Plan B by Jenny O'Connell Young adult 288 pages MTV March 2006 Paperback     Plan B gets an “A” for a clever plot. When a Hollywood heartthrob enrolls in Vanessa’s school, that is enough to rock her world - but finding out he is her half-brother changes her life forever. Vanessa is today’s typical high school senior, full of the sassiness and insecurities that characterize this age group. After graduating, she plans on spending the summer in Europe before joining her boyfriend in a prestigious Eastern college. But everything comes to a crashing halt when one of today’s hottest teen idols joins her family as her half-brother. Sharing the senior year spotlight with him calls for some major adjustments in her life. Author Jenny O’Connell captures the emotional changes in Vanessa’s life with some genuine dialogue and actions. Readers will sense her boldness, as well as the real fears that make up her world. Although an intelligent young woman, she is sometimes ruled by her heart, making her a vulnerable and sympathetic character. It is obvious the author is a skilled writer, able to show the many complicated facets of Vanessa’s personality. However, the profanity and the implied acceptance of premarital sex cheapens the storyline and detracts from the clever plot. Readers will be interested to see how a Hollywood bad boy fits into the halls of a typical high school. The closing pages offer an insightful look at the change in the relationships between the main characters and the motivation behind their behavior. High school seniors will recognize the urgency of making plans for the future, but they will also recognize that life may lead them in different and wonderful new directions.     web reviews   Joyce Handzo/2006 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)