Pat Trattles (Children's Literature)
With a collage of headshots of “Barbie Doll” type young women on the jacket cover, at first glance this seems to be another beauty book aimed at teenage girls. This is a shame, because it is really much deeper than that. Containing eleven short stories by eleven different authors, including Margaret Peterson Haddix, Joseph Bruchac, and Joyce Sweeney among others, it is more about transforming and redefining oneself from the inside. And although there is not a male headshot in the bunch, the stories themselves could easily appeal to both male and female readers. In fact, teenage boys as protagonists are featured just as much as teenage girls. The subject matter of the stories in the collection is as varied as the authors who wrote them. It ranges from the laugh-a-minute adventures of a full blooded American teenage boy posing as a French exchange student, mangled English slang and all, to the more somber tale of a poor immigrant girl at Ellis Island who reluctantly endures the makeover efforts of a group of well-meaning, yet misguided Ladies Aide Society members. But regardless of the subject matter, each story deals with the universal teen themes of fitting in, peer pressure, and living up to others’ expectations. And in one way or another, each teen hero comes to a new understanding and acceptance of self for the unique individual he or she is. 2005, Dutton Children’s Books, $17.99. Ages 12 up.

Courtney Cameron (Children's Literature)
These eleven short stories portray teenage life and the multitude of difficulties each teen goes through. Though some of the stories have fairy-tale images, most expose the challenges of teens' relationships with family, friends, lovers, and strangers. For example, in Saldala, Jr.'s story, "Not Much to It," Becky, a shy and unpopular high school/beauty school graduate, analyzes her former relationship with the popular girls from high school. One girl in particular, Chela, caused Becky a lot of anguish, and when she reappears, Becky is completely consumed by her thoughts and emotions about their relationship. In Marilyn Singer's story, "Bedhead Red, Peekaboo Pink," a relationship unfolds between Tom, an unpopular and self-conscious boy, and a beautiful blind girl, Cara, who does not want pity from anyone. All of the stories provide insight into a world of change that does not involve plastic surgery, clothing, and sex appeal, but rather a focus on the inner spirit and conscience that underlie all behavior. This text is an excellent source for young readers to find a way to express feelings and reflect on their choices. 2005, Penguin, $17.99. Ages 14 to 18.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 16))
It isn't often that a book of short stories doesn't hold a clunker or two. Singer has avoided that pitfall with this superb collection. Every story is a winner. The combined talents of some of the finest YA writers, such as Margaret Peterson Haddix and Joyce Sweeney, spin 11 stories with a common theme: a makeover of some kind wherein the heroes find their own unique selves. From an avant-garde French club student to boys in the hood, and even including a lovesick owl, the entries dip into Native American storytelling as well as common high-school adolescent angst, ending with an affecting story of immigration. They have humor, drama, insight and heart-touching warmth, all delivering the moral for which every teen yearns: Yes, you can change; you can become better. A real joy from start to finish. 2005, Dutton, 272p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 12 up. Starred Review. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Rachel Copenhaver (Kutztown Book Review, Spring 2008)
These short stories by notable YA authors are not the typical Hollywood makeover magic to entrance and captivate the girl, or boy, next door. There are a few Cinderella-type stories, but just enough to keep teens turning the pages. Mostly, though, the selections reflect the vulnerability of teen relationships with family, friends, and strangers. This is a great book which includes 11 original short stories about teens transforming within to find their true selves. I loved how positive all the stories were and how easily teens could relate to them all in their own way. Although boys may be turned off by the cover, it truly is a book which both boys and girls can find inspiration in. Category: Short Stories/Fiction. 2005, Dutton Children’s Book, $17.99. Ages 11 to 18.

Karen Coates, Reviewer (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2006 (Vol. 59, No. 5))
Though the cover art and the title suggest that this collection will contain the stuff of reality TV, the makeovers found here have less to do with hair, makeup, and wardrobe and more to do with character and circumstance transformations. Of the eleven original stories by authors such as Joseph Bruchac, Terry Trueman, Joyce Sweeney, and Margaret Peterson Haddix, more than half feature boys, some who seek ways to impress girls, others trying to work through difficult relationships with their parents or others they feel responsible for. Two of the stories feature unusual innovations on traditional tales, one is historical fiction, and the others take place in contemporary urban and suburban settings, from homeless shelters to schools, malls, beauty shops, funeral parlors, and bowling alleys. Singer has paid attention to diversity in terms of race, class, and disability in putting together her collection, and most of the stories include a strong affirmation of retaining one’s honesty in the midst of transformation. The stories are more usefully representative than literarily satisfying, though, with message predominating over style, making many entries more purposive than enjoyable. Nonetheless, they may prove useful as discussion starters in reading and writing groups, or just as thought-starters for young adults undergoing their own transforming experiences. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2005, Dutton, 199p, $17.99. Grades 7-10.

Caitlin Augusta (VOYA, December 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 5))
To its credit, this collection boasts Margaret Petersen Haddix, Terry Trueman, Joseph Bruchac, and Joyce Sweeney as contributors. The stories describe a variety of cultural perspectives, including that of Native American and Latino characters, and an equal number of stories about girls and boys, making it well rounded. René Saldaña's Not Much to It, a story about a beautician trying to escape from the A-crowd, loses momentum and falls flat at the end, whereas Peni Griffin's Vision Quest, in which a teen seeks meaning in an urban landscape, seems out of context and motivation. Singer's contribution about a homely boy and his blind date, Bedhead Red, Peekaboo Pink, holds its own, and Jess Mowry's The Resurrection maintains excellent dramatic tension, but the entire collection is not as solid. More than one of the offerings, including Norma Howe's Bazooka Joe and the Chaos Kid, would be better as novels or need tighter plotting to succeed in a short-story format. The language and content-Evelyn Coleman's Lucky Six is one example-makes this collection best suited to older teens, as there is a moderate amount of swearing and sexual description throughout the book. The collection suffers, however, from lamentable cover art-featuring tiled mannequin heads-that no boy would touch, and the inconsistent quality of the writing makes it an additional purchase, except where short stories are in demand. Teens may find these transformation stories illuminating; however, discerning readers would do better to seek out these fine authors' other works. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Dutton, 272p., $16.99. Ages 15 to 18.