Since turning 15, Scarlett Martin's life has changed in an astounding rush: she's now in charge of a suite at her family's business, the charming but decaying Hopewell Hotel in New York City; her brother Spencer has finally landed an acting gig, introducing her Spence's gorgeous fellow actor and Southern gentleman Eric; she's making in-roads toward spending more time with little sister Marlene; and she's been introduced to Amy Amberson, her suite's dynamic, demanding and semi-famous resident.

Under Mrs. Amberson's guidance, the summer opens before Scarlett like a fan: full of unexpected turns, small adventures, money and new friendships. As the financial situation at the Hopewell seems to become more and more desperate, the Martin siblings -- Scarlett, Lola, Spencer and Marlene -- try to find new ways of chipping in and helping their worn-out parents drum up some new business. Ironically, Mrs. Amberson's arrival starts to do wonders almost immediately.

Above all, Suite Scarlett was a really fun, almost whimsical look at the bonds of one family. As another reviewer noted, it was so refreshing to read a story about a family that wasn't fractured, difficult, divorced or not speaking to one another. While the Martins have their difficulties, they definitely love one another.

Each character in the novel was fleshed-out and almost larger than life. While I could argue they were a bit "typecast" -- Spencer is the funny one, the "sad clown" trying to make his way acting in the city; Lola is the type-A oldest sister, trying to keep everything afloat, etc. -- I can't honestly say this bugged me at all. Though Scarlett is our titular character, Johnson's novel is in third person; we pop in and out of everyone's heads, getting their take on the scene before them. Surprisingly, I loved that about it.

The sense of place in this novel was awesome -- I really felt like I'd stepped into the Hopewell's lobby and was looking up at the sparkling (but dusty) chandelier as the Martin siblings scurried around. The mild romance that developed in the story was cute, and I loved all of the theatre references as Spencer's play gets underway.

Overall, a fast and fantastic read -- and a really different, fun way to spend time in New York City. I could pack up my little suitcase and get to the Hopewell to share in family dinner and catch a performance myself! ( )

This was my first Maureen Johnson book and I must say, I think I picked the right one to read. It's quite a cute book about a girl named Scarlett and her summer working in her parents' hotel. It sounds rather silly and simplistic, but it turns out to be nothing of the sort. It's cute novel about love, families and drama -- the theater kind. While Scarlett's life isn't anything like most of ours, she does go through what so many of us have dealt with -- first loves and a summer doing things for other people. I enjoyed Suite Scarlett and hope the remaining books in the series are just as fun. ( )

Scarlett's family runs the once illustrious and now dilapidated Hopewell Hotel in New York City. On her fifteenth birthday, in the Martin family tradition, Scarlett is given a room in the hotel that will be her responsibility to manage and take care of the guests that stay there. That same day her parents also drop the bomb that the hotel isn't doing well, Scarlett won't be able to get a summer job, instead she will have to help out around the hotel. They have had to fire their last employee, the cook, so even Scarlett's birthday breakfast is a let down. Her parents also give the ultimatum that Spencer, Scarlett's beloved older brother, will have to either find a paying acting gig or go to culinary school. Can Scarlett help herself and her brother, and could the eccentric Mrs. Amberson, staying in Scarlett's Empire Suite, be the answer to their problems?Like all of Maureen Johnson's books, Suite Scarlett is written in such an approachable way, that any reader is sure to enjoy it. Scarlett is a lovable character, especially in her relationship with her older brother who is a bit of a goof ball. Scarlett has a lot of firsts that summer, first real crush, first kind-of relationship, first time being accused of shoplifting, first time telling a lie to her brother, firs time sneaking an entire troupe of actors into her home... ( )

Summary: Scarlett and her family own and live in a New York hotel. For her 15th birthday, she’s given a suite to take care of. Which would be so much easier if it wasn’t inhabited by a Broadway has-been who gets her kicks from bossing Scarlett around.

Review: I will definitely be reading more by Maureen Johnson. I absolutely LOVE her sassy, sarcastic humor. I’ve also been reading her blog to get more of her brand of funny on a regular basis. (Very entertaining stuff, except that it always makes me a bit depressed after the chuckling tapers off. I’m just a wee bit jealous of Ms. Johnson and her funny-making skills.)

Here’s a little taste for you:

Perhaps it sounds like a wonderful thing to be born and raised in a small hotel in New York City. Lots of things sound fun until they are subjected to closer inspection. If you lived on a cruise ship, for example, you would have to do the Macarena every night of your life. Think about that.

Still, this book made me daydream about living in a hotel. But only if I can live with a family like Scarlett’s.

I adored the characters in this book, especially Scarlett’s older brother. The scenes with Scarlett and her brother were among my favorites mostly because of their witty banter but also because they had such a great sibling relationship. ( )

Fun, funny, charming -- a nice young adult novel about a girl and her family who live in and run a hotel in New York that is well past its prime. The story begins on Scarlett's 15th birthday, which should ordinarily be a special occasion, but it is tainted by the fact that the family has lost so much money supporting the youngest (Marlene) who had cancer earlier, that they've had to fire their chef and now expect their kids to pick up all of the hotel running responsibilities for the few remaining guests they get. Scarlett gets a summer project, an odd former actress named Amy Amberson, who seems to weave her way into the fabric of their lives. She tries to help Scarlett's brother Spencer and his band of actors who are planning to put on Hamlet in a parking garage (in order that Spencer can call himself an actor and not have to go to culinary school). The book has a bit of a love story, as Scarlett falls for one of Spencer's cast-mates, the cute and Southern Eric.

Not too much angst, just mostly fun and an enjoyable read. Okay for middle school. ( )