Five Days of Famous by Alyson Noel - OPTIONAL

Noel, Alyson Five Days of Famous, 304 pgs. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2016. $? 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.  

EL, MS OPTIONAL  

Nick Dashaway is in 7th grade and wants to be cool. But, he is a self proclaimed Brainiac, social groups have already formed, and he is considered (by his own account) a geek.  If he could just win the talent show . . . but even that is elusive.  Now it’s Christmas break and he is working at his dad’s hardware store. Nick has hit rock bottom, he was seen in the reindeer sweater his mom made him, and a picture was probably posted to social media.  Nick hates his life, and makes a wish for a “different, better, much cooler life”  After a rather strange trolley ride, Nick finds himself in Hollywood - - he’s rich, famous and surrounded with all the same people, but fame and success have changed them.  Nick has 5 days to decide if he wants his old life back.   

This debut novel is a little slow to get into - so much teen angst (and from a boy no less), and the Christmas theme was a little too much (names like Dashaway, Plum, Turtledove, Ezer). Also, he’s 12 (almost 13)  While the super young age comes into play a little bit, the scenario would have been better had he been a little older (fans, girlfriends, love songs etc.) But, on the bright side, the glimpse at what your “dream come true” really looks like is a great Christmas message.  Now, the book doesn’t look Christmassy, so you’d need to promote it as a Christmas read. 

Lisa Librarian