Emme is a doormat to the ambitious Sophie, who probably started out as a nice person but has become cynical due to lack of recognition and is cynically using her best friend since childhood – until some nasty text messages force Emme to face the truth. Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of four interconnected students, the main character is Emme, who is kind and eager to help her friends. My Impression: I was in the mood for artistic teenagers and this was a fun book that reminded me of Glee. The real fun is watching these talented student-artists perform and achieve! However, it also brings out some cut-throat behavior as the seniors focus on performing and applying to college, and friendships that ebb and flow as the year progresses. Senior year at New York’s High School of the Creative and Performing Arts means key opportunities to impress the school’s alumni, often in prestigious jobs, as well as other VIPs. Ethan is a talented musician and in a band with Emme and two of their male friends: the three boys resent Sophie because they know she is using Emme, although warm-hearted Emme can’t see this. Carter is a former child star wondering if acting is his future and has begun to realize that Sophie is dating him only because he is a celebrity. Sophie is a very ambitious singer determined to get the recognition she feels she deserves before she graduates. Emme is a talented songwriter whose songs are usually performed by her friend Sophie.

Description: Emme, Sophie, Carter and Ethan are seniors at an exclusive performing arts high school in New York.

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg