Braless in Wonderland

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 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 show more 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

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 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 show more 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 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 show more down-the-rabbit hole industry, and Fischer spins a good story. show less

An interesting and fascinating read. Fischer's first novel is pretty good. Having been a booker for a modeling agency in Florida, the author gives us a first hand look at what teens go through in order to be a model. It is not always glamorous or pretty. There is very strong competition and backstabbing that occurs in this business. Allee Rosen is picked to be a model, BIG SURPRISE, since she was not even interested. She expected her sister, Sabrina (aka the Fluff) to be chosen. Allee's plan is to get into Yale and earn a degree in Literature. However, due to some miscalculations by her father in the stockmarket, her money for college is not there. So the new plan is to model to earn enough money to pay for Yale. Allee enters a new show more world that is totally foreign to her. It is hard for her to interact with her housemates and much of the world around her. The lessons she learns are hard and sometimes go totally against her feminist philosophy. Allee finds she has to be more flexible, more open, less judgmental and more tolerant of others. There are times when she wants to chuck it all, but she is not a quitter either. It is interesting seeing her change her perspective on the world as well as seeing the physical change in her. The other characters are interesting, entertaining and realistic. If you like your females strong and opinionated, then you should enjoy this book. show less

The book was very funny, and it’s cool to watch the main character change. She didn’t change in a bad way, but yet not in a good way. I read this book because it sounded edgy, and I loved the cover.

It's funny and it goes quickly. Allee's decision with going to Tokyo or Yale [was compelling]. I wish she would have chosen Yale. The title is embarrassing. AHS/AD

It is a fun book with a lot of references to modern teenage life. The character of Allee Rosen and how she develops throughout her modeling career [was compelling]. It was a good book and fun to read. It was a great book! AHS/AA

4.If you’re into people’s perspectives of the modeling world that you never expected to become a part of. Just to see how you survive. This is a good book for that. I read this book because Mrs. Hascall recommended it.