cover image Honey Blonde Chica:

Honey Blonde Chica:

Michele Serros. Simon Pulse, $14.95 (298pp) ISBN 978-1-4169-1591-1

Serros (Chicana Falsa, for adults) introduces 15-year-old Evie Gomez, who is unlike the rest of her Mexican-American family. ""They accentuated the Go in Gomez,... Evie felt more of a personal connection to the lagging z as in Gomezzzzzzzz."" Living comfortably in Río Estates, 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Evie hangs out with her friends Raquel, Mondo, Jose and Alex. The five call themselves Flojos, for their common desire ""to do nothing."" (The English translation for flojo is lazy.) When Evie's childhood friend Dee Dee returns to Río Estates after a four-year absence (while she was living in Mexico), she upsets Evie and Raquel's ""best friend"" relationship. The new Dee Dee, now called Dela, represents everything Evie and Raquel despise-a Sangro, a ""helpless, giggling blonde with the too-tight 'hot' clothing."" But Evie becomes fascinated with Dela and her Sangro friends, and transforms herself into a ""Honey Blonde chica."" When Evie catches Jose, Raquel's boyfriend, with one of the Sangros-""practically having sex"" in a photo booth-Evie's loyalty to Raquel and the Flojos wins out. The heroine's blossoming romance with Alex helps readers to build sympathy for her, as she deepens into a likable character. The characters' attitudes, fragile friendships and emphasis on brand names give them some resemblance to the Gossip Girl crowd. Ages 14-up.