My Co-Star, My Enemy

--Alison is thrilled when she is offered a part in a new TV series - especially since she didn't try out; she was only at the television studio because her friend Dana wanted to audition! But she soon finds out that show business is tougher than it looks: Alison is getting mixed messages from her co-star Jamie. Is she trying to help Alison...or get her kicked out? Jamie suggests something to "spice up" Alison's character on the series, "Sticks and Stones" which the new director loves...but Alison has a feeling that the old director would have hated it. She can't believe that Jamie would try to get rid of her just because the audition staff took an interest in her by chance. What is Jamie really up to? --Nicely written details in this fast-moving novel gave it a great appeal to me. --Marisa

I've read this book several times because of its great, exciting plot and true-to-life characterizations. Anyone who's ever dreamed about becoming a star will love this book. Ali's a rich girl who inadvertantly becomes a television star when she joins her wannabe-actress friend Dana at an audition. Jamie is a former child star now living with her mother and sister over a chinese restaurant. She is joyous at learning that she's been cast in a new TV sitcom, until she learns that she's been paired with amiture Ali simply because both girls have bright red hair. Jealousy and friction occur between the girls, maily on Jamie's part. These issues are not handeled lightly; instead, they are portrayed as realistically as possible. In later books, issues of body image, class conflict, and absent parents are discussed, and none are given easy answers. That's what I like about this book -- it always feels very true to life. As a reader, i identify with both girls at different points in their lives. As well, I can't help but fawn over the lush and lavish descriptions of Allison's house and the life of fame. This is just the type of exciting and interesting book that makes you want to read more-- Oops! Too bad the rest are out of print. :-( Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and am glad that I got the first three in the series before they went out of print.