Confessions of a Shopaholic

Title: Confessions of Shopaholic

Author: Sophie Kinsella

ISBN: 978-0-385-33548-5

Recommended Grade Level of Reader: Adult Crossover (Acceptable Content for 9th and Up)

Publisher: The Dial Press

Media Type: Book

Copyright: 2001

Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: Credit cards. Shopping. What more can a girl ask for?

Plot Summary:  Becky Bloomwood, a financial writer for a British magazine, has more interest in shopping than she does in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.  In fact, she is in a tremendous amount of debt thanks to her addiction to clothes, shoes, purses, accessories and anything that strikes her fancy whether related to fashion or not.  It isn't until she writes a human interest story, rather than financial advice, that she gains notoriety.  Her article sparks not only an interest in her life, but also her friends' and family's lives as well.     

Evaluation:  (A)  Becky Bloomwood is a likeable character who uses naivety and humor to get her through her daily life.  She avoids letters from her bank and credit card company hoping that they will just disappear, fudges her credentials when applying for a new job, and gets butterflies around the man she has a crush on.  In many respects, Becky is a realistic character experiencing true-to-life emotions.  Anyone who has gotten carried away with shopping or maxed out a credit card will find this story realistic, but for those who haven't, Confessions of a Shopaholic is so comical that it will not matter.  This is a laugh-out-loud story that will make it difficult to put the book down.   

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• Chill Out and Laugh    
  

Gossip Girl

Title: Gossip Girl

Author: Cecily von Ziegesar

ISBN: 1-58621-570-1

Recommended Grade Level of User: 9th to 12th

Media Type: Audiobook, Compact Disc (CD)

Copyright:  2003

Audiobook Publisher: Time Warner

Narrator: Christina Ricci

Duration: 2 Hours (2 CDs)

Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: Just when Blair stopped living in her shadow, Serena gets kicked out of boarding school and must return to Blair's private school in Manhattan. Things are about to get interesting.

Plot Summary: This audiobook revolves around the lives of a group of teenagers living in New York City. The two female protagonists, Blair and Serena, are ex-best friends. Serena has just come back to her old private school in Manhattan after traveling and getting kicked out of boarding school. While Serena was away, Blair was able to thrive in the spotlight, so she is not pleased with beautiful, popular Serena’s return. Gossip Girl details the story behind Blair and Serena’s falling out, the gossip surrounding Serena’s return, and drama about the boys in their lives (especially Blair’s boyfriend and Serena’s one-time fling, Nate).

Evaluation: (A)  While many will never have the means to live luxurious, comfortable lives like these teenagers, the plot line is reminiscent of high school drama experienced by many real life teenagers.  The realistic sequence of events is sure to draw in listeners as it would at any high school or in any circle of friends.  Hence, the plot and the drama are believable. Additionally, the narration by Christina Ricci is not distracting or over-dramatic and provides for a pleasant listening experience.    

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• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
ISBN: 0-590-35342-X
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 6th and Up
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Media Type: Book
Copyright: 1997
Genre: Fantasy

Reader's Annotation: He knew he was not like the Dursleys, but he never expected that he would be this different. His newfound powers and magical history will take him far from the life he has known for so long.

Plot Summary: Harry Potter thinks he is a normal boy living with his awful aunt, uncle, and cousin until he is inundated with many mysterious letters. Although his uncle prevents him from reading the contents of the letters, the message finally makes its way to Harry Potter. An enormous, lively man delivers one of the letters which is an invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The invitation and the giant, Hagrid, help to explain unusual feelings and flashbacks Harry had been experiencing. Unbeknownst to Harry, he has special powers and an incredible past. Harry gladly leaves his extended family and ventures to Hogwarts to begin a new chapter in his life. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone documents Harry's first year in wizard school and the first of his many new adventures.

Evaluation: (A+) J.K. Rowlings provides for a page turning read and a book one will not want to put down. The plot is full of suspense from beginning to end. Starting with the actions of Harry's aunt, uncle, and cousin, readers will want to find out what the family will do next. This pattern continues throughout the rest of the book with so many new and wonderful adventures for Harry that one can't help to become addicted. Additionally, Harry is a likeable character who is sincere and grateful. These qualities also add to the suspense of the storyline since readers root for Harry from the first page to the last.

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• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD (2001)

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Title: Shopaholic Take Manhattan

Author: Sophie Kinsella

ISBN: 978-0-385-33588-1

Recommended Grade Level of Reader: Adult Crossover (Acceptable Content for 9th and Up)

Publisher: The Dial Press

Media Type: Book

Copyright:  2002

Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: Shopping. New York City. Life just keeps getting better.

Plot Summary:  Becky Bloomwood is back at it again in the sequel to Confessions of a Shopaholic.  One would think that after being outed as a compulsive shopper in a humiliating expose, Becky would get her credit card debt under control.  Becky's frivolous, yet humorous ways, continue in Shopaholic Takes Manhattan.  After Luke relocates to New York City, Becky follows and settles into life as a New Yorker.  With a new shopping playground and a job as a personal shopper, Becky finds it difficult to keep her shopping impulses under control.        

Evaluation:  (A)  Like the first book in the series, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is lighthearted and easy to read.  Kinsella maintains Becky's quirky, but genuine personality keeping it fresh and appealing.  This book, as well as the rest in the Shopaholic series would make a great addition to a summertime reading book list.    

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• Chill Out and Laugh