The Daughters

April 26, 2010
The daughter of talk show host Regis Philbin tackles a topic that’s close to home in her predictably glam (think paparazzi chases, designer apparel, and Fashion Week appearances) but thoroughly enjoyable debut. This first book in a series about growing up with celebrity parents follows 14-year-old Lizzie (daughter of a supermodel), Hudson (daughter of a pop icon), and Carina (daughter of a media tycoon)—best friends who feel doomed to live in the oppressive shadow of their superstar parents. The other girls’ struggles are barely touched on (presumably to be explored in later books), as Lizzie’s adventures in “ugly modeling” (“using people who aren’t traditionally beautiful to sell products”) and the unanticipated side effects of her newfound popularity take center stage. Despite the potential for a contrived story, Philbin’s portrayal of the girls as down-to-earth overachievers who crave normalcy keeps the book in believable territory. Lizzie’s physical insecurities (given that her gorgeous mother has been called “walking proof of God”) and growth make her particularly relatable. Who knew? Stars’ daughters—they’re just like us. Ages 12–up.

The author is the daughter of TV personality Regis Philbin, and her novel focuses on the teen daughters of celebrities and their attempts to cope with their parents' fame. Being the daughter of a world-famous model proves difficult for 14-year-old Lizzie, especially since she lacks her mother's charisma. At her elite private high school, her pals share similar situations. When Lizzie has a chance to become famous in her own right, the story takes some predictable turns. Narrator Michal Friedman's voice is sweet and high pitched, offering character voices that fit the clichÄd conversations of the teens. Friedman is less successful portraying the adults, who emerge primarily as stereotypes. Preteen girls will enjoy this peek inside the world of the rich and famous. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2010

Gr 7-10-Joanna Philbin, Regis Philbin's daughter, knows all about growing up in the spotlight. She tackles that lifestyle in her debut novel (Little, Brown/Poppy, 2010) about three 14-year-old BFFs-Lizzie, Carina, and Hudson-whose parents are all incredibly famous. This first volume in a projected series is narrated by Lizzie, the only child of international supermodel Katia Summers. With her fuzzy hair and large nose, Lizzie doesn't resemble her mother and resents being asked to pose with her. Bombarded by the media, Lizzie makes one discordant comment about her mom and suddenly she's all over YouTube. As a result of her outburst, Lizzie is discovered as an "ugly model" with a real-life look, and she's plunged into her mother's world of fame. The real draw to this story is the friendship between the three girls. New York City is the perfect backdrop for these young teens to explore their own lives. These scenes portraying teen drinking and unchaperoned parties are not addressed, giving the impression that this is acceptable behavior. Narrated by Michal Friedman, some voices sound like cartoon characters, and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between them. Girls will be drawn to the three friends and look forward to the next volume.-Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, Florence, KY

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