7. Airhead by Meg Cabot

Airhead by Meg Cabot
ISBN: 9780545040525
Point, New York, 2008
337 pages

Teaser: Plain computer game playing Emma gets crushed by a falling big screen TV at a superstore opening, just as superstar model Nikki has a brain aneurism. The only solution, transplant Emma’s brain into Nikki’s body and presto, a huge secret and Emma has love interests on her mind and a new body to go after them.

Summary: Emma begins to enjoy being transformed from a tomboy to a bombshell, but finds that it is a lot more work than she would like. She also learns sacrifice and self caring are important. Emma treats others caringly and brings others in her new “society life” down to earth and shows the development of friendships and even love with Christopher. Emma shares her secret transplant, as she can’t pull off the cover girl looks on her own; she needs lots of help to be a girly girl. Emma also shows that it is what’s on the inside, not the outside that counts.

Evaluation: The plot is a bit cheesy, but if you get over the brain transplant, I think everyone at one time or another wish to be someone else. It just happened for Emma. The family relationships are almost overlooked as Emma now pursues her suppressed love interests.

Challenge issues and age recommendation: While drama, drinking, and pressure of the modeling career are present, Emma sets a fairly good example, insisting on going to school. Nikki apparently also did her best to care for her body, as all of the bartenders at the clubs she attends are in on a little secret: a 'Nikki,' the drink she always orders, is actually just plain water! The story gives girls the impression that looks are everything, until Emma comes back around to caring and bringing others closer to her through kindness and caring. I would recommend this book for readers 12 and up.