Backstage Pass

BACKSTAGE PASS by Mary Wilcox
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 8/22/06
Publisher: Delacorte
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
Rating: 5 Stars

Thirteen-year-old Jessica Ortiz can't quite decide if she's blessed or cursed. On the one hand, there's the fact that her
sixteen-year-old older sister, Eva, is the breakout star of the new television hit, Two Sisters. On the other hand, there's the
fact that the fame, fortune, and money that come from having an older sister who is a Hollywood star seems to be driving her
family slightly crazy.

Oh sure, they now live in a Spanish casa, a house with a library full of fake books, a kitchen that comes complete with a cook
and maid, and even a pool. There's even a bulldog named Petunia for Jessica's very own pet, even though her parents had
been previously avoiding the issue of pets for years. All of that sounds great, on the surface. But under that surface, though, is
the very real fact that someone is attempting to sabotage Eva on the set of Two Sisters.

What starts out for Jessica as Project Stop Slander soon turns into an honest-to-goodness whodunit, as she attempts to find
out who is leaking bad publicity pictures of her sister to the press, is stealing her sister's designer wardrobe, and who also
seems to be sending her threatening text messages on her cell phone. All of this, while her sister, Eva the star, works with her
publicity agent, Keiko, to control the damage as it occurs.

What a total delight, and a wonderful surprise! I can honestly say that I didn't know what to expect when I picked up a copy
of BACKSTAGE PASS. What I found, though, was a great, quick read with down-to-earth characters, wonderful dialogue,
and, even though the story is set in Hollywood, a truly believable plot. I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether
you're a lover of mysteries, a middle school student, or an older, reluctant reader looking for something that won't take up a lot
of time. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the second book in THE HOLLYWOOD SISTERS series, ON LOCATION,
which is scheduled to be released in March of 2007. Kudos to Ms. Wilcox for a great new series!