This book is described as "Edgy Christian YA lit." I could see how some teen/tween girls would like it. I found it painful- in writing, plot, and substance. The Christian piece is definitely there, as the models are often "praying for" one another and "learning how to be a good Christian," and Taylor even finds Jesus at the detox/rehab center... To me, the eating disorder was wayyyyy too simplified. DJ notices that Kriti isn't eating much and is exercising a lot. She and her friends do an "intervention," where they all take off their shirts and point out all of their flaws. Kriti realizes she is thin and they all go out for hot fudge sundaes and fries (all in the course of about 4 pages). Blech. I have a few comments about the Carter House Girls series...1) I really like this series. New York Debut is #6 in the series and even though I have missed a couple in the middle I can still enjoy the most recent addition, and enjoy it I did!2) I need to make clear that the Carter House Girls is for YA, but not all YA (young adults). My almost 13 year old is not ready for this series. Period. The characters are diverse and interesting and cover all spectrums and I love the concept. 6 girls from various backgrounds come to Carter House to live while they go to a local high school. While at Carter House they learn about fashion, poise, manners, etc... or they are supposed to. Sounds good right. So why is it not right for my daughter yet? Melody Carlson deals with real issues in these books. Sadly, they really are real issues, but not issues that my daughter has been exposed to yet and I want to keep it that way for awhile longer. So these books will wait for her patiently on my shelf for the time being.3) So what are some of these issues? Well, the main character, DJ, is a Christian but most of those around her (including her Grandma, Mrs. Carter) are not. Some of the issues dealt with in the books I have read include anorexia, reputations (as in sexual reputations), boyfriends, drinking... in this particular book, one of the girls is coming back from the rehab she checked herself into in the last book. So let me clarify that Melody deals with these issues wonderfully. But at this point my daughter wouldn't even know what rehab is.I definitely recommend this series for high school girls in public school, even college girls and women like myself, but not for the younger girls that haven't been exposed to some of this yet. Just use your common sense and enjoy!
