THE REAL DEAL: FOCUS ON THIS!

Author: Amy Kaye ISBN:0843952520 10/2003 TEEN CONTEMPORARY Publisher: Dorchester Smooch

Caught on tape: The newest reality television series goes on location somewhere truly dangerous—high school. Outrageous and unscripted, each episode exposes the sickest gossip, finds the facts behind the rumors, and bares the raw truth. Tune in and take it all in, because no subject is too taboo, no secret too private, and no behavior off limits! Fiona O'Hara has a charmed life: She goes to the best school in Manhattan, has a closet full of gorgeous clothes, and spends her days basically ruling the greatest city in the world. Oh, no wait: She used to do all that. Now, she's stuck in a suburban sitcom, one hour—plus a million light-years—away from the city, a.k.a. civilization. Her mom is a basket case since the divorce. Her dad is Mr. Disappearo. Her Prada clothes scream "major weirdo" to the Gap-clad masses. The one guy who seems like a decent love-interest has a psycho wannabe girlfriend who's ready to put a hit out on Fiona. And just to clinch the deal, it's all being caught on tape for millions of television viewers to watch—on a weekly basis! It's a complete and utter disaster—that is, until Fiona realizes that sometimes, you have to wait for the commercial break to catch your breath and figure out what really matters.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

With the popularity of all the reality shows on TV these days, it's only natural to have a book centered around one. In this teen story, Fiona's life has dramatically changed following the divorce of her parents. Forced to transfer from her posh high school on the upper west side to one in the suburbs of New Jersey, she's having a hard enough time adjusting. On top of the normal new girl-problems, Fiona has just become the star of a new reality TV show -- Hamilton High. Her new high school has invited the cameras in for an entire year and Fiona's life is now entertainment for the rest of the country.

Kaye has created an interesting scenario that seems to be taken right from today's TV shows. Fiona is a likable character that, with the help of friends, is able to adjust to typical teen problems and find romance along the way. I enjoyed the story and feel that teens will identify with Fiona's insecurities and cheer her as she finds unique ways to overcome them. If you're a fan to the sub-genre of teen romance, you'll find Kaye's FOCUS ON THIS! a fun, light-hearted romp.

Kendra Patterson