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Woes Of Teen Stardom Hit Home

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By MEG WAGNER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 15, 2008

"When You Wish," by Kristen Harmel (Delacorte Press, $15.99)
Romantic fiction writer Kristen Harmel has switched audiences and crafted her first novel for teens and young adults.

"When You Wish" centers on Star Beck, a teen pop sensation who plays sold-out concerts, acts in a successful TV series and graces the covers of the trendiest magazines. But despite her millions of adoring fans and fat paychecks, Star's life is less than perfect.

Her relationship with her mother is a publicity stunt, going from rocky to perfect as soon as the paparazzi appear. And when Star discovers her mom has been hiding a letter from her long-lost father, the situation gets worse.

In a moment of rage, Star dyes her hair and catches the first train to St. Petersburg, hoping to find her dad. Suddenly, she is living a normal life. She buys a used car. She eats foods her diet once forbade. She even gets a job aside from her stage career. But while she's trying to find her father, she really finds herself.

Set in the Tampa Bay area, the book makes references to local spots that are sure to delight the native reader. The Columbia Restaurant, the Howard Frankland Bridge and the University of South Florida make cameos.

The book is fast-paced and sure to keep younger readers entertained with it's larger-than-life plot. Although the story can be a little stereotypically dramatic at times, especially when a teenage romance is thrown into the mix, it is by no means predictable.

The wit embedded into the writing, and rapid twists of plot keep the book exciting throughout.

Meg Wagner will be a senior at Chamberlain High School.

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