Million Dollar Mates: Catwalk Queen by Cathy Hopkins (Children's, 11 years +, 10/10E)

July 2011, Simon and Schuster

240 pages, paperback & eBook

Review copy 

Themes: friendship, mean/spiteful/jealous girls, school life, fashion world idea of beauty, real beauty, beauty mistakes, having to put on a brave face, finding out who you are, taking a risk, strength of family love, being used,

Content: teen romance (mild), a lot of laughs, pack of tissues needed

Summary from Simon and Schuster

A pop diva comes to live at Porchester Park and is involved in a modelling competition. Jess is encouraged to enter too. But does she really want to be a catwalk queen?

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Jess...she is still a drama queen but slowly she is figuring out what others think doesn't matter - it's who she is that's important. She finds that hard to put into practice but does so at the end and produces a memorable school show. 

Is there another character who deserves a mention? Yes - Pia. She has to face the music when a beauty therapy treatment goes wrong with her and Jess, but she does so with a huge dose of humour. 

How evil/Nasty is the enemy? Self doubt and negative thoughts attack everyone, and when backed up by a mean girl's comments Jess is made to feel worse than dirt. 

Are there lots of plot twists and surprises? It felt so good watching one character get her comeuppance. Plus I was surprised at those who pitched in and helped Jess in her hours (there was more than one) of need. 

My favourite part was....when Jess was able to smile over Pia's abduccted by aliens excuse for why they looked different at school. 

Find out more about Cathy and her books over on her website.

Suggested read

Definitely check out the other books in the series which include book 2, Paparazzi Princess