Literally

Á la the film Adaptation, Keating (Dreamology) inserts a fictional version of herself into her entertaining second novel. Seventeen-year-old Annabelle’s life is on track: her family lives comfortably in Venice Beach, and she’s heading to Columbia University. When she learns that her parents are separating and selling their house, her sense of security is disrupted, but this discomfort is nothing compared to what she learns from a visiting author at her school—Lucy Keating. The writer informs Annabelle that she is merely a character in the book she’s working on, and that Annabelle’s life is being shaken up in order for her character to grow. Keating also introduces Will, a boy who is perfect for Annabelle—at least on paper—but Annabelle is increasingly drawn to her brother’s charmingly imperfect friend Elliot. Keating sustains the clever conceit throughout, creating a tug-of-war between Annabelle and her creator that highlights both Annabelle’s frustrations and the author’s insecurities. Avid readers will enjoy the playful suggestion that although characters are inventions of their authors, they also take on lives of their own. An Alloy Entertainment property. Ages 13–up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park Literary & Media. (Apr.)