For Real

October 6, 2014
Claire is devastated after her “gorgeous, willowy, outgoing” older sister, Miranda, is cheated on by her fame-seeking boyfriend, Samir. Obsessed with reality television, 18-year-old Claire decides to help Miranda get back at Samir by beating him on a reality show he is slated to appear on. The sisters manage to get onto the show, but learn that what was supposed to be an around-the-world race is actually a dating show. Soon, Miranda and Claire are fighting each other on national television, and Claire is falling for another contestant. In addition to having a blast inventing an array of believable-sounding (not to mention hilarious) reality shows like MacGyver Survivor, Twin Cognito, and GuilloTeen, Cherry (Red) addresses the difficulty of being the younger, less sparkly sibling and the strength of family ties when push come to shove. Though the plot’s trajectory is straightforward, readers looking for a sweet and funny story of sisters bonding will enjoy watching Miranda and Claire stick up for each other in the face of unworthy boys. Ages 12–up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.

October 15, 2014
A shy girl who loves reality TV is cast in a show in order to help her sister get back at her cheating boyfriend. Claire, 18, idolizes her older sister, Miranda. Beautiful Miranda makes her way socially with ease, while Claire hides at parties. When Miranda catches her boyfriend, Samir, two-timing her, Claire concocts a plan to beat him on a reality show involving a race around the world, in which Samir already is a contestant. Once on the show, however, the sisters learn that the show has become more about dating than racing, and each is teamed up with a male contestant. Claire winds up with charming Will, to whom she finds herself extremely attracted. The show places contestants in exotic locations and requires them to perform tasks that are frequently bizarre and often embarrassing. Claire yearns for Will when they're forced to switch partners, losing track of the reason she's there. Cherry keeps the narrative moving with slapstick, thrusting Claire into ridiculous situations even as she challenges the girl to reconsider her often-wrong first impressions. She creates a wildly diverse cast of characters, writing with both ease and emotional intelligence. A comic romp with considerable wisdom on the side. (Romance. 12-18)

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October 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Eighteen-year-old Claire has always lived in the shadow of her outgoing and popular older sister, Miranda. Studying and watching reality TV has been an escape from actual reality for the cripplingly shy protagonist. So when Miranda discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, Claire comes up with a revenge plan that involves the two sisters beating him in an Amazing Race-type show. Of course, reality TV is not exactly what Claire expected once she's on the other side of the cameras. Her hopes for a summer of bonding with her sister seems destined for failure when she finds herself embroiled in an onscreen romance. Though at first the premise seems a bit silly, Cherry pulls off a deep, enjoyable narrative. Readers share Claire's coming into her own, through her experiences in the race and her relationship with her sister. She learns a lot about other people and discovers her own bravery. Though the experience is very different from the teen's initial expectations, her goals of revenge and sisterly unity are achieved with fun and flair once she discovers for herself what's For Real. With just enough romance and drama to please, this novel will find a wide audience.-Genevieve Feldman, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades 7-10 Claire is shy and lacks self-confidence, living in her big sister Miranda's shadow. But when Miranda's boyfriend, Samir, cheats on her, Claire decides the best way to handle it is to get revenge on him. Samir has been chosen to compete in a reality race show, Around the World, and Claire and Miranda manage to pass last-minute auditions and get admitted to the race as well, fully intending to humiliate Samir in front of the TV audience. But the teams are chosen with romantic liaisons in mind, and when the introvert Claire finds herself teamed up with the gorgeous Will Divine, she must decide who to believe and what is realabout others, and about herself. Funny and lighthearted, this novel nevertheless delivers truth in tender ways and is paced at lightning speed, making it a strong choice for reluctant readers. Claire's honest, witty, first-person narrative allows readers to see inside her heart and witness her evolution into a young woman, fiercely loving those who deserve it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)