Review: I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy

I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy. An I So Don't Mystery.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2011
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737906

Review: "This is the worst vacation of my life." Is this what comes into mind when you think of an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California? To Sherry Baldwin, it is in I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy. Sherry is the main character in all of the books in the I So Don't Do series. Sherry is an average 13-year-old with her best friend Junie and a ghost police mom as her sidekicks. Sherry's father has remarried to her former teacher, 'The Ruler'. She also has a boyfriend named Josh.

When Sherry wins a magazine contest on an essay about true love, her prize is a vacation to L.A. Sherry really wants her ghost mom to come too, but she has to have a reason. So, while Sherry's mom works on the death of Marilyn Monroe, Sherry & Junie try to solve the case of the magazine editor's missing purse. Being a large magazine company and a famous person, the editor is outraged. Will Sherry save the day? She is expected to, being a natural detective, but Sherry feels guilty. She feels as if she walked the thieves to the purse. On top of it all, her relationship with Josh is falling apart. How did Marilyn Monroe die? What will happen between Sherry and Josh? Most importantly, who stole the purse? All questions are answered in I So Don't Do Famous.

I absolutely love this book for so many reasons. One is that I've read the three previous books, I So Don't Do Mysteries, I So Don't Do Spooky, and I So Don't Do Makeup. Though it would be convenient, you don't have to read these books in order. Another factor of why I love I So Don't Do Famous is the lovable characters. You can completely relate to Sherry's problems and thoughts. Junie could be even your own best friend because of her qualities. Also, the setting is described in a great way, making a whole new meaning of 'show, don't tell'. You could easily get sucked into Sherry's life and what she does. When I sat reading this book for about an hour, I looked up and was confused for a second about where I was. I was so intrigued with I So Don't Do Famous, that I completely forgot what was going on. Last but not least, the way Barrie Summy narrates this book is perfect. She sounds exactly like a 13-year-old throughout all of the books in the series. If you like mysteries and realistic fiction with a hint of the supernatural, I suggest you read I So Don't Do Famous, which is a great book. I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Review written by Sahaj (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of I So Don't Do Famous for this review.

Have you read I So Don't Do Famous? How would you rate it?