Everybody Knows Your Name

Through alternating perspectives, Magnolia, an introverted 17-year-old singer, and Ford, who is trying to escape a family with "a real close relationship with local law enforcement," reveal what happens when they both get chosen for an American Idol%E2%80%93style television show and fall in love. After Magnolia learns that Ford has told her (and the show's fans) a pretty big lie, she decides to ice him out. Of course, they still have to continue competing against one another while living in a mansion with their fellow contestants. Though the reality-show premise is well-trodden territory, and neither the show nor the other competitors are all that fleshed out, both protagonists grow in notable ways (especially Magnolia, who learns to see others in less black-and-white terms), and Siegel (The Kid Table) and first-time novelist Bradshaw create some steamy scenes for the characters. Like many actual reality shows, attention-grabbing secondary characters and storylines keep the story moving, but without contributing much substance. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. Agent: Douglas Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Mar.)