Airhead

Unlike her starry-eyed sister, down-to-earth Em Watts isn't thrilled to be at Stark Megastore's star-studded opening, especially since her best friend and secret crush, Christopher, can't stop drooling over teen modeling sensation and Stark representative, Nikki Howard. Just as Em wonders how Nikki can captivate people so, she suffers an accident that sends her to a Manhattan hospital with life-altering injuries that intimately intertwine both women forever - her brain has been surgically transplanted into Nikki's body. This bizarre new relationship with Nikki forces Em, a self-identifying feminist, to reevaluate her life views and slowly to accept Nikki as more than just an airhead. Although quick to set up the accident and its repercussions, the text slows down to an even pace, introducing many juicy issues to be explored in the upcoming sequel, especially with respect to nefarious corporate activities. Although it relies on a somewhat far-fetched premise, the text's abundant references to current pop culture and Em's witty character keep this read both grounded and fun. (Fiction. YA) (Kirkus Reviews)