From School Library Journal
Grade 4–6—This amalgamation of graphic novel and chapter book cleverly integrates wrinkled-looking notes, varied typefaces, wacky line drawings, and movie countdowns with straightforward prose to tell the funny if far-fetched tale of fifth-grader Zoey. Although sixth grade is 198 days away, she's already worried about her place on the "coolability" meter compared with the Bashleys: "Brittany-with-two-Ts and Ashley." An expert on obscure facts about the presidents, Zoey's idea of a good time is to catch bullfrogs and other amphibians with her friend Venus. She's hoping for a fairy godmother to make her cooler but what she finds is her great-grandfather's bowling shirt and fedora, which at least covers her bed-head. She runs into a photo shoot by
U Grl of the Bashleys and their friends in the school hall. When the magazine's reps ask for something interesting from a locker, Zoey jumps in. Not only is her locker jam-packed with geeky books, art supplies, and other paraphernalia, and the reps are taken with her sense of style as well.
Geek Chic offers more wish fulfillment than reality for girls—the staff members all don fedoras like Zoey's. There's nothing new about its message of self-acceptance except that it's aimed at the girls who need to hear it at younger and younger ages. Although slightly confusing in the beginning, the format will attract reluctant readers, and the story will please girls who cultivate offbeat interests with as much enthusiasm and zaniness as Zoey.—
Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Zoey, 10, desperately needs a fairy godmother to give her a makeover and teach her about style if she is ever going to make it into the cool crowd in the lunchroom. Told with changing type, margin notes, and cartoons, her brisk, hilarious commentary and confessions will draw tweens into the contemporary Cinderella story. Readers will enjoy some of the yucky details: her best friend’s pet frog is a champion slimer (“his slime is more like spit than snot”). More than just a situation, there is a real story that builds to a surprising climax, as Zoey is driven in a limousine (it is an environmentally friendly hybrid) to what she thinks is going to be her ultimate makeover. Then, instead, of becoming a sweet princess in a tiara, she discovers beauty in what the title suggests: Geek Chic. Terms featured in the appended glossary of Zoey’s favorite words could become favorites with young readers. Grades 3-5. --Hazel Rochman
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
