Paparazzi Princess: Secrets of My Hollywood Life series

by: Jen Calonita

Published by: Little Brown

Reviewed by Lauren Segelbaum

Paparazzi Princess is the fourth in the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series by Jen Calonita. She has created a series that makes teenage girls bug their moms to buy the next one in the series the day they are available. What is it about series and kids? I don’t remember being hooked on series. I know we couldn’t wait for the next Judy Blume novel but they weren’t a series. Who do we credit for this phenomenon? J.K. Rowling, or did it start with Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series they loved as beginner readers? Whatever the case may be, Calonita found the formula that works.

The story begins after Kaitlin Burke’s hit TV show “Family Affair” has ended. Everyone is pressuring Kaitlin to find a new job. She gets stressed out because besides the need to work, she also has typical teenage angst such as the SATs and friend issues. She befriends her arch nemesis Skye and falls in with the wrong crowd. Or as females of the teen persuasion would say, “The Paris’ of the world.” The nightlife is fun at first but being the paparazzi princess has it downsides and her relationships with those who love her suffer.

Kaitlin gets her act together of course and makes a shocking career decision. We won’t spoil this brave career move. This fourth novel brings more drama than the three previous ones and certainly is a page turner.

Stay tuned for Jen Calonita’s next novel Sleepaway Girls which comes out May 2009. This non-Secrets book is based on the author’s experience as a summer camp counselor.

Armchair Interviews says: Get ready teens, for the next gang of girls.

Author’s Web site: http://www.JenCalonitaOnline.com