THE REAL DEAL: UNSCRIPTED

Author: Amy Kaye ISBN: 0843953152 4/2004 YOUNG ADULT Publisher: Dorchester/Smooch

Thanks to the reality-TV show that records her junior year in excruciating detail, Claire Marangello got her big break: her own version of the TV show and a starring role in a Broadway musical. Plus Jeb, a way-hot co-star who seems to like her that way, and a half sister she didn't know she had. It's everything she's ever dreamed of. Or is it a total nightmare? Her sister seems to be drifting away before they can even connect. Claire's not sure she can trust Jeb and his weird celebrity-centered world. The director seems to hate her; the dance steps are harder than she'd ever imagined—and backstage politics are even more complicated. Everything's unraveling like a cheap leg warmer! Claire's about to learn that while being a Broadway star is a challenge, real life has twists and turns harder than any onstage choreography and is totally... UNSCRIPTED.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Claire Marangello, after having her entire junior year filmed for a reality TV show, is offered a starring role in a Broadway production as part of a new reality TV series. Not willing to throw away the chance to star on Broadway, Claire agrees. Besides, she knows how the game is played now, and the producers can’t mess things up for her again, can they? Luck of all luck, her co-star is the yummy Jed Razor, a member of a very popular boy band. Knowing all the machinations behind the scenes at reality TV, she’s determined to take advantage of her opportunities, while limiting their manipulations. Claire discovers that a Broadway production is harder work than she could imagine, but finds it fulfilling. Claire and Jed develop a friendship that could be something more. But, Claire is hesitant to trust Jed, wondering if he’s a player like her ex-boyfriend.

Personally, I found UNSCRIPTED more entertaining than it’s prequel, FOCUS ON THIS! Claire’s maturation gives the novel some depth lacking in many teen novels. It’s more than just a light romantic comedy in that Claire discovers that the real world is more difficult than she expected. Trying to cope with the pain of her cheating ex-boyfriend, Claire’s insecurities and hesitations about any new relationships have the aura of authenticity. She’s also faced with trying to get to know a half-sister she has never met. Jed is a well-rounded character, definitely more than a pretty-boy. He’s eager to escape the boy-band personae and desires for others to recognize his talent. I found both Claire and Jed likable characters, and I was cheering for the duo to have a happy ending. While the ending seems a bit far-fetched, I was able to overlook it to find Kaye’s UNSCRIPTED a satisfying read.

Kendra Patterson