Review Detail

I will admit, but only to you, my dear readers, that I will periodically indulge in that guilty pleasure known as Pop Music. Ill even go so far as to admit to listening to the kind of music the main character in Rachel Cohns new book Pop Princess makes. Yes, that belly-ring-baring, no-instrument-playing, gotta-have-good-dance-moves phenomenon known as todays Pop Music scene.

The cover of Cohns book immediately leads you to think of this type of music and the lifestyle that goes with it. Maybe its my age talking (yikes, I am finally over thirty), but theres something about the indecently clad music stars of today that make me want to toss them a jacket. Or a blanket. And for heavens sake, I yell in my head, Stop showing your underwear!

So, lets just say I went into this book with a little bit of a prejudice, even if I do dance around the house to catchy tunes every now and then.

Fifteen-year-old Wonder Blake has the chance to become the next hot star, partly because of her older sisters talent. Her sisters career (and life) was cut short due to a tragic accident and Wonders debate over whether she should take the plunge or not is a poignant one. But, like nearly everyone would, she takes the chance. After all, her family could use a jumpstart of their own due to changed circumstances partly brought on by the family tragedy.

In no time flat, Wonder is climbing the charts and caught up in a whirlwind of parties and stars and glitz. Some moments are good. Some moments are bad and surprisingly, Wonder keeps a fairly level head. Cohns book doesnt pull any punches about both the good and the bad of the Pop Star life.

Some of Wonders choices may surprise you, especially if you have a deep-seated longing to try a taste of stardom yourself. I like her honesty and her guts. We could use more Pop Stars like her out there.