The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

August 15, 2010
Top student Erin has her sights on one of the five slots for her AP art history class's summer trip to Italy. Her best friend, Lindsay, just wants Megan, the class bully, to leave her alone. Stylish, outgoing Samantha is fiercely loyal to both Erin and Lindsay. Their friendship takes a turn for the paranormal when Erin receives a pink crystal ball and a set of cryptic instructions after her aunt's death. Erin's questions to the ball about school and boys start to come true, but not quite in the ways she hoped. Too late, she figures out that the ball's magic is limited, but by then she's made a mess of school and her personal relationships. Light humor and slapstick keep Erin's heartfelt grieving for her beloved aunt from pulling the rest of the story into the doldrums. Academic success remains at the forefront of Erin's mind, but as the pink crystal ball works its magic, she grows as a student and a friend, becoming more self-reliant. Fun for budding occultists and romantics alike. (Paranormal chick lit. 12 & up)

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November 1, 2010

Gr 7-10-Logical and practical, high school sophomore Erin Channing is focused on keeping her spot atop the GPA list and earning a trip to Italy with her AP Art History teacher. However, she is worried that she won't be chosen because she has "the most boring, normal, regular life ever." All that is irrevocably changed when the aunt she hasn't heard from in years dies suddenly, leaving the teen a pink crystal ball and a set of cryptic instructions. Erin figures the object is one last example of "Aunt Kooky's" infamous eccentricity, but even she can't deny that it is more than coincidence when the ball's predictions begin to come true. Events ebook out of control as, at the prodding of her best friends and despite her better judgment, she uses the crystal ball without fully understanding its powers. Green's novel has a touch of romance but is rooted in Erin's relationship with her best friends, Lindsay and Samantha. It has some similar elements to Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes (HarperCollins, 2005)-both feature teens set on a path of self-discovery due to the bequest of a recently deceased aunt. Though some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, readers will respond to Erin's growth and understanding, and her decision to control her own destiny.-Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2010
Grades 8-11 With its talk of mean girls, cyberbullying, and hot male bodies, Greens first YA novel seems a far cry from other magic-gone-wrong books, such as those by Edward Eager, but it has its sunny side: the narrating protagonist is a great student who tries to do goodor at least no harmwith the wish-granting crystal ball she has been bequeathed. The story begins with Erin and her two best friends complaining about their imperfect lives, but they are soon interrupted by the news that Erins aunt has been killed by lightning. Unbeknownst to her parents, Erin is given her aunts crystal ball along with cryptic instructions. As Erin figures out how to use it, diverting complications ensue between the pals, the boys they like, and two unfriendly students. Green develops the relationships well and with lively dialogue. Aided by her cohorts, an appealing love interest, and the crystal ball, Erin learns how to think, as she keeps saying, outside of the box. At books end, Erin passes the magic to one of her best friendsour crystal ball says sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)