A sparkling, big-hearted tribute to girlhood, ambition, and finding your voice.
A cozy, concert-themed celebration of friendship, first crushes, and fresh starts.
Four middle school friends in Indiana—Taylor “Teffy” Bennett, Taylor “Tay Tay” Johnson, Taylor “TS” Shaw, and Taylor Perez—all named after the famous singer, start high school together in this upbeat, Taylor Swift–inspired novel. Though they differ in personality, from confident gymnast Tay Tay to introverted bookworm Teffy, the Taylors have a strong bond that’s being tested by changing interests, new relationships, and big dreams. The chapters alternate among the girls’ perspectives. Teffy, a white-presenting aspiring songwriter, nurses an unspoken crush on longtime neighbor Liam Yoon. Aspiring class president Taylor, who’s cued Latine, catches the attention of suave senior Hunter Brown, whose intentions are unclear. Cheerleader Tay Tay, who reads Black, juggles friendship and a crush on her biology partner, Reece Matthews. And TS, who presents white, pushes toward her varsity soccer goal while discovering a sweet romantic connection with new teammate Gemma Walker, a Londoner. The tone is bright and energetic, filled with references to albums and fan culture, but the book’s emotional core is its thoughtful attention to shifting friendships and growing self-awareness. The breezy yet sincere prose matches the heartfelt subject matter, and the narrative balances group dynamics with each girl’s individual arc. Readers will find themselves rooting for the Taylors as they navigate the thrills and stumbles of high school life.
A sparkling, big-hearted tribute to girlhood, ambition, and finding your voice. (Fiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781546176732
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Despite the stale fat-to-curvy pattern, compelling world building with a Southern European, pseudo-Christian feel,...
Adventure drags our heroine all over the map of fantasyland while giving her the opportunity to use her smarts.
Elisa—Princess Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza of Orovalle—has been chosen for Service since the day she was born, when a beam of holy light put a Godstone in her navel. She's a devout reader of holy books and is well-versed in the military strategy text Belleza Guerra, but she has been kept in ignorance of world affairs. With no warning, this fat, self-loathing princess is married off to a distant king and is embroiled in political and spiritual intrigue. War is coming, and perhaps only Elisa's Godstone—and knowledge from the Belleza Guerra—can save them. Elisa uses her untried strategic knowledge to always-good effect. With a character so smart that she doesn't have much to learn, body size is stereotypically substituted for character development. Elisa’s "mountainous" body shrivels away when she spends a month on forced march eating rat, and thus she is a better person. Still, it's wonderfully refreshing to see a heroine using her brain to win a war rather than strapping on a sword and charging into battle.
Despite the stale fat-to-curvy pattern, compelling world building with a Southern European, pseudo-Christian feel, reminiscent of Naomi Kritzer's Fires of the Faithful (2002), keeps this entry fresh. (Fantasy. 12-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-202648-4
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
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