Culberston, Kim.  Catch a Falling Star.  New York: Scholastic, 2014.   978-0545722964. 304 p. $17.99. Grades 9+.

Little, California, is where Hollywood’s latest heartthrob, Adam Jakes, is filming his just-out-of-rehab-returning-to-the-top movie.  Everyone in Little is buzzing about the star; everyone except Carter Moon, which is why when Adam’s producer approaches Carter about posing as Adam’s short-term love interest she’s skeptical.  Once she realizes how much the extra money could help her family and her older brother’s gambling debt, she signs on.  What she doesn’t expect is to actually fall for the movie star.  One of the many things that sets Carter apart from her peers is that she and her best friend “Alien” Drake have a blog about stargazing.  In the audiobook, the blog parts are read by Andrew Eiden, while the rest of the story is read by Erin Spencer.  There are hints of foreshadowing and symbolism in the blog posts but not enough to impact the story.  Carter’s character often feels too perfect and underdeveloped.  She gives up on her dream of dancing, but it isn’t part of Carter’s essence leaving readers wondering why it’s even part of the story.  At times the story is cliché, but this is a good launching point for a discussion on the media and how Hollywood manipulates the media’s portrayal of stars.  Can Carter see through the Hollywood hype and find love?

Realistic Fiction       Laura Ward, Fox Chapel Area High School