VIOLA IN REEL LIFE is a straightforwardly charming book about learning to survive on your own. Adriana Trigiani's YA debut is irresistible and chaste, perfect for readers of all ages.

Viola has a certain amount of spark and wit that I admire. She is always ready with a snarky comment--courtesy of her New York upbringing, says she--but she remains an adorably vulnerable girl, on her own for the first time in her life.

There are some aspects of this book that require some suspension of disbelief. For example, it's pretty remarkable that a 14-year-old already knows what she wants to do with her life. Furthermore, her dealings with boys, particularly the easy way that Jared comes so smoothly into her life, are aspects that take away from the believability of this book. Through awkward plot points--or lack thereof--however, Viola's dealings with her roommates, family, old friends, and potential love interests are realistic, and thus endearing.

I really enjoyed being with Viola for her freshman year at Prefect Academy. Despite the lack of interesting plot, Viola herself is appealing, and readers will enjoy following her through this period of growth. The ending suggests the possibility of a sequel, which I wouldn't mind at all. VIOLA IN REEL LIFE is an agreeable addition to the world of MG and YA realistic fiction.

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Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com

Viola Chesterson has been "dumped" at the Prefect Academy for Young Women in South Bend, Indiana - a long way from home in Brooklyn, New York.

Her freshman year of high school seems like it's going to be a terrible one. But luckily, with the help of her three roommates and the video camera that she always carries around with her, she not only survives the year (and her first boyfriend), but learns that sometimes family can be more than just the people you're related to.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun to read about what boarding school life would be like for a normal kid, not just a rich one. I liked all of the roommates - when I first started the book, I expected them to not get along and to dislike them. But the author took a different route and made all of the girls nice and friendly.

I also enjoyed the whole film aspect of the story. I thought the short film Viola makes at the end was a great idea. The only thing I didn't like was that sometimes Viola seemed a little immature. I know that she was only fourteen years old, but some of the things she thought and said just seemed a little young for her age.

Overall, though, this was a fun young adult read!

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