Being Nikki (Airhead, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Meg Cabot (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—In Airhead (Scholastic, 2008), Nikki Howard has the life most girls only dream of—she is a drop-dead gorgeous supermodel living it up in one of Manhattan's most luxurious buildings while partying with the super-famous, the beautiful, and the mega-rich. However, it isn't actually Nikki Howard who's enjoying it all. Emerson Watts's brain is in her body due to an accident that left the real Nikki brain dead and Em suffering a fatal accident at the Stark Megastore for which Nikki is the advertising face. Stark employs surgeons to perform a risky and expensive brain transplant on Em, and she must continue working for Stark Enterprises or her family will lose everything. Worst of all, she can't even tell her best friend and longtime crush Christopher who she really is. In this book, Nikki's brother turns up asking for his sister's help in finding their mysteriously missing mother, and Em realizes that there is a very dangerous side to Stark Enterprises. Em's narrative emphasizes the contrast between an ordinary teen and the high-stakes life of fame; she must reconcile a genuine longing for her best friend with the exuberance of over-the-top romantic gestures. Teens will relate to her down-to-earth self-deprecating humor and look forward to the next installment in Em/Nikki's life.—Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The eponymously titled first volumein the Airhead series detailed 16-year-old Em’s experiences after her brain was transplanted into supermodel Nikki’s body. The second book climaxes when Em has the breakthrough moment she has longed for. Part romance, part crime thriller, and part comedy (with a splash of celebrity culture), the latest novel blends them all in an entertaining mix. The story turns in some surprising directions, but Em’s first-person narrative is as engaging as in the previous book. The final, heart-squeezing plot twist will have fans lining up for the promised sequel. Grades 7-10. --Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Point (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545040566
• ISBN-13: 978-0545040563
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #123,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #41 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Cabot, Meg

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another hit, May 11, 2009

By	The Book Muncher - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Being Nikki (Airhead, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Being the face of Stark Enterprises isn't easy, especially if the brain behind that face doesn't really belong to the body it's in. But that's Em Watt's predicament, for better or worse, and she has to learn to deal with that. But juggling high school and a modeling career aren't her only problems, and neither are all of Nikki's ex-boyfriends or Lulu's upcoming holiday party. Because now, Nikki's brother has appeared with news of his mother's disappearance, Em's crush and used-to-be best friend Christopher has made it his mission in life to take down the company Em's new face represents, Em's sister is dead set on going to cheerleading camp, and Em has no idea how to convince Christopher that there's more to this supermodel than meets the eye. But unfortunately for Em, there's also a lot more to her new life than meets the eye--and this time, it's for worse.

Cabot does not disappoint with her original and creative mystery sequel to the already fabulous Airhead. Being Nikki succeeds on so many levels and is just such an enjoyable read. Protagonist Em is fun to read about, is witty and sweet, and has such a good heart. Her desires to help people don't stop at her immediate family but extend even to some people who don't even like her. She has such drive and determination that is admirable in her search for the truth. But these qualities are just the basis for a good story. A well written character would be nothing without an equally well crafted plot, like the one Cabot has created in Being Nikki. Cabot appeals to a large audience by offering glimpses into the ritzy life of the rich and famous, the not improbably future of science, technology, and medicine, and the sometimes nefarious activities of the corporately powerful. This leads the reader on a sometimes crazy, sometimes dangerous, and entirely satisfying journey with Em to find the truth behind what started this whole mess. Occasionally, little details and events seem to appear out of nowhere, but overall, this story is easy to follow, making for a fantastically unique, suspenseful, and unpredictable mystery readers won't be able to put down.

All fans of Cabot's writing, particularly in Airhead and Avalon High, won't want to miss Being Nikki. I certainly will be eagerly waiting for the next installment in this series, Runaway. Fans of Airhead and Being Nikki may also like And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe I have to wait a year for the third novel., May 10, 2009

By	xoasfxo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Being Nikki (Airhead, Book 2) (Hardcover)

This book was fantastic. I loved Airhead and I read it in two days. Being Nikki took me even less time. The only unfortunate part of this book was that it ended. And, according to Meg Cabot's website, I have to wait until May 3, 2010 to read Runaway, the third novel in the addictive and fabulous Airhead series. Some books are predictable, and these books are not. I never in a million years would have guessed what was going to happen in the end. The book made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. I would read them again, except that my friend already took my copy of Airhead after hearing my praises for it. The problem is now that I don't feel like reading anything else; I want to stay immersed in Em/Nikki's world as long as I can.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Second Installment in the Airhead Series, May 5, 2009

By	Mint910 (USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Being Nikki (Airhead, Book 2) (Hardcover)

*SPOILERS from Airhead*

Being Nikki basically picks up where Airhead left off. Emerson is trying to lead her own life and Nikki's at the same time. Going to high school but also working as a model. How does this girl have time for anything?? I think it's beyond hilarious watching Em try and be herself in the body of a teen supermodel, talk about polar opposites. But you know, I feel like she eased into the transition a little easier than she could of. Especially where the boys are concerned. She sure learned to use Nikki's moves to her advantage a little quicker that I would have expected. I would have liked to see Em's awkwardness explored a little more.

While the beginning of the book seemed like just a continuation of Airhead, (the first book in the series) everything sets off on a new path with the introduction of Nikki's brother Steven and the case of his missing mother. It opens up a can of worms leading to a lot of questions and conspiracies and answers! (yay answers!)

I really like how all the players from the first book remain (Frida- Em's sister, Gabriel Luna- the British singer/songwriter, Christopher- Em's best friend/crush etc, Brandon- Nikki's boyfriend and LuLu- Nikki's Celebutaunte roomie) but several new characters are introduced into the mix. Oh my goodness, by the end of the book I was practically screaming with excitement, that was by far my favorite part of the series so far!

Em continued to repeat herself a lot in this book, just like in Airhead. Since I haven't read Cabot's other series I can't say if this is just something she does. Anyone know?

The ending sets up a really great plotline for the third book in the series, Runaway and I cannot wait to see what happens next! All in all a strong second installment in the Airhead series!