Who What Wear

August 1, 2011

Gr 5-8-Emma Rose, 14, is still trying to hide her identity as New York City's up-and-coming fashion designer, Allegra Biscotti, while juggling the pitfalls of friendship and middle school. Rylan Sinclare, the most popular girl in Emma's school, and her severe mother hire Allegra to design a sweet-sixteen dress. How can Emma pretend to be the adult Italian Allegra when Rylan knows her as an unpopular eighth grader? With the help of her confidants, including the editor-in-chief of a Vogue-style magazine, Emma pretends she is an intern, voicing Allegra's ideas while "the designer is overseas." All goes well until Rylan's mother sabotages the design and Emma gets into a fight with her best friend over secrets. To add pressure, Allegra/Emma has been offered an opportunity to showcase her work in a Soho pop-up collection. Emma is a likable character who strives to make her client a knockout dress despite Rylan's initial meanness. The novel, which reads like a Disney teen movie, comes to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion. Interspersed throughout are illustrations of Allegra's designs. Although the second in the series, Who What Wear stands alone and is a great recommendation for kids who dream of a career in fashion.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Northampton Community College, Hawley, PA

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