital with a spotty memory and a battered body. Memories of her recent transformation from a “sub-regular girl with nothing going for her” to an it-girl, becoming the girlfriend of ultrapopular student Billy Nash, are crystal clear, but the details of the car accident that landed her in the hospital have been lost. Gabby apparently crashed Billy’s car while drunk, and Billy must pretend to sever their relationship to avoid violating his probation. It’s evident that there is more to the story, but Gabby refuses to see any red flags. Stampler’s story of a girl’s obsession with a guy at the expense of all else is powerful, and Gabby’s alcohol problem, her devotion to Billy, and her overall denial are entirely believable. Gabby’s sardonic voice will draw readers into the story immediately, as Stampler delivers a searing portrayal of power, privilege, and betrayal in the hills above Los Angeles. Ages 14–up. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Mar.) ■

January 1, 2012
A poor little not-quite-so-rich girl tries to keep her privileged boyfriend after a car accident that can get them both into serious legal trouble in this acerbic take on the phoniness of Bel Air, Brentwood and Beverly Hills. The relentlessly wry and sarcastic tone of this first-person yarn instantly grabs readers' interest and propels the story forward. Gabby has learned survival skills growing up among the super-wealthy. The story begins with Gabby in the hospital, recovering from a car accident she can't remember. It seems, judging by the keys found in her hand, that she stole her boyfriend's BMW and crashed it into a tree. Gabby's only concern is saving her relationship with Billy, her richer-than-rich boyfriend, against the wishes of his aggressive lawyer mother. Whatever Billy wants, Gabby willingly does, as she shrewdly trims her behavior according to her finely tuned instincts that keep him involved with her. When an actual friend finally proves the truth to her, she still feels trapped in a system that rewards only the power of money. Stampler paints a ruthless portrait of wealthy Los Angeles, but she finds the occasional human being there too. Readers will find much cynicism but also humor and insight into a corrupt system not necessarily confined to the rich. Clever and constantly interesting, this is as much a winner as Gabby. (Fiction. 14 & up)

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May 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Gabby wakes up in a hospital and bit by bit begins to understand that she has been in a near-fatal car accident that has left her face disfigured. Her story alternates between her present situation and her memories, which, as they return, paint a picture of her financially insecure family struggling to maintain their social standing in wealthy Bel Air. Gabby goes to an elite private school, but no one really notices her until her social-climbing mother forces a makeover on the teen the summer before her junior year. With new hair extensions and push-up bras, Gabby catches the eye of Billy Nash, a hot bad boy who enjoys violating the terms of his probation and considers Gabby "firm young flesh." At this point in the story, the end of this disastrous relationship is predictable, but it takes more than 300 pages for insecure Gabby to learn the truth about that fateful night, and, once that happens, there are no dynamic changes. She remains willing to accept criminal charges for drinking and driving, but finally Billy is exposed and he simply disappears. Gabby runs off to Europe to study art, and she counts the days until she can drink wine with dinner and get her hands on a hot architecture student. It's hard to imagine readers sticking with this story to the end; smart readers will become bored, and less-insightful readers will give up as soon as the meetings with Gabby's lawyer begin.-Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, NY

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