The IT Girl - Katy Birchall

The It-Girl by Katy Birchall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hilariously funny and deliciously romantic 'clean teen' fiction for teens. Perfect for fans of Geek Girl and Louise Rennison.

Everybody wants to be a famous It Girl. Don't they?

Anna Huntley's aims in life:

1) Must keep my two lovely new (and only) school friends by not doing anything in usual manner of socially inept dork and outcast.

2) Train Dog (my labrador) to high-five. This is probably the most ambitious life goal on this list.

3) Do not set the school's Deputy Queen Bee mean girl's hair on fire (again).

4) Work out whether 2) and 3) constitute being socially inept or outcastish.

5) Go to Africa and give out rice.

6) To hide in a cupboard FOR LIFE with Dog now Dad is engaged to one of the most famous actresses EVER, the paparazzi want to spash my face all over the papers and everyone in school (and The World) is soon to discover the level of my social ineptitude.

7) Is rice a bit done now? Maybe I can give out chocolate in Africa too. I do like chocolate. Must work out how to do it from the cupboard...




When I saw this book pop up in the book blogging community I knew I wanted to read it. I haven't read a light hearted YA for a while and was really looking forward to it.

When I began reading the book it become obvious that it was aimed at younger teens - Anna is 14 and I feel the book is very well suited to this audience. Even though I am a lot older I did enjoy reading it, I found it a fun and quick read. The story is primarily about friendship and accepting who you are. I feel that this is a brilliant topic for this age group. When I was 14 I also wanted to just fit in or be in the popular crowd, reading aspects of this book as an adult I could see what was going to happen a mile off, this though has come with experience.

I really liked the format of the book and its layout. The book has series of emails, voicemails and lists in and I particularly enjoyed reading these. They broke the book up and gave it a fun element.

Anna lives in London with her dad and dog, her dad mixes with celebrities for his job, but Anna has never met any of them, that is until he brings Helen home to meet her. She is a model and has an older daughter, who is a socialite. - Completely the opposite to Anna. When she meets them, they both surprise her with the news they are engaged, this doesn't go down well with either daughter.

I really enjoyed reading about the relationship between the daughters as well as Anna's friend. After being seen out together Anna is the latest thing and the press promote her as the next 'IT' girl. This causes a stir at school and suddenly all the popular kids want a piece of her.

This is similar to books like Geek Girl and anyone who loves them will love this. I really liked Anna as a character in the story and I felt I could relate to her, even though the main character is only 14 don't let this put you off.This is a super quick, fun and cute read that you must get your hands on, you won't be disappointed. It has everything that a good light hearted read needs, the boy, drama and celebrities. I think this is a great debut by Birchall and I think she is a YA author to watch out for! I can't stress how much I did enjoy the book and I can't wait to get my hands on The IT Girl 2!

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.