Reviews

Bennett's high-energy debut, which won the Times of London/Chicken House writing contest, is as fast-paced as the world of fashion. Celebrity-obsessed 14-year-old Nonie loves little more than talking fashion with her two best friends: confident and gorgeous Edie, who dreams of working for the U.N., and insecure budding movie star Jenny. All three girls are wrapped up in their privileged lives until they meet 12-year-old Crow, a Ugandan refugee who lives with her aunt. When Nonie discovers that Crow is a talented seamstress and designer, she invites her to use their extra room as a workshop, and Nonie's ex-model mother and fashion-loving grandmother practically adopt Crow, encouraging her to enter an Yves Saint Laurent competition. Nonie is initially self-centered and jealous, but she and her friends combine their passions to make a positive difference. "It's about the things that have inspired you, and how you've put them together in a new way," Nonie says. Studded with descriptions of chic outfits and references to designers, this outing will whet appetites for the next book in the trilogy. Ages 12-up. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 6-9-Girls who have dreamed of walking the runway or designing clothes, as well as those who want to help humanity, will enjoy this book. Nonie, the fashionista; Edie, the greenest of them all with her campaign to save the planet; and Hollywood starlet Jenny, who is premiering in her first movie with a bit part, meet 12-year-old Crow, a talented designer from Northern Uganda who has been sent to London to avoid being a war victim. The 14-year-olds befriend her and help her develop her line of clothing and also help the Invisible Children campaign for her country. Crow is quiet about the situation and eventually the friends learn that her brother, Henry, was captured and she doesn't know if he is alive. With the help of Crow's friends, Henry joins his sister in London, leading to a happy ending. The author has done a good job of balancing the story between campaigning for the children in Uganda who are stolen from families and expected to kill others and fashion on the runway. The book leaves readers with an awareness of the problem in Uganda but doesn't over do it.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.