South Beach

July 1, 2005
Gr 9 Up -Anyone picking up this book will know exactly what to expect, and this light piece of teen chick-lit delivers. Snooty and popular Alexa convinces not-so-with-it former friend Holly to join her on spring break in South Beach, FL. The two 16-year-olds leave New Jersey and dive right into the night life, but reserved Holly has trouble enjoying the drinking, casual flings, and clothes-clothes-clothes that Alexa embraces. Holly would rather track down Diego, a boy she met there and with whom she shared her first kiss at age 13. When she finds him, however, the magnetic hunk seems to prefer Alexa. While most of these pages simply promote brand-name clothing, shallow self-images, sexist stereotypes, irresponsible underage drinking, and other risky behaviors, the plot rides through on the two girls' character development as together they each find new sides of themselves. The conclusion is too neat, too simple, too shallow, and a perfectly satisfying way to end this fluffy vacation read." -Rhona Campbell, Washington DC Public Library"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.