Debbie Reed Fischer

Alle is known as the brain, the smart one of her family. Her sister Sabrina is the pretty one, and Alle refers to her as The Fluff.... all beauty no brains. But Alle’s smarts have paid off and she has an acceptance to Yale in the fall, unfortunately she has no way to pay for it.When she escorts her sister to a modeling agency scouting, she gets discovered instead of Sabrina. Although modeling is the last thing in the world Alle wants to do, she knows that the money from modeling could make show more her dream of Yale come true. So she heads of to South Beach, in hopes of securing her future at Yale. But modeling is a lot more than Alle expected.This was an extraordinary novel! The only other modeling books I’ve read are the Violet Series by Melissa Walker and I wouldn’t even compare the two. Not that one is better than the other, because I immensely enjoyed both books, but they are nothing alike. Yes, they are both about girls who are discovered and become models but that is where the similarities stop. Braless in Wonderland is more a "finding out whom you really are story," than a "becoming a model story."While modeling does have it glamourous moments, it was refreshing to read about the other side of the industry. Fischer’s experience in the modeling world was apparent in the novel and it made it seem that much more real. Alle is such a dynamic character, she is relatable, funny, intelligent and at the same time so naive. I couldn’t help but root for her on her trip to Wonderland. I absolutely recommend this book! show less

Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com

Peyton Grady has finally made it to the varsity cheerleading squad and Alpha status at Beachwood Preparatory Academy, and only her BFF, Maya, knows her carefully guarded secret - that she's a scholarship student. So why would Peyton risk being seen talking to the school misfits?

Ellika Garrett is the new jumbo-sized cheerleader whose mother bought her a spot on the squad with a hefty donation to the school. Peyton wonders just how far she'll show more have to go to make Ellika understand that she does not want to be her friend. Who wants a weepy-eyed walrus looking over your shoulder when you're trying to get the attention of Von Cohen, the hottest guy in school? Every time Peyton gets up the nerve to ask him to the Sadie Hawkin's dance, Ellika appears and chases Von away.

Luckily, Von doesn't give up easily. Everyone can see he's totally into Peyton and it's not long before she finally has her first real boyfriend, a definite plus on the Alpha girl scale. But how will she explain to him about Compular? Yes, even wealthy prep schools have those super-smart nerdy guys who brag about outrageous things nobody believes. Peyton can't avoid Compular. If he doesn't tutor her in Trig, she could lose her scholarship.

As Peyton teeter-totters on the brink of social elitism, Lexie, the captain of the squad, tips the balance. Peyton, along with the other varsity cheerleaders, are expected to contribute ideas to a hazing list that becomes crueler with each idea. The point is to make Ellika so miserable that she'll quit the team. In her quest to be one of the Alpha girls, Peyton has already sacrificed her friendship with Maya. What else will she destroy, who else will she step on, to get on top? Can she really do this to Ellika? To herself?

SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS by Debbie Reed Fischer is an incredible book. It's a page-turner that is as difficult to put down as it is to read. Are there teens out there that are really this cruel? What would you, the reader, be willing to sacrifice to have it all?

I can tell you as a teacher of teens for twenty years that, without question, there are teens who have an adult persona and a totally different peer persona. This book will force you to take a look at yourself and those around you. I believe this book will inspire its readers to stand up for what they believe is right. For that reason, and because the characters have stayed with me so vividly, I'm giving SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS the coveted Gold Star Award for Excellence.

My thirteen-year-old theatre vagabond-band geek-cheerleader daughter grabbed this book before I could read it and read it in a day. She raved about it. Then my almost fifteen-year-old band geek-football playing-student council representative son saw "sharks" in the title and picked it up, also finishing it in a day. They both loved it. I can't think of too many books on this topic that resonate with boys as well as girls.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Debbie Reed Fischer's debut novel, BRALESS IN WONDERLAND, and was thrilled to found out I would also get the opportunity to review SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS. I was not disappointed. Well done, Ms. Fischer. You have earned yourself a gold star! Thank you for a terrific read! show less

Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com

Did you know that models practice smiling with their tongue behind their teeth to hide the dreaded black space? It's something that Allee Rosen would never have thought of as she stuffed rolls of toilet paper into her backpack for her art project.

Allee's headed to Yale to be an English Literature major. Yale! Or so she thought. She finds out her rocket scientist dad failed to save enough money for the prestigious school. So, for now, she's show more finishing her senior year of high school, working at Wal-Mart, and trying to decide whether or not to give in to her dad and go the University of Florida to major in something sensible, like science or business. Yuck.

Her life changes the day she takes her sister, Sabrina, to the mall for a modeling agency's talent search. Instead of signing Sabrina, aka "The Fluff," they want Allee! The brainiac. The feminist. The total opposite of a girly-girl. Allee knows this is crazy. She doubts it's even legit. But it's an offer she can't refuse. It could mean earning the extra money to get to Yale.

Following a dream-like trip to Miami to meet the owner of what turns out to be a highly respectable and sought-after agency, Allee moves into an apartment for the models. Allee finds herself struggling to believe that she's actually pretty. Serious by nature, she fears she'll never be able to let loose and have fun with the camera. Will she ever get a booking? How can she compete with the beautiful, intimidating, and fiercely competitive girls she's rooming with? What the heck are chicken cutlets? And what if she makes it big? Will she choose to leave Wonderland behind and go to Yale in the fall?

BRALESS IN WONDERLAND thrusts the reader into the world of modeling. Debbie Reed Fischer zooms in to focus on the often cutthroat competition between models, the necessary obsession with weight and the risks some models will take to lose just a few more pounds, the glamour, the parties, and the clothes. Oh, the clothes! If you are even the tiniest bit interested in a modeling career, I'd suggest you pick up a copy of this book. And for those of you who think you'd never consider being a model? Just remember, neither did Allee. show less

Seventeen year-old Allee Rosen has her future all planned out. Graduate from high school, go to Yale and major in literature.... She's even gotten the acceptance letter. Only one tiny little problem: her dad's plan to grow her college fund, well... didn't.

Stuck hauling her sister to a modeling audition, Allee can't believe the mess her life's turned into. That's why she can't quite believe it when the scouts discover her, not her gorgeous sister. And modeling actually pays pretty well - who show more knew? But once she's lived a model's life in South Beach, will Yale even hold the same appeal?

A coming of age story for fans of ANTM and Bravo TV reality shows, it's fluffy but it has a serious edge, as well. Allee's a down-to-earth heroine in a down-the-rabbit hole industry, and Fischer spins a good story. show less