Second Skin

F-list sophomore Samantha (Sam) Klein discovers the secret to popularity in Wollman's (Switched) whimsical novel. All she has to do is slip into a different skin. Literally. Sam discovers the magical ""skin"" when she spies her new neighbor, ""it girl"" Kylie, taking it off in her bedroom (""I actually saw something-something flesh-colored-slip down the perfect column of her body""). Unable to resist the temptation of usurping Kylie's social status, Sam steals the bodysuit. The first time she tries it on, it fits perfectly and Sam instantly starts feeling more confident. However, as time passes, the synthetic skin becomes increasingly restrictive, both physically and metaphorically. Sam's social climbing, which coincides with Kylie's fall, is smartly depicted, showing both the benefits of being popular (snagging a cute boy friend) and the pitfalls (being too busy to hang out with old friends). Even though the moral-being the queen bee isn't all fun and games-is predictable, the narrative and escapades depicted here are fresh enough to provide laugh-aloud fun as well as some thought-provoking moments. Ages 12-up.