Nerve

Reeling from a recent personal crisis, high school junior Vee is tired of designing costumes and applying makeup backstage%E2%80%94she wants to be in the spotlight for once. Playing against her sensible character, Vee tries out for Nerve, a racy reality game show fanatically watched online, on phones, and on TV. Debut author Ryan's view of the ridiculousness and pervasiveness of contemporary fame-obsessed culture is not subtle. After Vee pours water over her head while wearing a white top at a coffee shop and yelling, "Cold water makes me hot," she moves on to additional humiliating dares along with her Nerve partner, Ian, all broadcast live to Nerve's paying customers. Ryan's story is thought-provoking and unsettling, though even with the adrenaline rush the game provides, Vee's motivation to keep playing%E2%80%94taking on increasingly sexual and dangerous tasks%E2%80%94requires a stretch of the imagination. While the ending goes off with a bang and a twist, the theme of doing anything for attention and money (and then expecting privacy) plays out heavily. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Sept.)