A playful supernatural coming-of-age tale with an impressive undercurrent of real heart.
A shy high schooler struggling to break out of her shell receives unexpected help from a ghostly presence in Tipper’s YA novel.
Lexa Donovan mostly spends her days trying to be invisible—a difficult task for a tall, “solid” high school senior. Used to working backstage, Lexa is shocked when she’s cast as the sexy showgirl Cherie in her school’s spring performance of Bus Stop, a role made famous on film by none other than Marilyn Monroe. As Lexa prepares to decline the part, she impulsively wishes on a falling star—and is greeted by the ghost of Marilyn, who acts as her mentor. Lexa’s life spins into turmoil as she juggles a crush on her popular co-star, Brian, becomes increasingly intrigued by new student Jeremy, and prepares for a role that terrifies her with the help of a long-dead celebrity. As Marilyn encourages Lexa to branch out (and occasionally inhabits her body), the star becomes increasingly agitated by her ghostly confines. As everything begins to unravel, it appears that the play—and Lexa’s life—may be barreling toward disaster. Tipper has crafted a warm and empathetic story that deftly balances the fantastical presence of Marilyn Monroe’s ghost with the hyperrealistic feelings of uncertainty and self-loathing that can accompany one’s high school years: “[Lexa] snatched back her trembling hand, read her final line, hating how her voice sounded—tiny and powdery.” While Marilyn’s babyish dialogue grows a bit stale (“‘Oopsie,’ she whispered, ‘I guess I got carried away. I couldn’t help it, sugar’”), and the narrative arguably leans into the actress’ long-stereotyped public persona, the interactions between Marilyn and Lexa evolve into a heartwarming camaraderie as both share their secret wishes and longings (such as Lexa’s desire to postpone college). A feel-good, if predictable, ending caps off a delightfully inventive story about growing up.
A playful supernatural coming-of-age tale with an impressive undercurrent of real heart.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
ISBN: 9798896363200
Page Count: 320
Publisher: She Writes Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This grittily provocative debut explores the horrors of self-harm and the healing power of artistic expression.
After surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself.
Seventeen-year-old Charlie Davis, a white girl living on the margins, thinks she has little reason to live: her father drowned himself; her bereft and abusive mother kicked her out; her best friend, Ellis, is nearly brain dead after cutting too deeply; and she's gone through unspeakable experiences living on the street. After spending time in treatment with other young women like her—who cut, burn, poke, and otherwise hurt themselves—Charlie is released and takes a bus from the Twin Cities to Tucson to be closer to Mikey, a boy she "like-likes" but who had pined for Ellis instead. But things don't go as planned in the Arizona desert, because sweet Mikey just wants to be friends. Feeling rejected, Charlie, an artist, is drawn into a destructive new relationship with her sexy older co-worker, a "semifamous" local musician who's obviously a junkie alcoholic. Through intense, diarylike chapters chronicling Charlie's journey, the author captures the brutal and heartbreaking way "girls who write their pain on their bodies" scar and mar themselves, either succumbing or surviving. Like most issue books, this is not an easy read, but it's poignant and transcendent as Charlie breaks more and more before piecing herself back together.
This grittily provocative debut explores the horrors of self-harm and the healing power of artistic expression. (author’s note) (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-101-93471-5
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
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