Violet On the Runway by Melissa Walker

Violet likes to think of herself as a wallflower. She's a senior who's never had a boyfriend and has a grand total of two friends. She just feels plain and ordinary. Nothing about her stands out, except for the fact that she is freakishly tall. So when a representitive from Tryst modeling agency asks her to fly up to New York for a consultation, she agrees. Little does she know that this decision will change her in so many ways. Violet's first trip to New York is a hit, in fact she booked for four shows during Fashion Week! She is overjoyed and is finally seeing herself as just a little bit out-of-the-ordinary. Fashion Week is a hit. Violet can't contain herself and when she walks down the runway she flashes a huge smile, which soon becomes her trademark. She does such a great job that she pushes her nemesis, Veronica, out of the prized closing slot of the show. As Fashion Week draws to an end, Violet rises to stardom. She's finally found a friend, and maybe even a boyfriend. Once Fashion Week finishes she relunctantly comes home to good, old Chapel Hill High School where she is profusely greeted, not just by her 2 best friends, but by the ever so popular BK (bees knees) girls. Violet is loving all the attention, but she let's what's really important slide. Thinking her modeling career has slowed down, Violet is shocked to hear that she is still hot in New York, and Tryst wants her to come live up in New York. After much persuasion her parents agree and Violet graduates high school early and packs her bags for the Big Apple. Busy schedules and sharing a one-bedroom apartment with four other girls, including Veronica, excites Violet at first, but will the spark soon die off.

This was an exceptionally good book. Violet is one of the most down-to-earth characters I've met. Yes, being a model can sometimes make her full of herself, but she seems like such a friendly and honest person. This story makes me realize that we all have our doubts. Whether it be if were good enough, pretty enough, or smart enough. I think Melissa Walker does a great job sharing the message that we all have our talents, and faults. Also that it is important for us to be nice to everyone, because we don't know their circumstances. I also loved all the fashion in the book. I myself am not a fashion-junkie, but I think it's fun to learn something new about pop culture. All the fashion lingo was fun to read and also I was allowed a sneak peak into the world of modelling. This a great book for any teen girl, especially one who has ever thought she was not good enough, but turns out to be superior!