How Sameera became Sammy

'Extreme American Makeover' is a story of an amazing transformation that's sure to entice you

There is something about the word 'makeover'. All of us who watch chic flicks will surely pay heed to anything starting or ending with this word. Whether it is the transformation of a middle-aged Plain Jane into a hot property like Barbara Streisand in the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces or a dorky teen Mia (Anna Hathaway) morphing into Princess Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries, makeovers always evoke interest and intrigue.

Mitali Perkins' latest book Extreme American Makeover serves you just that along with an assortment of teen heebie-jeebies making it an amusing read.

Extreme American Makeover, as the name suggests, dwells on the life of sixteen-year-old Sameera Righton, the Pakistan-born adopted daughter of James Righton, America's Republican candidate for the President's post. The book focuses on how Sameera becomes Sammy, which according to the campaign enthusiasts suits the American palette better.u00a0

As the campaign for Presidential elections heats up, Sameera joins her social activist mother Elizabeth Righton to campaign for her father. But before that she needs to undergo an extreme American makeover to neutralise her Pakistani looks and look more American.

Along with the swish haircut and Vogue-ish clothes comes a subliminal niche website 'sammysez.com' which forces headstrong Sameera to abrogate her identity and transform into a privileged, popular teenager. Although Sameera enjoys the media attention and adores her new outer shell, she never really comes to terms with 'sammysez.com'. The recessive desire of going out there to introduce the real Sameera to the people of America never leaves her mind.

After a small break at her grandparent's farm in Maryfield, where she is followed by the paparazzi, Sameera decides to re-join her father's campaign. A flurry of adventurous activities follow, where she is reunited with her parents in Washington DC to help with the campaign. Like any other teen read, a heart-throb also makes an entry in Sameera's life.

The character of Sameera is an ideal mixture of a self-willed yet obedient teenager. The more you read it, the more you are charmed by the petite teenager. Sparrow to her loved ones and Sammy to her dad's potent voters, Sameera comes across as an intelligent, humorous teenager filled with teen angst. Although the book is slow in the beginning, it picks up pace later. The author has successfully captured slangs used by tech-savvy American teens.

Overall, Extreme American Makeover makes for an enthralling teen read, but those of you who are fond of the chic-lit genre will also definitely enjoy the book. So, if you have had a hard week at work or school and are in the mood for some good-natured fluff, pick up Extreme American Makeover.

'Extreme American Makeover'
By: Mitali Perkins
Publisher: HarperCollins
Price: Rs 199