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The Kayla Chronicles

Kayla Dean is a 15-year-old student journalist who smells a story when she hears that the Lady Lions, a prestigious hip-hop dance team at her high school, chooses members more for their curvy bodies than their dancing skills.  Encouraged by Rosalie, her best friend and fellow journalist, Kayla, who lacks the most basic of feminine curves, embarks on a fitness/dance/makeover process to try out for the team.  Through her own efforts and a dynamite tryout performance, she makes it, and is shocked to find new and supportive friends on the team.

“Being chosen…exceeds the boundaries of earth and space,” Kayla opines.  But her happiness is challenged when Rosalie accuses her of losing both her feminist and journalistic ideals.

This story of  teen friendships and triumphs is told with humor and wisdom, and will appeal to teens facing the everyday trials in their lives.  I especially liked seeing an African-American teen whose problems have nothing to do with poverty of lack of education.  We need more books like this one.