Review: Reel Life Starring Us by LisarGreenwald

Title: Reel Life Starring Us
Author: Lisa Greenwald
Format: Kindle - Netgalley
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Source: Netgalley
Published: Sept 1, 2011
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

From Goodreads: 



Rockwood Hills Junior High is known for the close-knit cliques that rule the school. When arty new girl Dina gets the opportunity to do a video project with queen bee Chelsea, she thinks this is her ticket to a great new social life. But Chelsea has bigger problems than Dina can imagine: her father has lost his job, and her family is teetering on the brink. Without knowing it, Dina might just get caught in Chelsea’s free fall.
Filled with honest truths about status and self-confidence, as well as the bubbly, infectious voice Lisa Greenwald mastered in her breakout, My Life in Pink & Green, this book is sure to charm tween readers everywhere.

Dina was part of the popular crowd at her previous school, but when her parents move her to Long Island from her small town in Massachusetts she starts out as the weird new girl at a much larger middle school. She feels like she's won the lottery when when she's placed with Chelsea, the leader of the cool kids, for a school project. She's sure it's only a matter of time before she and Chelsea become good friends and she is included in the popular group!

Chelsea, is late starting school because of a family secret. She's hoping to maintain her status with the popular kids, but once she starts working on the video project with Dina she finds herself more and more intrigued by her quirky personality. Chelsea is torn between two things, maintaining her popularity and befriending the new girl. This dilemma is made more difficult by her need to hide her secret.

While I'm in the minority, and loved Junior High, this was a great book showing both the struggles of middle school and starting to find your place in the world. I could sympathize with Chelsea as I had a lot of the same issues (my Dad lost his job and I befriended the new kid! *lol* ) And I think Lisa Greenwald did a great job of making you empathize with both girls.

I really enjoyed this quick read and give it 3 hearts. ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Due out Sept 1, you can order Reel Life Starring Us at Amazon!