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Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel (by Meg Cabot)

common sense media says

Engaging cliffhanger continues series' rollercoaster ride.

parents & educators say
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say they noticed product placement
See all 18 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a mystery novel, so there's talk of murder, a possible kidnapping, eavesdropping, and other mysterious events. There's also underage drinking, heavy consumerism, and some sexual situations.

Educational value: If kids learn anything it will be that all the glitz and glamour of the modeling world doesn't compare to the security and comfort of loving friends and family. It may also spark their curiosity into big box stores and how the companies where their consumer goods come from treat the environment, workers, and patrons.
Positive messages: The main messages in the book deal with Em's ability to choose what's right in the midst of temptation. Money and fame threaten to erase the old "Em" and she learns how to make tough decisions amid distractions and pressure from all sides. The book also exposes the realities and darker side of the celebrity world.
Positive role models: There are some positive roles models, including parents and friends, but providing positive examples isn't the novel's main goal.
Violence: A company tries to murder a young girl, a woman disappears, and a man grabs a girl violently and threatens her. There are some incidents of mild fighting -- slaps, headlocks, and pinches.
Sex: Some kissing scenes and one heavy petting scene with a teen boy and girl. A girl thinks about having sex with several boys. There is some innuendo and descriptions of scantily clad women.
Language: Some name-calling throughout the novel.
Consumerism: The designer labels are important to the story as the main character is a supermodel. The clothing labels, (Chanel, Ugg, Juicy Couture, etc.), help set the scene for the novel.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: There is regular drinking by teens. One teen is tricked into drinking alcohol; another teen drinks heavily.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about the life of a celebrity. What do you think are the perks? What are the problems? Is our culture too obsessed with celebrities and their lives?

  • Did changing bodies change Em's perception of herself? Do the models in fashion magazines affect the way you feel about yourself? How?

  • Do you worry about where your consumer goods come from and big box stores' effect on the local economy and the environment?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Emerson Watts is still trying to adjust to life being supermodel Nikki Watts and being technically dead. She still tries to go to school and is still hoping her life-long crush will figure out she's really Em living in the body of Nikki. Just when she thinks she has the hang of her new life, she finds herself engaged in a undercover struggle with her sinister employer Stark Enterprises, running from a variety of Nikki's ex-lovers, and looking for Nikki's long-lost relatives. Can Stark really be as bad as it appears, and will she ever get to live her own life?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Author Meg Cabot does it again. Once readers pick up BEING NIKKI they will not be able to put it down. By now readers of the first book will be used to the idea of brain transplants, so that fantastical portion of the book doesn't take away from the intrigue and mystery of Stark Enterprises.

The novel is funny, the language realistic, and there is an intriguing mystery mixed in with the fluffy teen model and crush story lines. Cabot takes her readers on a great ride, and the only complaint most will have is that the ride stops and readers will have to wait for the next book to see what happens.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
Publication date: May 1, 2009
Number of pages: 352
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 12
Read Alone: 12
This review was written by Terreece Clarke
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say they noticed product placement
  • 67% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Mascar
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Great!
Before you read this book, it is a sequel to Airhead (also wonderful). If you've ever wondered what being a model would be like, well here is your guide! This sequel is just amazing, and it kept me reading on and on...(I'm not even the biggest fan of books!) and I would immediately recommend this book to people (mostly girls) that day dream of what being famous would be like. Also, all of Meg Cabot's books are awesome (esp. Princess Diaries)!!! Sure, there is some kissing and alchohol, but I think it's educational in a "famous" way. Yes, there is violence as well (an attempted murder) but it has a good message!
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booksilove
teen, 14 years old
12
 
i loved the book read airhead first though
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gigigm
parent of 13 and 13 year old
12
 
incredibly readable love meg cabot's writing style
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BookAddict
teen, 18 years old
12
 
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time1212
teen, 15 years old
12
 
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Videonowcolor
kid, 10 years old
11
 
Holes And Kids Dies
The Airbagable
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glitteratti
teen, 14 years old
11
 
in general, good.
It was definitely more interesting than the first book, I didn't find the content too bad either.
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themediator
teen, 13 years old
12
 
Fave Book
Im 11 and it is my Fave book exactly what I like - Romance, comedy and fighting with a hint of mystery. I think I was little young to read this book.
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BOOKlover SMILES
teen, 15 years old
11
 
Buy It, Indefinitely
I love it!!!! Read the first on Airhead and was determined to buy this as soon as it came out!! Can't wait for the third book in the seris, Runaway, to come out.
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aebmck
parent of 11 year old
11
 
good book - read airhead first!
bad: there was a little kissing, but not much. there were a few bad words, but not very bad. Good: It made being smart sound cool and being smart helped her with her new "life".
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AlinaW.
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Better the the first? I think so . . .
What I found most suprising with Being Nikki was that it was just as good, if not better than Airhead, which is VERY rare with sequals of anything. This one was a real cliffhanger, even though it was a fluffy chick-lit novel it still kept me at the edge of my chair at times with it's unique plot. I'd recommend the whole series to a tween/ teen girl who might have ever felt like she was living in someone else's body.
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briebrie
teen, 14 years old
13
 
perfect for 13 year olds
its very great book i love the whole entire story
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Sosie98
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Being Nikki: Amazingg!!!
I love this book soooo much!!! The plot is brilliant, the dialogue is amazing, and my god Christopher!!! I love him to death. The end of this book was just heartbraking! I can't wait to get the next one in the series. READ READ READ!!! This is amazing!! There is definitely some language and sexual innuendo in this book, however, so definitely look into it for your kids.
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Mochito
teen, 17 years old
12
 
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krazypanda
teen, 16 years old
10
 
A great book that provides insight in to a celeberties world
This book was a great continuation of Airhead and i loved it. I read it within a day and found it captivating. I can't wait until the next book comes out
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zipzipzap
teen, 15 years old
11
 
perfect book for teens and tweens
this is the greatest book ever!!!!!!!!!!
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tealsweety
parent of 14 year old
10
 
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Twix
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Better than Airhead, the previous book in this trilogy. But that's only a matter of opinion. Anyway, this book is great! It adds on more mystery and suspense. I'm impatiently waiting for the final book in this trilogy, Runaway.
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