Star Friends by Isabella Cass
Corgi Books,
2010.
(Age: 9 +) Star
Friends is two novels packaged into one, each fizzing
with fame, fun and friendship at a London theatre school nicknamed
Superstar
High. Doubtless the series will gain a cult following as it's perfect
for girls
who live and breathe theatre arts.
Cat, Holly and
Belle meet on their first day at The Garrick School of Performing Arts
and
instantly become firm friends. This is Mallory Towers for the 21st
century and Cass is well versed in the lingo. Story lines are 'stoked
to the
max', and everything from boys to Shakespeare is described as mega,
massive,
cool and awesome.
All the girls are
hugely attractive and between demi-plies, voice coaching
and advanced acting, they devote a vast amount of time to chasing
eligible boys,
who are variously green eyed, floppy fringed and lopsidedly grinning.
There is
an avalanche of Jimmy Choo, Versace and Bobby Brown with not one
'issue' on the
fame filled horizon. The closest we get to a dastardly plot is someone
shrinking
your cashmere Armani poncho by putting it on boil wash.
It's all very
predictable but Cass does preach the importance of school work, hard
graft and
team work. (The token enemy, Bianca gets her comeuppance when the
gorgeous Jack
dumps her after the shrinking cashmere poncho incident). There is
nothing
inappropriate, but equally there is little substance and an awful lot
of
marshmallow. However, we all enjoy a bit of chick lit so point this in
the
direction of starry eyed ten year olds. They'll love you for it.
Claire Larson