Starstruck

By: Rachel Shukert
Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publishing Date: March 2013
ISBN: 978-0-385-74108-8
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: April 1, 2013

Ever since the ‘Flappers’ series, it has been such a thrill to see the YA world turn to the past and unearth the extremely ‘cool’ eras. And in this new - completely amazing - book, readers get to take a peek into the ‘golden age’ of Hollywood…a time that was literally filled with true stars.

Beginning where any Hollywood story should, readers are delivered to the red carpet. It is 1938 and Diana Chesterfield - the star of all stars - is celebrating the opening night of her latest Olympus Studios picture that the world has been waiting for. Unfortunately, even though many big stars arrive, Diana doesn’t, leading the gossip mill to begin buzzing about where, exactly, she could have gone.

At the premiere, watching the flashbulbs and trying not to drool over Dane Forrest - the most handsome actor in the world who is said to be Diana’s true love - is Margaret Frobisher. She is one of those girls with a longing to leave her debutante, boring life behind and shine onscreen, where she will become everyone’s next beloved star.

Oddly enough, unlike most of the girls who fantasize about this particular life, Margaret’s dream comes true. As she sits in Schwab’s, which is the unofficial canteen of the Hollywood colony, the Director of Publicity for Olympus Studios suddenly appears and offers her a screen test; a screen test that, with the help of the amazing Dane Forrest, is a smash hit. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Margaret looks a great deal like the missing superstar, and Olympus Studios is desperate to find someone who can take Diana Chesterfield’s spot ASAP.

Soon, Margaret sees behind the scenes and secrets are revealed about the Hollywood life that she hadn’t even imagined. She is beyond tantalized by the glamour and captivated by Dane’s smile; however, the pall of mystery still hangs over her head, wondering what on earth happened to Diana Chesterfield. Is the studio harboring a secret, or is Dane Forrest a man who has made an evil mistake? Whatever the case may be, Margaret finds herself knee-deep in a world that looked a heck of a lot more fun on the pages of Variety magazine.

This is beyond exhilarating. The reader will feel as if they are standing right on that red carpet as old Hollywood is revealed to one and all. The secrets, the lies, the back-door deals, the young stars living on drugs in order for them to keep up with what the studio and American people want from them - every page is an absolute rush!

Quill Says: This is one you do not want to miss, and it will have you dreaming of what Hollywood was like before the class and charm disappeared.