Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book features a gay protagonist (though he is still in the closet and doesn't pursue any romantic relationships). Parents should also know that some of the pranks that befall the Dorothys are pretty severe -- one star has an allergic reaction and needs a shot to stay alive while another has naked pictures posted of her on the school's Web site.
Families can talk about the popularity of the book series. Why are so many being published nowadays? Do you like reading about teen characters in modern high school settings or would you rather a book took you someplace outside of the familiar?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
Readers may like some of the author's clever details here: For Bryan's private school's production of Wizard of Oz, four students are cast in the lead role (that makes the rich parents happy). Another scene has Bryan and his best friend Sam going to an outrageously large stuffed-animal emporium to pick out Totos for the show.
But the pranks being pulled on the Dorothys seem dark in contrast to all the light, funny touches. Is the author trying for the dark comedy of the movie Heathers? One character has a nearly fatal allergic reaction, and another falls down a flight of steps. This shift in tone makes it hard for readers to know how they should be feeling.
The book is pretty meandering, and the payoff isn't big enough. It's not really a mystery who is behind the crimes -- and readers may be disappointed that nothing really happens to the mean, rich girl at the end -- at least nothing hugely publicly humiliating.
They also may be surprised that Bryan discusses his sexuality a bit, but remains closeted. But, perhaps that will be further developed in the next installment of the series. Yawn.
From The Book
"Maybe the lamp falling, and Suze accidentally eating a shrimp taco when she's deathly allergic ... okay ... those could be accidents. But someone went in and put those naked pictures of Cynthia on the school website. That wasn't any curse. That was just cruel."
"True," Hope said.
"Someone did that on purpose," I added, not liking where this line of thought was taking me.
Aparently, it was taking Hope to the same place. "You don't think someone is sabotaging the play."
Plot Summary:
Bryan prefers to be "a supporting character or background player" at his private school. But when someone begins sabotaging the four -- yes, four -- Dorothys cast in his school's production of Wizard of Oz, Bryan has to take more of lead role to get to the bottom of the mystery and save his best friend, one of the leads.
Related Books:
Teen Series:
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Teen Reads with Gay Themes:
Getting It by Alex Sanchez
Split Screen by Brent Hartinger
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Sexual ContentBryan asks Sam if she was "locking lips" with her boyfriend, and checks to see if she is still wearing a unicorn necklace, a sign that she's still a virgin. Bryan is gay, but closeted and doesn't pursue any romance here. Another character's nude pictures are posted on the school's Web site. |
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ViolenceSome of the pranks that befall the Dorothys are pretty severe -- one star has an allergic reaction and needs a shot to stay alive, for example. |
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CommercialismA few references: Pop-Tarts, some label names, and mentions of movies and TV shows. |
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