In her debut book The Daughters, Joanna Philbin introduced us to three best-friends: Carina, daughter of one of the richest men in the world; Hudson, daughter of a famous pop star; and Lizzie, daughter of a super model.
Whereas the first book focused on Lizzie’s rise and fall in the modeling world, The Daughters Break the Rules focuses on Carina and the consequences following her rebellious act of sending a damaging memo to the Smoking Gun regarding her father; almost resulting in a one way ticket to California and boarding school.
Though she escaped going to boarding school, Carina has another problem—she’s been cut off. No more shopping sprees and bottomless bank accounts. Now Carina will have to make it on $20 a week, take public transportation to school and even her iPhone has been replaced with a dinosaur from the 90’s.
Living on $20 in NYC is next to impossible, but Carina is bent on proving her father wrong and that she doesn’t need his money—that is until the very hot, Carter McLean invites her to the Swiss Alps for a ski trip.
Because of her father’s contacts, the snobby Ava Elting asks Carina to help plan the Snow Flake Ball charity dance. To which she agrees if she’s paid $1000; despite knowing she can’t ask her father for help.
Finding out that none of the top tier people Ava wanted are willing to work for free, Carina gets creative and in the process meets Alex Suarez, an artsy DJ from the lower East Side. Through Alex she learns a lot about self-respect, the importance of family and that sometimes the best things in life are free.
Once again Joanna Philbin does a great job keeping everything toned down and fairly realistic. Philbin expertly handles the evolution of Carina as she develops into a more mature and responsible person, without making it seem contrived and convenient for the plot.
As usual, there are important lessons to be learned—always be honest, don’t take your loved-ones for granted and materialistic and shallow doesn’t look good on anybody.
The Daughters Take the Stage is due out May 2011.
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Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Poppy; First Edition (November 2, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0316049030