Vidalia in Paris

September 1, 2008
When a summer scholarship frees her from her Grey Gardens–
like house and the burden of tending to her severely anxious, agoraphobic mother, high school student Vidalia is thrilled to be studying painting in Paris. First-novelist Watson throws Vidalia some easy pitches: the cute young (and good-hearted) Frenchman at Shakespeare & Co. immediately makes an overture, and when the art teacher trains his Gallic scorn on her, another student helps her shrug it off. But instead of embarking on a flowers-and-baguette romance, Vidalia chooses darker territory: a seductive bad boy pushes her limits, beginning with ditching a restaurant bill on their first date and escalating to art heists. The story lines support each other gracefully. For example, Vidalia repeatedly sketches a single painting all summer, unable to get the girl's face right, which mirrors her own search for self. And even though the crime element never entirely convinces, it energetically drives the plot and forces readers to understand Vidalia's need for escape. Plus, the ripe scenes of dinner on a Paris rooftop, beaches in Cannes and quiet interiors of out-of-the-way museums provide readers with an escape of their own. Ages 12–up.

April 1, 2009
Gr 9 Up-It's the summer before her senior year, and Vidalia Sloane has the opportunity of her young lifetime. She has won a scholarship to study art in Paris. Immediately upon her arrival she immerses herself in the experience, visiting museums and meeting new friends and potential lovers, including the mysterious and charming Marco, a 19-year-old aspiring art dealer. With him she forgets that she has no money for weekend trips with the other American students. He eases her panic when her agoraphobic mother calls. He fills the time so that Vidalia is away from her inattentive host family. He is also a genius when it comes to bending the rules, believing that it is acceptable to take from those who have more than enough. Swept up in the excitement of the relationship, Vidalia goes along with him, but just how far can she bend the rules before they break? Watson does a wonderful job of describing Vidalia's emotions throughout the book. However, it is hard to figure out how she goes from typical high school student to art thief. There are also some other oddities to the plot, such as the on-again-off-again relationship between Vidalia and Heather, another program participant from her hometown. Despite these foibles, readers will enjoy this story, getting caught up in the romance and Parisian ambiance."Melyssa Malinowski, Kenwood High School, Baltimore, MD"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2008
Grades 9-12 Vidalia is delighted to study art in Paris on scholarship.But from the first, things do not go as expected. Her host family is cold, the art master doesnt think she has talent, and a former friend is also on the trip. Then Vidalia meets two guys. Julian, the nice one, works at Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Marco charms Vidalia with his expertise in art and his mysterious aura. Marco, who has an elastic set of values, especially when it comes to stealing art from the rich, soon draws a willing Vidalia into an unstable situation.What starts out as simple turns into a multilayered story that keeps readers wondering how things will turn out. First-time author Watson has several subplots that, though interesting, are never really developed (anagoraphobicmother;the long-ago best friend who has a breakdown). But the main push and pull of the narrativeVidalias relationship with the scheming Marcofascinates throughout. Paris makes a great background, andan intriguingcover will draw readers in.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
Teen artist Vidalia faces many challenges after winning a scholarship to study in Paris. Self-fulfillment comes through the help of a teacher intent on tradition and technique. However, Vidalia is also taken in by the persuasions of a charming thief. Watson's beautifully balanced character makes mistakes and recovers, hurts friends and forgives betrayals, and gains independence as she loses her naivete.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)