DO-OVER by Christine Hurley Deriso
    Category:  Paranormal
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  6/13/06
    Publisher:  Delacorte
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating:  4 Stars


    There have been many times in my life when I've said or done something so incredibly stupid that all I wish is that I
    could go back in time and do it differently.  In my case, and most everyone elses, going back and fixing our mistakes
    isn't a possibility.  For thirteen-year-old Elsa Alden, however, the same rules don't apply.  Sure, her life isn't perfect;
    after all, her mother is still dead, her father is still moving her away to Harbin Springs, South Carolina, in the middle of
    seventh grade, and she'll be leaving her best friend, Lani, behind.  But things are about to start looking up.

    First, she finds an old silver heart locket on a chain in her mom's old dresser at her grandmother's house.  Her first
    day of school at Harbin Springs Middle School aren't as great as she had hoped, though.  There's Queen Darcy, the
    most popular girl in the school, who seems to have already targeted Elsa as her next victim.  Thankfully, her mother
    comes to her rescue by appearing to her in a dream and imparting the wisdom of that old locket, which just happens
    to have do-over power.  Elsa can now turn back time--not years or even days, but by ten seconds.  Which just
    happens to be enough time to redo whatever stupid thing she's just said or done.

    Elsa knows just what she'll use her new do-over powers for--instant popularity.  Sure, Darcy and her gang are
    shallow and fake, but they are the epitome of what it means to be popular.  Plus, she can look extremely intelligent to
    her teachers, or show that she knows what she's doing when it comes to makeup (even if her Dad would kill her for
    wearing it), or even just appear to know all the juicy school gossip before anyone else.  Need to go back and make
    yourself look good?  Simply touch the locket, utter the words "do-over," and time goes back to ten seconds before.

    Of course, Elsa's do-over ability causes some serious side effects that she hadn't planned on.  Sure, there are some
    advantages to looking smart and being popular, but there are also downfalls that she'd never imagined.  As Elsa learns
    that do-over magic might not be as wonderful as she'd originally thought, she does learn about friendship, family
    loyalty, and dealing with the loss of her mother.

    DO-OVER is a great book that teens will definitely enjoy, especially when they think about what they could do with
    their own powers to turn back time.  Funny, imaginative dialogue and interesting characters make this a truly
    enjoyable read.
Do-Over
by Christine Hurley Deriso