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A new series set in the golden age of glam . . . “Wit, pluck, darkness, pitch perfect period details, juicy twists, and big heart. This book is one to savor.”--Anna Godbersen, New York Times bestselling author of the Luxe and Bright Young Things seriesEvery week they arrive in Los Angeles--beautiful and talented young hopefuls who dream of becoming stars. It's all Margaret Frobisher has ever wanted—and when she's discovered by a powerful agent, she can barely believe her luck. She's more than ready to escape her snobby private school and conservative Pasadena family for a chance to light up the silver screen.The competition is fierce at Olympus Studios and Margaret—now Margo—is chasing her Hollywood dreams alongside girls like Gabby Preston, who at 16 is already a grizzled show-biz veteran caught between the studio and the ravenous ambition of her ruthless mother, and sultry Amanda Farraday, who seems to have it all--ambition, glamour . . . and dirty secrets. Missing from the pack is Diana Chesterfield, the beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared, and there are whispers that Diana's boyfriend—Margo's new co-star—may have had something to do with it. Margo quickly learns that fame comes with a price, and that nothing is what it seems. Set in Old Hollywood, Starstruck follows the lives of three teen girls as they live, love, and claw their way to the top in a world where being a star is all that matters.“Valley of the Dolls for a new generation.”—a TeenVogue.com ‘Read During Spring Break’ selection“If you're into T.V. dramas like Smash, or love the over-the-top fashion of The Great Gatsby, Starstruck will have you hooked!”—a Seventeen.com ‘What to Read This Summer’ selection
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (March 12, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385741081
ISBN-13: 978-0385741088
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,695,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #89 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Performing Arts > Television & Radio #118 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Performing Arts > Film #542 in Books > Teens > Historical Fiction > United States > 20th Century
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
I am a long-time Shukert fan; her memoir, "Everything is Going to be Great" is one of my favorite books. So when I saw she started writing fiction, I was excited, though the YA category threw me a bit. After all, I wouldn't be caught dead reading Twilight--I'm old! But then my review copy came in the mail and I figured I'd give it a go. Three hours later (I read pretty fast), I'd turned the last page, sorry that the ride was over."Starstruck" is completely entrancing for readers of any age. It's glamorous, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and always completely engrossed. Even though I was lucky enough to get a freebie, I bought a copy for a friend too. Apparently there'll be at least two more books in the series and I can't wait to read them!
"Starstruck" is a hit TV show waiting to be made. Seriously. Watch out Gossip Girl. Fantastic characters immersed in a glamorous setting, overflowing with wit. And there is intrigue, secrets, and suspense aplenty. What more would you ask for?The three leading characters of "Starstruck" are all starlets on the rise--young women, each challenged by where they are coming from, and what they are becoming. There is a Pasadena beauty, a would-be debutante, who leaves an icy, conservative family, who promises to disown any child who takes up such an undignified profession (a wounded, young Veronica Lake). There is a vaudeville cherub, plagued with an overbearing stage mom, a child star who desperately wants to break out into a romantic lead (think of a pubescent combination of Shirley Temple and Clara Bow). Then there is the striking redhead (shades of Rita Hayworth) who flees the abuse of her stepfather, and though her temptress good looks are outside of her control, she always remains a subject of gossip and mistrust by those around her.I was born in Hollywood, and raised in LA, and I watched plenty of old movies. It's clear to me this author is no amateur with the period she is discussing. She nails the dialogue and the setting so well, scenes from some of my favorite movies would overtake me while I was reading like: "The Thin Man," "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" "Now Voyager" "My Man Godfrey," "Adam's Rib," and on and on. The fictional characters of "Starstruck" easily cohabitate with the real Katherine Hepburn and Myrna Loy, Errol Flynn and Clark Gable.Though this book is transportative--whisking its readers to a bygone era--it's much more honest than the classic movies made at the time. It's the behind the scenes look, exposing the underbelly of the studio system, the masking of sexual/gender identities, the bubbling of global politics.Though times have changed, the film industry still makes people into products, especially its actresses. But seeing Hollywood through the lens of a vulnerable 17 year old girl (either it be Judy Garland or Lindsay Lohan), it may be hard to judge the pretty faces splashed across the tabloids in the future. And if "Starstruck" is ever made into a TV show, I pray the actresses who play these incredible roles fair better than their fictional counterparts.If you are an adult, get a copy of "Starstruck" for every preteen/teen girl in your life (and keep a copy for yourself). If you are under 17, I recommend buying this book, flipping on a TMC movie, and let yourself be wonderfully submerged.
Growing up in Pasadena means youâre close enough to be discovered. Hollywood. The glitz. The glamour. Margaret was fascinated by it all. She dreamed, of course, but it was just dreams⦠until it wasnât. After being discovered at the soda shop, she had to choose between her family and being a star.Thrown into Hollywood without a clue, Margaret becomes Margo and learns that everything is not how it seems. Those starlets are not actually all madly in love with the leading men theyâre seen out and about with. People would do anything to get ahead including becoming all new people. Margaret must figure her way through the politics, the romances (real and set up), the friends (real and not â mostly not).Sheâll see and hear things she never saw or heard in Pasadena. But sheâll also realize that in Pasadena or Hollywood, everyone is mostly the same.Sheâll even meet her idol, just not under the circumstances sheâd expected.Starstruck is a fast fun romp through old Hollywood. The real stars take their places as bit background players. Margaret, Diana, Gabby, and Amanda are the stars here. If you like old movies, youâll probably love some of the name dropping of real celebs mixed in with our girls (and guys but mostly girls).If I have one complaint with this book it is that the two girls who seem like they are meant to be as important as Margaret donât actually get to be developed as well as they could be. Still, Iâll gladly continue on with the series.
Starstruck is a brilliantly written, fast-paced, and compelling book about many things -- Hollywood and the movie industry in its mythical years, the intersecting lives of three very different but very ambitious people, but mostly the universal themes of the pursuit of dreams and aspirations. By respecting the intelligence of young adult readers, the author has written a book for everyone, including this far-from-young adult. While the book is a real page-turner that kept me reading far into the night, the quality and economy of its writing, character development, and wonderful descriptions of a period in time also reward a much closer, slower reading. Young adult readers will find characters and a story that can feed their own dreams. Parents of young adult readers will find the kind of book that their children should read -- literate, evocative, and human. And adults of any age will find storytelling and style at its best. Starstruck demonstrates that great writing speaks to readers of all ages.
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