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As the star of TV’s Extreme Dream Team reality show,
Charly St. James should’ve known better than to make a scene
in a crowded store. She knew how to deal with fans, but when
a bunch of them swarmed her and things got out of hand,
there was really no reason that some handsome boy grabbed
her and dragged her out of the fray.
He deserved her attitude, for sure.
Still, that wasn’t the way Charly wanted to meet the singer
Mēkel. It wasn’t the way she wanted him to know her, either
- especially when she learned that she’d been chosen to work
with him, boxer Lex, and actor Faizon on a splashy special
project for sick inner-city girls. It was an opportunity of
a lifetime, made even more appealing when Charly’s boss, Mr.
Day, told her that this project would lead to a spin-off
show of her very own. How could she pass that up?
She couldn’t, but she hated Mēkel for being a jerk.
Lex was awesome and energetic. Faizon was funny, smart, and
Charly was eager to see him on-screen and in person. The
boys introduced her to their entourage: Bobsy, who had a
chip on his shoulder; Eden, the chaperone; and Coop, who
seemed dangerous but totally trustworthy.
As the project started to get off the ground, however,
Charly began to think that she’d made a mistake by getting
involved. There was something odd about how the three boys
interacted, and there was tension all over the place.
Something wasn’t as it seemed, and it threatened to destroy
everything – but what was wrong? Was there something of
which Charly needed to beware?
Looking for a novel that’s not too complicated; not filled
with slang, sex, or shootings; and that’s really not too
bad? You and your teen may find it in Charly’s Epic
Fiascos: Beware of Boys – that is, if you can ignore
that this story of a girl who has a “reality show” has very
little reality in it.
Yes, the plot line is quite far-fetched, but what’s good
about this series is that author Kelli London has, over
time, made Charly into a strong role model. Charly takes no
hassle, strives to make a difference, is responsible, and
she knows her own mind. I think that’s a vast improvement
over the first book in the series, and it’s what keeps me
reading. See? Not. Bad.
While boys can surely read this book, it’s meant for
12-to-16-year-old girls who want something
sassy-but-spotless, and for moms who want an escape to
share. Give your teen Charly’s Epic Fiascos: Beware of
Boys and you’ll generally do good. |
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