I read this one as part of an idea I had for new_atalanta. And it was cheap. And not quite as painful as listening to a Nikki Webster album.

Star Calloway is a 14 year old mega pop star with a secret. Her family disappeared on a boat trip just before Star became famous. But life is okay now. She has lots of money that she can lavish on her grandmother, and she's about to head out on her first tour. But there's evil press and adoring fans to deal with, not to mention her nasty rival, and the way everything keeps going wrong.

This book might appeal to some 8 year olds, who are standing in front of their mirrors and singing into hairbrushes. Star's life seems pretty good, there's no real hard work, and everyone she works with is so nice. Parents would like it too - Star's got a crush on a boy, but it's all very sweet. And there's a big emphais on Star acting like a girl, rather than a Britney look-alike (just wait until she grows up and gets married to one of her back up dancers.)

Basically the book is good for snarkiness for adults, and might appeal to some young girls. But it is fairly well written, though I could see the villian a mile away. ( )