Screen Test [Hardcover]

David Klass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

While starring in her first feature film, sixteen-year-old Liz is dazzled by Los Angeles and a charming and handsome leading man and wonders what it will be like to return to her normal life in New Jersey.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10. Elizabeth Wheaton's life is too good to be true. At 16, she is so good-looking that boys she doesn't even know ask her to the prom. When, as a favor to her nerdy next-door neighbor, she takes a part in a short student film he makes, two Hollywood producers appear at her home and convince her to come to California for the summer to make a movie. It seems that she has a certain quality on screen plus natural acting ability. She goes, with her parents' blessing, and stays with her mother's college friend. She leaves behind her shy but genuine boyfriend, Eric; but she soon discovers that her leading man is none other than America's heartthrob, Tommy Fletcher. After the movie is a wrap, Liz has another film offer and a top-flight agent who wants her as a client. With her future looking brighter than the California sun, Liz has to decide whether to go back to New Jersey and be a regular teen or to stay in Hollywood and become one of the beautiful people. Unfortunately, Tommy turns out to be the stereotypical cad who gets his due with a stereotypical slap on the cheek, and Liz hurries home. Despite her trials, it is hard to feel much empathy for the heroine. Her life is just too perfect; she never even worries over a zit. Still, the story moves along nicely, and for any girl who has a crush on one of the guys on Melrose Place, Liz's summer makes for an interesting vicarious adventure.?Marilyn Heath, Greenwood High School, SC
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Can a high-school sophomore from New Jersey keep her head and her heart when Hollywood calls? Liz can't understand why guys are suddenly hitting on her, but their motives become clearer when, shortly after she reluctantly appears in a student film, a pair of sleek producers offer her a lead in their Next Big Movie, to be shot in California. Off she goes. Everyone agrees that though she is untutored, Liz has ``a quality'' in front of the camera; behind the scenes, her leading man, hunky rising star Tommy Fletcher, plies her with compliments and takes her on a whirlwind tour of La-La-Land. Although much of what is covered here has been endlessly recycled in paperback romances and television sitcoms, Klass (Danger Zone, 1996, etc.) demonstrates abilities to depart from the sports stories for which he is better known, and to do his homework. He offers eye-opening glimpses of the Southern California scene as well as workaday life on the set, but this is mostly a tale of twin seduction: Tommy works on Liz, but so does the siren song of stardom. While Klass's protagonist here isn't much different, except physically, from his male heroes, she demonstrates the inner strength to cope with challenges overt and subtle, and to make savvy choices in the clutch. (Fiction. 12-15) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic; 1st edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059048592X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590485920
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,517,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brief Summary and Teaching Review, October 22, 2002

By 

Rebekah and Lori (Oxford, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screen Test (Hardcover)

Liz Wheaton, a high school sophomore from New Jersey, has been given a chance that young women only dream about. After acting in a small, independent film, she is discovered and asked to move to Hollywood to star in an upcoming movie. After long talks with her friends and boyfriend, Eric, and long walks with her parents, Liz decides to go for it. After all, she could make more money in one summer than her parents could in an entire year. Upon her arrival in California, she meets her gorgeous co-star, Tommy Fletcher, who not only showers her with compliments, but also tries to convince her that she is made for Hollywood. After attending glamorous star-studded parties, spending numerous hours at the beach, and falling for Tommy, Liz begins to think she does belong in Hollywood. However, after an unexpected event, Liz is forced to question her morals and future life as a Hollywood actress. She slowly discovers that the Hollywood lifestyle is a façade and that people can't change and they shouldn't be made to try. Upon this realization, Liz decides to turn down fame and bright lights for the comfort of her New Jersey life. This is an exciting story about a young woman's desire to experience the unfamiliar lifestyle of a Hollywood actress, while teaching the reader about working though difficult decisions. This book would hold the interest of students in 7th and 8th grade. Teachers and parents could use this book to promote the study of geography, problem solving, theater, positive communication, and social relationships.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So perfect!!!, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Screen Test (Hardcover)

i read this book at school and could not put it down. i love romance. i really think the ending could have been better but other than that it's worth buying. i think i just might buy it and read it over and over until i memorize it!!! ENJOY!!!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book!!, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Screen Test (Hardcover)

This book is my all time favorite. I read it in my library and i liked it so much that i bought it and read it over and over again many many many times.