When fourteen-year-old Katie and her older sister, Michaela, move from New York City to upstate New York, Katie is horrified by the country life-style but is even more shocked when her sister adapts effortlessly, enjoying their new life, unlike Katie. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Two city-slicker sisters who live and breathe ballet must adapt to the country in Friedman's (South Beach) happy confection. Fourteen-year-old Katie Wilder's spirits plummet when her best friend and older sister, Michaela, informs her of their parents' plans to transplant the family from Manhattan to tiny rural Fir Lake, upstate. But things get even worse for Katie when Michaela, secretly delighted to be spared the rigors of ballet training and the enormous expectations of her, immediately adjusts to their new hometown. She finds a boyfriend and even gets elected homecoming queen, leaving Katie feeling abandoned and bewildered. Readers will want to overlook various gaps in logic, particularly in the ballet plot line, because of Friedman's fresh and funny approach to classic themes-the fish out of water, sibling rivalries and jealousy. Katie finds herself hiking up a mountain and alarmingly near a cow, and discovers she can handle both situations with grace. A fashionista, she observes her new classmates' flannel shirts and sensible shoes with curiosity; later, she says, "Despite the overalls Autumn is wearing, and despite her belonging to the Camping Club, knowing that she's probably my first friend in Fir Lake makes me grin." Friedman deftly demonstrates the positives of moving forward and not clinging to the past; she also presents a sister dynamic that many girls-particularly younger sisters-will recognize. Ages 12-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 6 Up-Katie Wilder, 14, is convinced that her family's move from Manhattan to rural upstate New York is the worst thing that could happen. A city girl through and through, she can't imagine living where denim overalls and plaid shirts are the outfits of choice. She and her sister were both ballerinas in New York City. Michaela was the star pupil that Katie always wanted to be, with a place at Julliard after graduation. So when Michaela actually likes and fits in at Fir Lake, Katie feels totally left out. She can't understand what's gotten into her older sister, who's keeping a couple of shattering (for Katie) secrets. Katie is so jealous when Michaela gets a hot boyfriend and is elected homecoming queen that she can hardly stand it. After several months, Katie finally finds a friend and starts liking the small town, which takes the pressure off Michaela to be Katie's everything. Though the conflict seems perhaps a little too weak to carry a 400-page book, and parts of the plot seem totally unrealistic, the story is still likely to be popular. There's sweetness in Friedman's teen world, and some of her characters are delightful. And who can resist a good sister book?-Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Katie and Michaela, the famous Wilder sisters of the New York City Anna Pavola School of Ballet, are city girls, born and bred, until their parents uproot them and move to Fir Lake, a rural Adirondack town. Michaela thrives even without ballet, while Katie mourns her friends, her fashionable wardrobe, her dance community, and her old way of life. Through her complex characters and their responses to the world, Friedman has transformed the traditional YA novel about moving and growing up and away into an authentic, real-life exploration of adaptation and acceptance. Even though Katie and Michaela are sisters, their responses and approaches to their new environment are diametrically opposed: Katie is closed and critical; Michaela is open and interested. And, as they mature in their new situation, their relationship also grows and changes. Friedman gets the push and pull of the sister bond just right in this delightful, funny, insightful journey.--Bradburn, Frances Copyright 2007 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.