Pete Milano's Guide to Being a Movie Star

November 1, 2015
Can Charlie Joe Jackson's pal Pete Milano survive the transition from school prankster to Hollywood movie star? On the run after his most recent prank (stealing Eliza Collins' pompoms), Pete ducks into a coffee shop and meets Iris Galt, an actual movie producer. She thinks he has "relate-ability" and invites him to audition for her latest film. Everyone at school thinks he's just pulling a prank until he gets the job. Then he has to learn how to juggle being in a movie and going to school. He has to learn his lines and be responsible, and that doesn't mesh with his pranking persona or keeping in touch with his friends. The most difficult balancing act turns out to be keeping his real girlfriend, Puerto Rican new girl Mareli, while acting opposite gorgeous megastar Shana Fox. Shana makes that impossible when she decides to use Pete to make her boyfriend jealous. Dotted with Pete's own captioned illustrations (which don't add as much as they might), Greenwald's newest Charlie Joe Jackson spinoff is a bit bland. The many inane screenplay excerpts from Sammy and the Princess, Pete's movie, that punctuate the narrative halt what little action Pete's tale has. Engaging Everykid Pete is lost in a predictable and strangely unfunny tale. Alas, there's no blockbuster here. (Fiction. 8-12)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Pete Milano, a popular character from the Charlie Joe Jackson series, literally gets his time in the spotlight. On the run after pulling a prank on one of his classmates, he gets discovered by a casting director looking to fill one of the starring roles in her new movie Sammy and the Princess. Complications ensue when Pete's friends feel like they are not important to him anymore and the budding friendship with his famous co-star puts a strain on his relationship with his girlfriend. Featuring much of the same characters of Greenwald's previous titles, this book stands on its own. Relevant background of the characters are provided and kids will have no problem following along. Young readers will enjoy Pete's humor and the various forms of storytelling (passages from the movie script are sprinkled throughout the text). The idea of a regular kid achieving something great will definitely appeal to readers.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016
Grades 5-8 Impulsive prankster Pete, a supporting character in Greenwald's ongoing middle-school tales of Charlie Joe Jackson, takes a stressful but ultimately triumphant star turn after a chance encounter lands him a major role in an upcoming prep-school film titled Sammy and the Princess. Being basically clueless ( Just a doofus who walked into the right coffee shop ), he has eye-opening experiences to both the process and the politics of making movies. Moreover, thanks to the contractual secrecy, the punishing shooting schedule, and also the fact that he's cast opposite awesomely hot teen-star Shana Fox, Pete soon finds all his relationshipsespecially with girlfriend Mareliheading for the rocks. Money is hardly mentioned, but Pete's questions and observations supply at least glimpses of life behind the scenes. Quick on the uptake, unegotistical, and well-intentioned, Pete is able to weather embarrassing faux pas and near catastrophes, reaching opening night still tight with buddies and Mareli. Interspersed pages of script dialogue and frequent pen-and-ink spot illustrations further lighten the tone of this feel-good story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)