Deceptively intelligent, snarky and experiencing painful self-discovery describes Morgan's journey in a fish-out-of-water environment. After nearly dying from a drug overdose, starlet Morgan leaves extended rehab to be exiled to a year long stay in Ft. Wayne, Indiana with a high school friend of her mother. Following her adjustments, misadventures, painful learning and struggles to figure out how to be real, make for a very enjoyable read. Her near slip and the way she processes it are pretty accurate. Altogether a neat read. ( )

The Starlet of this novel is turning down her stardom after a near death experience. She is going to go live with her Moms friend and change her whole identity, from rich and famous star to a normal small town girl. Sure, its challenging to have to pretend your someone your not. Especially when you start making close friends and a boyfriend. One other thing, why are you not popular? It sure could get sticky for this famous movie star!

Lindsay Lohan should go into hiding in Nowhere, U.S.A. just like the main character in this book, a Hollywood starlet who almost OD'd and just got out of 6 months of rehab. This book reminded me of that Meg Cabot book where a hot teen star goes undercover for research and only the main character knows his true identity. Yes, I read US Weekly and yes, these kind of books are fun for me. I'm not afraid to admit it. ( )

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–This tell-all journal-style story is nearly as amusing and compelling as Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries and Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicolson series (both HarperCollins), but the subject matter and language are for a more mature audience. Morgan Carter, Hollywood child-star-rehab-has-been, is sent to Fort Wayne, IN. In the guise of Claudia Miller, high school junior transfer student, she is in the custody of a recently divorced, close family friend. Morgan/Claudia's journal entries slowly reveal the painful details of her life: hitting rock-bottom after nearly dying from a drug overdose, rehab in a cushy facility, and being raped by a costar. Her banishment is intended to provide time and space for her to stay clean and sober to lead up to a triumphant comeback. Struggling with school life, she meets a somewhat geeky, yet likable group of students. She also learns how to shop, dress, and act like a normal teenager. As Morgan's feelings for her new friends grow, she finds herself having to keep careful note of who knows what–fact or fiction–about her prior life. At times, Morgan's mind and voice seem too adult–even considering a Hollywood upbringing. Not all teen readers will get the irony and movie references, but this engaging read with a promised sequel will be popular nonetheless.–Suzanne Gordon, Richards Middle School, Lawrenceville, GA
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Romantic Times Book Club