The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney

August 1, 2007
Gr 5-7-Devon is a mousy middle school girl with one best friend and a wacky family. Then, while spending last summer with her grandmother, she made a new friend, Lexi, and presented herself as a completely different person. She wore lip gloss, boasted of her popularity and cute boyfriend, and adopted the nickname "Devi." The book opens on the first day of school. Lexi has now transferred to Devon's school, and Devon must come clean or risk embarrassing herself further. Of course, things become much more complicated before resolving into happiness for all. The story has a familiar pattern of a girl owning up to mistakes and learning An Important Lesson, but the plot takes some unexpected twists getting there. Clothes and hairstyles are described in painstaking detail, with brand names and stores listed. Friendship is expressed through buying matching cashmere sweaters and belts. Devon's first-person narration is filled with contemporary adolescent chatter. Its fast pace, simple dialogue, and vivid visual descriptions make it an appealing choice for reluctant readers."Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2007
A release from the new Mix imprint, aimed at readers between the ages of 9 and 13, this title tailors standard chick-lit themes to common tween experiences. Devon Delaney has spent the summer at her grandmothers house, where she created a more stylish, popular alter ego, based on lies she told to her new friend, Lexi. Then, on the first day of seventh grade, Devon discovers that Lexi has moved to her town and is in her class. Devon scrambles wildly to keep Lexi from discovering the truth behind her lies, spinning more elaborate stories and alienating friends in the process. Predictably, everything comes to light, and Devon must repair the damage that she has caused. Theres plenty of focus on boyfriends, makeup, clothes, and the A List crowd, but at the heart of the story is Devons struggle to work through insecurities and be a good friend. The dialogue feels clich'd, but readers just entering adolescence will easily connect with the drama of friendships and first romances, all balanced against Devons realistic, loving family life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)