Five Days of Famous

October 10, 2016
Seventh grader and self-proclaimed “brainiac nerd” Nick Dashaway longs to be noticed. Instead, he is stuck hanging out with his less-than-cool best friends Dougall and Plum. Nick is sure that the upcoming talent show—judged by teen idol Josh Frost—is his chance to turn his social life around. When things go south, Plum’s consolatory birthday cupcake magically helps Nick’s wish for fame come true, granting him five days as a star performer with a book deal, manager, spectacular mansion, and worldwide fans. Readers will enjoy getting an imaginary backstage pass to Nick’s indulgent new world, and his mix of swagger and uncertainty make him an entertaining narrator. Though not especially marketed as such, this is very much a holiday story: Nick’s five days of fame culminate with Christmas, and Noël (Unrivaled) seeds her novel with numerous allusions to carols, familiar holiday figures, etc. The glitz and glamour of Nick’s wish lets readers contemplate the current state of celebrity while helping camouflage the message that the grass isn’t always greener, even when it comes with a mansion and chauffeur. Ages 10–up. Agent: Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman.

October 1, 2016
Almost 13-year-old Nick thinks that the only way he can get his dream girl is by becoming famous.His first plan fails, but the white lad gets his wish when he boards a suspicious-looking Christmas-themed bus that will take him to his dream. He also gets a golden ticket that will return him to real life, but it will expire in five days. He soon learns that in this alternate life, he is a world-famous teen heartthrob, with a mansion and dozens of servants. At first his new life seems like heaven. He has a great time in his stretch limo with his best friend, going bowling with superhot (but possibly much older) girls. He also sees an opportunity to attract his crushs attention: throw a massively expensive party. Things seem to be going just the way Nick had wished until he begins to realize that the people who truly loved him in his old life now see him only as a money machine or a way to get their own careers in show business. But can he go back to his old life? In a major departure from her customary paranormal romance, Nol writes this Christmas comedy with lots of zing and bubbling humor. Readers familiar with Christmas movies will notice undertones of Its a Wonderful Life, even with a reference to an angel getting its wings. An amusing Christmas story for preteens. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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October 1, 2016

Gr 5-7-Nick Dashaway thinks he has figured out a way to join the popular crowd at school. He enters the Greentree Middle School Talent Show, hosted by pop sensation Josh Frost, expecting to win and be skyrocketed to the cool table in the cafeteria. When things don't go according to plan, Nick makes a wish for a "different, better, much cooler life" and finds himself smack in the middle of a teen international superstar version of his life, complete with reality show, endorsement deals, lavish parties, and a chauffeur. With a return ticket to his old life that is good for only five days and set to expire on Christmas, Nick must quickly decide if the life of fame and celebrity is all it's cracked up to be. The characters in Nick's superstar world are exaggerated versions of family and friends from his real world, leading him to compare them throughout the story. Told in an easygoing, conversational style, the text is appealing and chock-full of humor. VERDICT A unique twist on the typical holiday story, perfect for readers wondering what their dream life would be like.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 Thirteen-year-old Nick Dashaway is a nobody, but when a teen singing sensation comes to judge his middle-school talent show, Nick is sure he'll finally be catapulted into fame and popularity. He flops. Walking home in a snowstorm, he catches a ride on a Christmas trolley driven by a deranged Santa and wakes up in palm treelined Tinsel Hills with a personal chauffeur and a manager waiting. In this alternate universe, Nick is the top international teen superstar. He is thronged by paparazzi and stars in his own reality show, and his lips are trending on Twitter. Did he just hit the jackpot of all granted wishes, or will he find out that fame comes with a price tag? Noel (Evermore, 2009) has crafted a quick, compelling, energetic modern-day fairy tale for every tween who has ever wished for fame. In the delightful vein of Freaky Friday, there is a lesson here about satisfaction and gratitude, but it runs second to a charming, funny, often surprising, and very current Cinder-fella story. This is a Hollywood blockbuster waiting to happen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)