The Market is the familiar makeover plotline with a few unique twists that helped to keep it fresh and interesting.

Nothing eye-opening or spectacular, but I thought it was pretty creative. I don't know a lot about stocks and I'm not exactly sure if it all made sense - but I had fun reading about Kate's transformation. Somehow the Millbank Social Stock Market was actually a gambling contest where betting on the ordinary girl will become extraordinary would be a savvy investment to win over $25,000. Ironically the prettiest, most popular girls were considered conservative stocks.

The love triangle between Kate, her crush, and quiet boy in the corner seemed pretty typical. Quiet boy may seem perfect and funny, but forgive Kate as she overlooks you every time her crush comes into her line of vision. However, things got a little confusing for me as Kate tried to figure out which boy she liked more. I think J.M. Steele meant to do that on purpose, and I suppose it makes the scenario more believable. I mean, if you had to choose 2 boys, I am sure they would be confused and vulnerable as well.

I think The Market would have worked better as a movie - better visualization of Kate and the other "stocks." On the other hand, it probably works better in print since you can imagine your own queen bees as #1 stock. ( )

This book was very clever. The main character, Kate, discovers an underground social stock market that includes all the girls in the senior class...and she's in the bottom half. Her friends and she decide to try and fix the game and they make Kate's stock go from junk bond to blue chip in under four weeks. (makeover time!) Of course, they also learn some good lessons along the way. totally fun! ( )

When Kate is tipped off to her rank of 71 in the Millbank Social Stock Market, she soon becomes determined to improve her ranking. When she and her friends develop a business plan and invest in the bet that is the stock market, her stock starts to rise and their portfolio goes through the roof. When she finds herself friendly with the school's queen bee and catches the eye of the most popular guy in school, things seem to good to be true. This book has a lot in common with movies like Can't Buy Me Love and She's All That. It was pretty predictable, but enjoyable light reading none the less. ( )