Heartaches High School

Deanie and Sandy are best friends who performed as the Heartaches in their hometown. Now they're attending the Professional Performers High School, so they can sing with a New York group, Fury. Deanie's first love is acting, and she doesn't notice that a boy named Rusty might want more than just rehearsals from her. Sandy wants to be a musician, but from the first audition, starts to lose confidence in herself. The ending of this second book about the friends is wide open for a sequel, so readers shouldn't expect major resolutions here. Deanie and Sandy never really act concerned about each other, despite their ""best friend'' status. The writing is steady, and some of the confusion the two girls experience will seem quite real to teenagers. But those in search of another version of Fame should look elsewhere. (12-up)