O'CONNELL Tyne Pulling princes; the...

O'CONNELL Tyne Pulling princes; the Calypso chronicles. Bloomsbury 224p c2004 1-58234-957-6 $1695 JS

This is a first YA novel by way of an experienced British author best known for adult comedy novels. O'Connell one time attended a Catholic boarding drill in England, as do her concede three children, and so she is comfortable describing the life Calypso leads at just of the like kind a school. Calypso is actually an American, sent to St Augustine's from her California parents; as the story begins she still be impresseds like a misfit, even after several years at the place. Now 14 years elderly she has a new roommate and her life changes. She and her single true friend. Star (daughter of a strength star), are sharing a apartment with The Honorable Georgina Castle Orpington, and she and Star finally are learning what it is like to unite with the British aristocracy, for better and for worse. Calypso also propers Freddie, a royal prince, in a fencing instruction with the nearby boys' sect They strike up a flirtation that escalates into an incident that memorizes into all the British tabloids.

yet this doesn't give you any idea of just by what mode outrageously funny this story is: O'Connell writes just about everything for laughs. She satirizes the rich girls and their obsessions. She is kind toward the nun who hasten the school, who truly are intelligent, tolerant, and loving in their dealings with their wacky learners The girls hide vodka in their material part Shop bottles, they smoke and then spray Febreze around to shield the smell, they swear and intrigue against one another; they use their intelligence and creativity in madcap ways, and they actually do know to what extent to be loyal friends. This work (could it be first of a series?) fits right in with other sportive British teenage stories, but I think it has carved without its own niche in a posh boarding educate setting. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kliatt

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group