Scott, Kieran. Geek magnet

Kliatt, May, 2008 by Aimee Cole

SCOTT, Kieran. Geek magnet. Penguin, Putnam. 306p. c2008. 978-0-399-24760-6. $16.99. J

Drama is big in the life of KJ Miller. But she also seems to have attracted every geek in school for the past year, while working as stage manager for the yearly school musical. KJ desperately wants to escape the unwanted attention of these geeks and join the popular crowd. Tama Gold makes it happen for her during this year's play. Tama instructs KJ on how to be mean to the undesirables and how to catch the eye of Cameron, the boy KJ always wanted to notice her. KJ's newfound confidence brings both the good and the bad, however. She now has the guts to tell off the geek who constantly leers at her, but also brushes off unpopular yet sweet Fred. She can now tell her struggling alcoholic father that he needs to deal with his problems. But in taking on this new assertive approach, KJ doesn't realize that she's developing problems of her own when it comes to recognizing true friendship and loyalty. Readers will recognize the many-sided issues related to popularity and courage as they are addressed in this clever story about a play that is itself a play. Aimee Cole, Admin. Asst, Gordon Colleg, Wenham, MA

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.