Dream Factory

June 4, 2007
Fans of Barkley and Hepler's Scrambled Eggs at Midnight will find a similar slice-of-teen-romance in this novel, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at America's favorite amusement park. Ella and Luke meet at Disney World when both take temporary jobs as Disney characters after the permanent employees go on strike. Ella is cast as Cinderella-not because of her name but because she fits into the costume. (Luke plays the less prestigious part of Dale the chipmunk.) The two first become romantically linked with other "characters" before realizing they have more in common with each other than with their respective partners. Ella and Luke's alternating narratives express similar outlooks and states of uncertainty, yet the teens' backgrounds and conflicts are different. Ella is still reeling from the death of her brother and the recent departure of her parents, who have decided to go to Africa ("suddenly, the vague ideas about their doing something for others and making a difference in the world had details and a date"). For his part, Luke is dreading his future of entering the family business. If it takes a frustratingly long time for Ella and Luke to admit their mutual attraction, their individual musings and insightful conversations provide a thought-provoking prelude to their eventual pairing. A generous sprinkling of Disney trivia adds color to this wistful novel while an ongoing theme regarding the existence of magic adds an extra layer of meaning. Ages 12-up.

July 1, 2007
Gr 8 Up-Disney World's magic depends on both the invisible ranks and on "face" employees, including some young adults who step in to play the character roles when the regulars go on strike. Ella, given to silent sadness over the recent death of her brother and the subsequent decampment of her parents to Africa, lands the plum role of Cinderella as well as the romantic attentions of her Prince Charming. Yet it's Luke, stuck sweating inside the suit of Dale the chipmunk and likewise stuck with a too-perfect girlfriend in Chip, who intrigues Ella. The two reveal their experiences and backgrounds in alternating voices penned by two different authors. While the characters run from princess breakfasts to the daily royal wedding, they fret about their personal lives: Ella is not sure if she's ready for college in Vermont, and Luke wonders if he can walk lockstep into the comfortable future his parents have laid out for him. The authors realistically portray all of the anticipation and thrill of a romanceone in which Ella and Luke share who they are, what they fear, and what they yearn for. A setting filled with Disney flavor and trivia gives readers insider insight into the Magic Kingdom. Able writing moves the story along while strong characterization makes even secondary players come alive."Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 18, 2007
Fans of Barkley and Hepler's Scrambled Eggs at Midnight will find a similar slice-of-teen-romance in this novel, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at America's favorite amusement park. Ella and Luke meet at Disney World when both take temporary jobs as Disney characters after the permanent employees go on strike. Ella is cast as Cinderella-not because of her name but because she fits into the costume. (Luke plays the less prestigious part of Dale the chipmunk.) The two first become romantically linked with other "characters" before realizing they have more in common with each other than with their respective partners. Ella and Luke's alternating narratives express similar outlooks and states of uncertainty, yet the teens' backgrounds and conflicts are different. Ella is still reeling from the death of her brother and the recent departure of her parents, who have decided to go to Africa ("suddenly, the vague ideas about their doing something for others and making a difference in the world had details and a date"). For his part, Luke is dreading his future of entering the family business. If it takes a frustratingly long time for Ella and Luke to admit their mutual attraction, their individual musings and insightful conversations provide a thought-provoking prelude to their eventual pairing. A generous sprinkling of Disney trivia adds color to this wistful novel while an ongoing theme regarding the existence of magic adds an extra layer of meaning. Ages 12-up.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2007
Maybe letting someone know me past the costume, past this summer, past this very moment, is just too much. After her brother dies and her missionary parents move to Africa, recent high-school graduate Ella takes a job performing as Cinderella at an enormous Disney-likeamusement park. Luke, who works as Dale the chipmunk, is drawn to Ella, even though hes dating perfect Cassie. As in their debut collaboration, Scrambled Eggs at Midnight (2006), the authors contribute alternating chapters, flipping the funny, intelligent narration between Ellas and Lukes voices. The gleefully detailed theme-park background, with its oppressively manufactured magic, is an excellent foil for the characters sly, cynical humor andalso their earnestquestions about how to trust and recognize intuition and individuality, beauty and truth. The hot-pink cover shouts chick lit, but the strong male voice, the upended fairy tale, and the characters honest struggles will broaden the audience for this thoughtful romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)