Fringe Benefits
by Valerie Frankel

    FRINGE BENEFITS by Valerie Frankel
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  9/2/08
    Publisher:  NAL
    Reviewed by:  Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
    Rating:  4 Stars


    It’s the end of her junior year, and Adora Benet can’t wait for the fun in the sun to begin. Just being able to spend
    even more time with her best friends gets her excited. That is, until she finds out that each of them have their own
    plans.

    Liza is going to stay with her parents earlier than expected in Bermuda to help them with the snorkeling business
    down there.

    Eli applied to be in the Salzburg Youth Orchestra and finally got the callback. Her dream is beginning to come true
    faster than she expected - who wouldn’t want to learn and play where Mozart lived?

    Since both of her friends have deserted her, all Adora has left is her boyfriend, Noel. Unfortunately, even Noel has
    plans. He and his dad are going to hike the thousand-mile long Appalachian Trail. Of course, Adora knows that this
    is the perfect opportunity for Noel to spend time with his dad. If only it didn’t last the entire summer!

    Everyone is going away, even Joya, who is attending an art camp in Vermont. So what’s Adora to do with all this
    free time? Her parents think that instead of volunteer work, Adora should get a job to learn what responsibility really
    is. At first, Adora is totally against the idea; but, unfortunately, she has no choice since her parents have cut her off.
    After applying to a couple of places, Adora finally lands a job as a waitress at the local country club, Brick. Although
    skeptical at first, Adora quickly discovers that a job that has hot guys walking around, mature co-workers, and cool
    parties isn’t so bad.

    This will be one summer Adora will never forget - let's just hope that she remembers that responsibility is what she is
    trying to learn.

    Valerie Frankel takes us back to when we all had to learn the value of a dollar and the whole responsibility spiel that
    our parents reiterated from time to time. We all know that Adora has never had any trouble making new friends and
    adapting to her surroundings. And this summer right before her senior year is no exception.

    Fast-paced and highly enjoyable, FRINGE BENEFITS lets readers finally get a glimpse of Adora outside her high
    school life and into the one where the real world awaits. After reading this novel, most will wonder why their summer
    vacations were never as exciting!