Aces Up

November 8, 2010
Shannon's father has lost his job, which makes attending Wellesley impossible, unless she can earn $27,400 for first year's tuition. Shannon is a math whiz so that calculation was easy, but earning the money as a cocktail waitress at the Collosio Casino is more challenging, especially since Shannon is only 17 and using a fake ID to work there. Enter Cole, leader of Aces Up, a clandestine ring of college-age gamblers, who recruits Shannon after reading about a math award she won. Shannon proves to be a poker star, and Cole pressures her into entering the big tournament. Realizing that she might be in trouble, Shannon relies on her sister, a friend, and her crush, Max, to figure out the right thing to do. Readers should be easily swept into Shannon's exhilaration when she first stays up all night playing poker ("I love the feeling of the cards beneath my fingers"), and will likely become invested in her ethical dilemma. A savvy story about how, even with pure intentions, you can still get in over your head. Ages 12–up.

February 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-High school senior and math-whiz Shannon Card gets accepted to Wellesley College, but can't afford to attend because her father was recently laid off. She tutors Max, her secret crush, hoping to secure a math scholarship from her school. She also gets a job waitressing at a local casino where she is invited by handsome bad-boy Cole to join a secret group of poker players. He promises her that Aces Up can help her make more than enough money for school. When waitressing proves less lucrative than she'd planned, and her relationship with Max gets complicated, Shannon succumbs to the temptations provided by Aces Up and Cole. As gambling hurts her relationships and grades, Shannon realizes that she is in danger of losing what is important to her and seeks redemption. The plot is strikingly similar to the movie 21, which is referenced in the book. Shannon is a quirky and earnest overachiever, and her account of her adventures is reminiscent of Bridget Jones's Diary. Her narration is peppered with pop-culture references and poker strategy, and her tendency to make lists is used to amusing effect. Her droll style maximizes the humor, which could undermine the serious theme. While Shannon is endearing and genuine, the rest of the characters are poorly developed. In addition to gambling, there is underage drinking and some strong language.-Erin Carrillo, formerly at Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.