Kiara and her friend Sam are chosen to compete in the national Pop Starlets competition. The girls form a school group, including their friends Gardenia, Britney and Alithia. However, Alithia has different aspirations to the girls and wants to steal the limelight from her fellow group members. The group heads off to camp with their teacher, La Signora, Kiara's mum and Mrs Snooks. During the auditions, suspicious events begin to take place. Kiara has her own ideas about who is causing the problems.

A funny book, that deals with issues such as bullying, conflict resolution and cheating. It also takes a behind-the-scenes look at dance and music competitions. This book is suitable for upper primary readers.

Josie Montano lives with her family in Brisbane and works as a full-time writer. Her love of fiction writing began at age eight, when she would shelve her self-published stories in her primary school library. Josie has worked in the primary school environment as a teacher's aide, a secretary and a library aide. Her published works include the very successful Wogaluccis, Stuff They Don't Teach You at School, Who's Wheelie the Fastest, Snot Fair, Snot Funny, Snot Cool and Chicken Pox...Sucks!

Find out more about Josie Montano on the Scholastic website: http://www.scholastic.com.au/Profiles/ProfileDisplay.asp?ProfileId=448

• What is a 'flashback' technique? Look at other movies or books that use this technique. Do you like knowing the ending at the beginning of the story? Why/Why not? (pp 7-8)
• How does Kiara use humour to describe Alithia? Why does she talk this way? (p 9)
• Why do the children think Frank Stein and Nazzie are bullies? Why did Vinnie nickname them? (pp 14-15)
• Why is Alithia so nasty? Is she a bully? Why/Why not? (p 19)
• Who hid the class newsletters? Why? Predict. (p 18)
• Why was Kiara embarrassed when her dad watched her dance? (p 28)
• How did the girls use their talents together? (p 30)
• Why is Alithia acting weird? (p 32)
• Why is Kiara nervous? Is it good to be nervous before a performance? Why/Why not? (p 35)
• What are Mrs Snook and Alithia up to? Is it fair? (p 38)
• How did the teachers and Mrs Snook reach a compromise?
  (p 47)
• What are Kiara's suspicions? What information did she find out? (pp 50-1)
• Why would you be suspicious about eating the chocolate slice? (p 53)
• Why did Alithia annoy everyone on the bus trip? Does her mum spoil her? Why/Why not? (p 58)
• How does Alithia treat her mum? (p 69)
• Why is Mrs Snook 'devastatingly devious'? (p 77)
• How did Signora solve the group name problem? How did each of the girls feel about the name? (p 81)
• What is bribery? How is Mrs Snook bribing Mr Meany? (pp 86-7)
• How did the girls resolve their problem with Alithia?
  (p 107)