Customer Reviews

The It Girl (It Girl #1)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been eagerly awaiting The It Girl series, which many of you know is a spinoff from one of the characters in the "Gossip Girl" series. As soon as I got my copy I eagerly devoured it, hoping that the characters wouldn't be too similar to the Gossip Girl set. Thankfully they weren't- in fact, this was a great book, even better than I'd hoped!

You may recall from the last Gossip Girl book that Jenny Humphrey has left Constance Billard in NYC to go to a boarding school- Waverly Academy in Upstate New York. Waverly Academy is filled with rich kids with their secrets. Jenny herself is trying to move into her "New Jenny" role, meaning she isn't going to let people get her down anymore. She wants to be more wild, more in control, more free. So far it seems to be working, as several of the popular guys in school seem to like her already. But can that be because of the rumors that keep following her around?

The other main characters in The It Girl are just as intriguing. There is Brett Messerschmidt, a gorgeous girl who is trying desperately to hide her home life while trying to snag the cute new Disiplinary Committee advisor. Then there is the stuck up and selfish Callie, whose boyfriend Easy seems to have plans that don't include her. Callie meanwhile is trying to manipulate everyone in site, including Jenny so that she doesn't get kicked out of school. Easy himself can't decide if he likes Jenny or his old girlfriend Callie. And there are others...

As with the other series, this book is told from multiple viewpoints so that the reader gets to see what is going on in each person's head. With glamourous parties, backstabbing and snobbiness galore, The It Girl kept me reading non-stop until the end. The characters were interesting and unique; and there were many little sideplots with plenty of romantic tension thrown in for good measure. The author does a fantastic job of both providing a juicy, intriguing plot and sparking major interest in the next book in the series.

Despite the plot being a bit unrealistic, and the strange way that so many of the girls had boy names, I loved this book and cannot wait for the next!

Overall I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a gossipy good teen novel.

This new series is a spin off from the Gossip Girl series (which I recommend if you haven't read any yet).

Jenny Humphrey went to Constance Billard in NYC with the others from the Gossip Girl series and 'kind of' got kicked out. She wanted to start over in a fresh place with people who don't know anything about her.

Well, the popular crowd at her new boarding school Waverly Academy are gossips too. There are already many rumors going around about Jenny and who she really is. She learns that she can just ignore the rumors and have fun flirting and partying like the rest of the popular crowd.

I hope this series stays as good as the first book and doesn't go downhill like the Gossip Girl series did. I can't wait to read the next book due out in April 2006.

Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is ready to start boarding school after being asked to leave Constance Billard in New York City. Waverly Academy is out in the country and the perfect place for Jenny to start her new persona --- someone who doesn't make embarrassing mistakes or get into trouble. Right.

To start off, she mistakenly has been assigned to the boys' dorm. Then her two new roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt, are not talking to each other due to some big scandal that went down at the end of the last school year. Both are dealing with some pretty serious issues of their own as well, and Jenny observes it all happening.

Rumors are flying about her past life in New York, and Jenny tries to quash that nonsense while fighting the crush she's developing for Easy, the boyfriend of one of her roommates. He ends up getting caught in her room on her bed --- instead of with his girlfriend, who he had been coming to visit. Now Jenny has to decide if she wants to tell on her roommate and Easy, or go through the Disciplinary Committee hearing, which may get her kicked out of Waverly.

But she likes Waverly. Boy trouble and rumors aside, Jenny has found a talent for field hockey and even makes the varsity team. She is invited to some hot parties and likes the art classes. In order to stay at the academy and remain popular, the New Jenny must deal with a handful --- New York City was never this complicated.

THE IT GIRL is an interesting start to a series that is sure to attract the many fans of Gossip Girl.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

The It Girl (Vol. 1)
Cecily Von Ziegesar
Copywright:November 2, 2005

Ever wanted to be the girl that everyone loved? The one with the "latest styles, most expensive brands, and the cutest boyfriends". Well so did Jenny Humphrey, but you see on the way to the top, Jenny was kicked out of her all girls private school. Where is she headed now, you ask? Waverly Academy, home of the Owls and some other things that little Jenny is going to experience first hand in The It Girl, Volume 1.

The It Girl is a spin-off from Cecily Von Ziegesar's first series, the Gossip Girl Series. Where Jenny Humphrey is introduced as a short, big-breasted, brown-haired, teenage girl, who lives in the upper Eastside of New York with her dad and brother. As a young girl at Constance Billard, Jenny admired those girls who had everything going for them, but who didn't? Right up through Jenny's freshman year, and the Gossip Girl series, she climbed the food chain and had a few incidents happen that eventually got her kicked out of Constance. Let's just say her most extreme moments of fun were also highly publicized.

The It Girl opens up with Jenny on a subway train lusting to herself about the new life she is going to start at Waverly, the "new Jenny". All the while talking to a stranger about her transfer from Constance and trying to hide the real reason she's switching schools. After having her dorm room assignment messed up and meeting some of the most wealthy and good-looking guys at Waverly, Jenny meets her new roommates, Callie Vernon & Brett Messerschmidt.

Callie & Brett are two of the most wanted girls at Waverly and Jenny just happen to be rooming with them, but as soon as things are ok with the roomies, Jenny is pushed into a battle for her reputation, love, and friendship. You see, Callie is dating Easy Walsh, a very attractive and rebellious kind of guy that Jenny seems to be falling for. One night after Easy makes a midnight stop at the girl's dorm to see Callie, he is caught sitting next to Jenny in her bed by an advisor. Callie plays it off like she had caught Easy with Jenny, but even though nothing had went on, Jenny was pushed right into the middle of everything that she tried to stay out of.

What happens now that Jenny is already getting in trouble? Well, innocent little Jenny has to go up in front of the Discipline Committee Monday morning, to give her story and hope not to be kicked out of Waverly. But here's the problem, Callie wants Jenny to lie for her and say that Easy had stopped by to see her and that they were together. What is Jenny going to do? Befriend Callie and lie, possibly risking her education, love, reputation, and new life at Waverly? Or tell the Discipline Committee the truth and make Callie look bad? On top of that, is Brett having an affair with the new and extremely handsome Discipline Committee advisor, who just happens to be the son of a billionaire? And whatever happed to Tinsley, Brett and Callie's best friend who was kicked out last year for ecstasy?

The It Girl is a fast paced teenage drama that will capture the hearts of any girl that has ever wanted to be on top. If you love the drama of high school, girls, love, and gorgeous guys then you'll love the high tension and excitement of The It Girl.

In Cecily von Ziegesar's new series, Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey leaves Manhattan to attend boarding school at the elite Waverly Academy in upstate New York. Jenny is determined to start completely over from who she was at Constance Billard, and create a new, cool, chic persona. Jenny knows she's up for a challenge when her new roomates are the best friends of the former Waverly Academy It Girl, but she's up for it. Nothing can deter her from her path to being elevated to It Girl status. Not her roomates, not the Disciplinary Committe, nothing. This book gives insight into a new side of Jenny Gossip Girl readers had not been previously privy to, and serves up a whole new set of scandals, intrigue, and gossip. Fans of Gossip Girl will love this new read, but it is not neccessary to have read it to enjoy The It Girl.

It was so exciting to see the most human Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey get to branch out on her own, getting away from the catty girls at Constance Billard, and having a chance to sort of start over on her own terms. Of course, boarding school is full of the same kind of rich, catty, beautiful girls with their own agendas -- and it seems that wherever Jenny goes, rumors fly around her. Her new roommates are interesting and mysterious: Brett, the secretive redhead who may be starting something up with the sexy young teacher, and Callie, the spoiled rotten governor's daughter who's used to getting exactly what she wants, even from her boyfriend, the arty, slacker boy, Easy Walsh (who you'll fall in love with, too.) Unfortunately for her, Easy Walsh seems to be taking notice of new girl Jenny -- much to Jenny's amazement.

Anyone who thought Jenny seemed like a very minor character in the Gossip Girls will appreciate how fully developed (not physically -- though of course she still has her large chest) she becomes once she's out of the shadow of Serena and Blair. She's still kind of awkward in this book, but she uses it to her advantage, and by the end of the book, she has a chance to prove herself as a strong girl that doesn't sit around wishing she were having fun -- she goes out and makes it happen.

Plenty of hot guys, love interests, and plot twists that will keep you turning the pages. I can't wait for the next one!!

This book is about a sophmore girl named Jenny, whom after shortly getting kicked out of her all-girls school in NYC, Jenny decides to go to boarding school. This book follows the young Jenny from the hit series "Gossip Girl." In this book, Jenny is looking for some adventure with boys and partying, drama and sex, and of course, scandles. In boarding school, we meet her roomates, Brett and Callie, whom also have a lot of boy trouble and drama. This book is set into chapters with Jenny, Brett, Callie, Brandon, and Easy. It is very entertaining and a book that is perfect for teens that are into gossip, romance, and fitting in=]

Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is leaving Constance Billard to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids don't let the rules get in the way of an excellent time. Jenny's determined to leave her crazy Manhattan past behind and become a sophisticated goddess on campus. But first she'll have to contend with her self-absorbed roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt.

Hot guys, new intrigue, and more delicious gossip all add up to more trouble than ever for Jenny. But if getting caught with boys and going up against the Disciplinary Committee is what it takes, Jenny's ready. She'll do all that and more to be The It Girl.

If you like books that have gossip, romance, and drama, this is definitely the book for you. This is one of those books that you could keep reading over and over and not get tired of it. Once you get done with this book, it has books that keep the story going that you can consider reading also. This book keeps you interested the whole time and you never want to put it down. Once you start reading, the pages turn themselves and you get lost in time. Usually I don't like reading, but this book definitely changed my perspective on reading. Once I put the book down, I would always wonder what was going to happen next; which is what made me get threw it so fast. I read the book in three days because it kept me so interested. If I had the option of reading this book again I definitely would. Most books I wouldn't want to read again because I'm not as interested, but this book "The It Girl" is so easy to get attached to.
This book is great for girls, but I think boys would be interested in it too. The book connects to you and isn't like most books. It has major detail and you understand what is going on by all the drama. At first it was confusing because they change who's talking the whole time, like a movie, but then after a few chapters, it makes more since. If most books were like this, I would be reading all the time. I'm sure there are more books out there like this so I am going to have to keep my eyes open. I recommend this book to anyone who is like me, and doesn't like to read. Because somehow, this book gets you interested and you fall in love with it. I think its so easy to relate to because its kind of what our age group is going through, all the rumors, lies, and jealously. I think you should read this book.

Sophomore Jenny Humphrey is finally vacating the city, as well as the illustrious Constance Billard, and heading to the countryside to attend the prestigious Waverly Academy. While it may just be a stone's throw away from the bright lights of Times Square, Jenny knows that it's a place where she can finally reinvent herself, and create a name she feels is worthy. A place where she can become...an It Girl. As soon as she arrives on campus, everything feels different, from the horsey smells, to the lone owls flying around, Jenny feels as if she has arrived, and intends on embracing the goddess she truly is. Now all she needs is a proper boy toy to worship her. But when Jenny encounters her two uber-rich, self-absorbed roommates - Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt - Jenny begins having second thoughts. After all, those two are only ready to lend a helping hand if something's in it for them. And increasing Jenny's popularity doesn't likely hold a very high place on their to-do list. Surrounded by gorgeous girls, and even more gorgeous guys, Jenny knows that she's in the right place, now she just has to find the ability to stay there. And, if taking the fall for someone else, getting caught with "off-limit" boys in "off-limit" areas, and going up against the Disciplinary Committee all in the first week of classes is what it takes, then Jenny's all for it. After all, there's nothing that she wouldn't do to become...an It Girl.

I will admit that I only read the first three GOSSIP GIRL novels before stumbling upon THE IT GIRL series, but I can honestly say that this has got to be one of the juiciest, most riveting spin-offs I've ever laid my hands on. Cecily von Ziegesar has finally made little Jenny Humphrey the star of her own series, and has added handfuls of other memorable characters to accompany her on her many, often risque, excursions. Jenny, as in the GOSSIP GIRLS series, continues on her way of adorableness laced with a "Lolita"-esque personality that drives the guys wild; while the possibly eating disorder plagued Callie; and teacher-loving Brett add even more scandalous-ness to the mix. Throw in a few cute guys - the rugged bad-boy, Easy; the metro, caring ex-boyfriend, Brandon; the playboy Heath; and various others, and you've got yourself an irresistible combination. Ziegesar has created another unstoppable, drool-worthy series that is impossible to put down. THE IT GIRL is, without a doubt, the must-have accessory of the season.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer