Scarlett Fever [Hardcover]

Maureen Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

From top-selling author Maureen Johnson comes the second book in the trilogy about a girl and her hotel.

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Scarlett Martin and her unconventional hotel-dwelling family are back. Following the success of her brother's theater troupe's staging of Hamlet at a run-down Manhattan hotel in Suite Scarlett (Scholastic, 2008), Scarlett continues her work with socialite cum talent agent Mrs. Amberson to find her brother work as an actor and to secure the agency's second client. As Scarlett and Mrs. Amberson woo Chelsea, the teenaged star of a bad Broadway musical, Scarlett attempts to get over a failed romance; reluctantly befriends Chelsea's brother; and handles family crises involving her brother's sudden semi-stardom and her sister's return to her former (and very wealthy) flame. While the novel may be enjoyed for the light if slightly madcap romance that it is, it is notable for its attention to social class and to the Martins' struggles with money. As the proprietors of a fading art-deco hotel they can neither afford to keep nor sell, all of them must make sacrifices, and Johnson's sympathetic portrayals of their financial woes save the novel from its own cuteness. The story ends not only by resolving Scarlett's brother's dilemma but also by introducing a troubling resolution to Scarlett's sister's romantic predicament, nearly ensuring a third volume of Martin family madness.—Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In this follow-up to Suite Scarlett (2008), Hamlet has closed, moving the Hopewell Hotel back toward the seedy side and Scarlett’s life to a boring “normalcy.” Her job as Mrs. Amberson’s personal assistant has her dealing more with dogs and doormen than with famous stars; her best friend, Dakota, is tired of Scarlett’s obsession with actor Eric; and Max, Scarlett’s archnemesis and responsibility, is driving her crazy. It’s hard to nail down a true plot in this over-the-top, humorous, often-bordering-on-slapstick novel that, though not Johnson’s finest, does offer a unique off-Broadway/TV series perspective seldom found in YA literature. Grades 8-10. --Frances Bradburn

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Point; 1 edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439899281
• ISBN-13: 978-0439899284
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maureen Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Like a lot of people who end up writing books, she was always reading. This paid off in the end, but also resulted in her not playing any sports, so she is spectacularly uncoordinated, and is easily injured by harmless household objects, like endtables.

She studied writing and theatrical dramaturgy at Columbia University. Before she could spend all her days writing, Maureen served up hamburgers in the company of mad scientists and talking skeletons in New York, tended bar in Piccadilly Circus, nervously worked alongside live tigers in Las Vegas, and once got mixed up with the entire cast of a major West End musical.

Maureen lives in New York City, and when she is not writing, spends her time in a relentless pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee. If you know where it is, get in touch with her at once.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 1, 2010

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Scarlett Fever (Hardcover)

This book is part of the Suite Scarlett series - which is a book I saw at my local bookstore, but for some reason, never picked up. So, I was a little worried about reading Scarlett Fever first. I need not have worried, as Scarlett Fever can easily be read "out of sequence".

Why? Because these books are highly character driven which means that once you start knowing the characters, the book is a charm to read. This is not to say that the plotline is not there, because it is, however, what really moves this book are the wonderful characters. Although I liked our main character, I was mostly enthralled by how ALL the characters play off each other and with each other.

My favorite character is definitely Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett is now her assistant (and this alone is worth reading the book as silly, silly things happen to Scarlett that will make you cringe, laugh and laugh some more). All the while Scarlett is trying to get through school, forget a romance and find a new romance. Lots going on!!

But as I mentioned, what drives this story is the respect and love that the characters have for each other. There is also alot of humor in this storyline and I loved the interaction between Scarlett and Mrs. Amberson who is quite the character.

I now have to buy the other book in this series to catch up.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Do You Love? How Much Do You Love Them?, November 15, 2010

By 

Erin Johnson "For the Love of Books" (Mankato, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scarlett Fever (Hardcover)

I've been waiting to see what happened to Scarlett at the end of Suite Scarlett for what seems like forever! She and Eric had broken up and she had a job as Mrs. Amberson's assistant. We definitely get to catch up with the entire Martin family, and let me tell you, things get pretty darn crazy!

Scarlett's brother Spencer is still working at being an actor, and when an unexpectedly large opportunity falls into his lap, he has to take it. Unfortunately, the consequences reach his family, but the Martin's are nothing if not supportive!

Little sister Marlene is back from camp, and is being nice to Scarlett. Scarlett knows something is brewing, but little does she imagine just what Marlene has planned!

Lola is working and trying to figure out her place in life when she does something that absolutely no one sees coming, then does something that's more of a Spencer-act. Her choices will spin her family into a tizzy of emotions, but will things be alright in the end?

And then there's our main girl, Scarlett. I love Scarlett. She has personality, depth and is snarky to perfection! Her job with Mrs. Amberson's theatrical agency has her doing dog-walking duty, spying on a fellow classman, and being friendly with someone she isn't particularly too fond of. Of course she's doing this while cyber-stalking Eric, even though she keeps telling herself she'll stop. She can't help that she still really wants to be with him, can she? But then there's Max, her new biology lab partner and brother to her boss's new client. The boy is strange, but yet there's something about him that has Scarlett intrigued...

The ending left me satisfied, yet begging for another book on the Martin family. Hopefully Johnson delivers, and soon!

Notes on the Cover:
I like how the purplish background has a vintage-y feel wallpaper look to it. I also love the key. The key to Scarlett's heart, the key to her home, the key to her boss's home...So many ideas!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first, February 14, 2010

By 

The Book Muncher (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Scarlett Fever (Hardcover)

Scarlett Martin's life is just as crazy as ever. Working for the eccentric agent Mrs. Amberson, formerly a resident of Scarlett's family's hotel, is a little like working in a circus. Tending to an insecure dog, a prissy Broadway star her own age, and all of her boss's whims has Scarlett feeling like a professional juggler. And unfortunately, her work isn't the only thing that's all over the place. Between everything that's going on with family and boys, it seems there's hardly any room left in Scarlett's life for herself. But maybe, this time around, Scarlett will finally be able to figure out everyone's role in her life--and her own--in time to save the day.

This charming sequel to Suite Scarlett is a hilarious and wickedly entertaining read. It's never quite apparent from the first few chapters what the point of the story is, which makes reading a little slow at first, but Johnson's quick wit keeps the reader satisfied until the good stuff. I have to say I enjoyed Scarlett Fever more than its prequel, and I definitely attribute that to this novel's characters. Scarlett, the unassuming heroine of this tale is completely lovable and easy to relate to. I particularly admire her ability to manage her busy life without going insane and her skill as a problem solver. Scarlett's character experiences dramatic growth in this book, from not knowing what she wanted to do with her life to growing into and applying her creating problem solving skills. I don't think Scarlett quite realizes where her life could do even at the end of the story, but that's part of what makes me so excited for the next installment of Scarlett's adventures.

This endearing story appeals to fans of its prequel, Suite Scarlett, as well as Slept Away by Julie Kraut and Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling. I eagerly look forward to the continuation of this series.