Can't Look Away

August 4, 2014
In a story about loss, sensationalism, and the double-edged sword of fame, pretty, popular Torrey has "cultivated a loyal following" by posting beauty tips and "haul videos" (showing off recent purchases) online as Beautystarz15. After a drunk driver kills her younger sister, Torrey's views surge into the millions, even though she hasn't uploaded a video since the tragedy. Moving with her parents from Colorado to Texas, Torrey tries to retain her social status but is plagued by nightmares and insensitive online comments, especially after a video leaks, showing her fighting with her sister the day of the accident. When Torrey meets handsome Luis, the outcast son of a funeral home owner, they form a close and candid bond that will never fly with the popular girls at her new school. She also must decide how to handle her return to being Beautystarz15 and grapple with her grief both personally and publically. While Cooner (Skinny) builds Torrey's emotional life skillfully and tackles complex moral questions, the ideas she introduces are not explored in enough depth to make Torrey's transformation entirely believable. Ages 12âup. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary.

July 1, 2014
Cooner explores the dark side of popularity.Sixteen-year-old Torrey has become slightly famous with her fashion video blog, winning a large following on YouTube. However, she's haunted by guilt over the death of her little sister, Miranda, killed by a drunken driver as the girl walked away from Torrey after a fight. With the family's abrupt move from Colorado to Texas, Torrey faces the challenge of becoming popular in a new school. She quickly identifies the queen bee of the school, Blair, and thanks to her fashion sense, scores a seat at the popular table. However, she also finds herself attracted to Luis, whom she quickly learns Blair deems unacceptable. Torrey tries to conceal her growing relationship with Luis and continues to deal with her own guilt over her sister. Worse, Torrey begins to appreciate her dorky cousin, Raylene, a girl who appears to be oblivious to the social rankings in their high school. Finally Torrey faces a serious question: Just how important is popularity if it means hurting people she likes? Cooner demonstrates solid knowledge of the high school social system, both characters and their motivations ringing true. The story allows readers to reach their own conclusions about the moral choices Torrey confronts without shoving the right decision down their throats.Insightful and absorbing. (Fiction. 12-18)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Torrey Grey (Beautystarz15) is a YouTube teen sensation. Her videos on fashion and shopping "hauls" have earned her articles in Teen Vogue and a league of online worshippers. Younger sister Miranda could not care less about beauty or fashion; her main interests lie with comics and superheros. While accompanying Torrey and a friend on a video shoot, Miranda is killed by a drunk driver while standing in the middle of a crosswalk. Sympathy for Torrey is quickly changed to blame when a video of an argument between Torrey and Miranda, recorded shortly before the accident, is posted. Moving from Denver to a small Texas town is culture shock for the main character; the fear of being discovered by the fashion-conscious popular crowd complicates friendship issues, as does being friendly with the ex-boyfriend of the most popular girl in school. Newspaper articles about the accident and aftermath and tips from Torrey on fashion introduce chapters. Thoughtful messages about regret and the price of fame are poignant without being heavy-handed. Day of the Dead customs are significant aspects of the story, which makes for a unique multicultural twist. The portrayal of the impact of a child's death on a family is authentic. The protagonist's pain and remorse are raw and deeply defined. She may not be immediately likable by some readers, but her journey through grief and her "new normal" will draw empathy. Although Torrey's story is atypical, common themes of fitting in, boy-girl relationships, and sisterhood are universal.-Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

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