Braless in Wonderland

by Debbie Reed Fischer

Allee Rosen is a lot of things: high school senior, overachiever, brain. The one thing Allee is not is supermodel material—at least that’s what she thinks until modeling scouts spot her and she moves to Miami to work with an elite modeling agency. Suddenly Allee is swept up in a whirlwind of designer labels, photo shoots, go-sees and some seriously backstabbing models. Will this fabulous new life go to her head? New author Debbie Reed Fischer offers readers a fresh, fun, and honest peek into the crazy and glamorous world of professional modeling.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2008

About the author

Debbie Reed Fischer is the award-winning author of novels for teens and tweens. Her latest middle grade novel This is not the Abby Show (Random House/ Delacorte) won the Royal Palm Literary Award, and was twice honored as a PJ Library selection in 2017 and 2020. Abby Show has been compared to Jack Gantos’s Joey Pigza series (Publisher’s Weekly), as well as Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Renee Russell’s The Dork Diaries series (Booklist). Kveller.com selected Abby Show for its Beyond Judy Blume: Must-Reads for Jewish Girls list. Debbie has been teaching writing workshops as well as speaking on author panels, at schools and literary conferences for many years. In addition to writing novels, Debbie has contributed to anthologies, non-fiction books, magazines, newspapers, and TV scripts. A graduate of the University of Miami, Debbie has a degree in Screenwriting and worked for many years as an agent for film and TV, then as a middle and high school English teacher before achieving her dream of becoming an author. Her short story This is What I'll Tell You, will be in the forthcoming anthology Coming of Age, published by Whitman, set for release in March 2022, with a portion of the proceeds donated to organizations fighting antisemitism. www.debbiereedfischer.com

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alle is known as the brain, the smart one of her family. Her sister Sabrina is the pretty one, and Alle refers to her as The Fluff.... all beauty no brains. But Alle’s smarts have paid off and she has an acceptance to Yale in the fall, unfortunately she has no way to pay for it.

When she escorts her sister to a modeling agency scouting, she gets discovered instead of Sabrina. Although modeling is the last thing in the world Alle wants to do, she knows that the money from modeling could make her dream of Yale come true. So she heads of to South Beach, in hopes of securing her future at Yale. But modeling is a lot more than Alle expected.

This was an extraordinary novel! The only other modeling books I’ve read are the Violet Series by Melissa Walker and I wouldn’t even compare the two. Not that one is better than the other, because I immensely enjoyed both books, but they are nothing alike. Yes, they are both about girls who are discovered and become models but that is where the similarities stop. Braless in Wonderland is more a "finding out whom you really are story," than a "becoming a model story."

While modeling does have it glamourous moments, it was refreshing to read about the other side of the industry. Fischer’s experience in the modeling world was apparent in the novel and it made it seem that much more real. Alle is such a dynamic character, she is relatable, funny, intelligent and at the same time so naive. I couldn’t help but root for her on her trip to Wonderland. I absolutely recommend this book!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a terrible book. I grabbed it because it had a catchy title and it described the main character as a feminist, but what you really get is a vapid little girl on a whirlwind of vapidity. The main character has the IQ of Paris Hilton, making it completely implausible that she got into Yale. In fact, the entire plot is based around her not having money for college despite the fact that most college students have loans and do not become supermodels. The main character seems to think she is some kind of feminist, yet she knows next to nothing about feminism and clearly neither does the author. Her actions range from stupid and ethically questionable to mean and vindictive. The fact that she knows that modeling is a career that uses models and gives average women complexes and yet she still participates in such a career is never really explained. Character development? What character development?

However the worst part of this novel is that it has delusions of grandeur. It thinks it is a modern day Alice in Wonderland, which is just sad because this book is terrible. Alice in Wonderland was a classic because it is engaging, relate-able, fresh, and creative. This book is a didactic look at the world of a spoiled lingeree model - there is just no contest. The main character's name is Allee.. get it like Alice? The ending is eye-rollingly bad and at the end you're wishing that you got the time you wasted reading this dreck back at the end of your life.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few moments that gave me pause in regards to the narrator’s descriptions of characters who were racially or sexually distinct from her. A lot of her perspective on it read like that of a moderately progressive middle-aged mom: rah-rah for the adorably (and predictably, and stereotypically) flamboyant gay characters, but the “girl girl” stuff was ~ fine, but not for her. While in other books, such as The Sky Always Hears Me, that sort of viewpoint would have been appropriate given the setting, here it’s just uncomfortably out-of-touch. The narrator herself is just a major square all around, really. And while I appreciate that the author didn’t shoehorn in a romance plot just for the sake of having one, it was kind of unusual that there wasn’t one and it really drove home for me how uninteresting the main character was. Was her sister really her only friend? I’d like to see a sequel where Allee explores her true bisexual self, because I’d forgive a lot if that was what the whole preoccupation with lesbians was really going for. Also Abuela was my favorite.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't do it. I adore YA novels and obsessively devoured America's, Australia's, New Zealand's, Britian's and Canada's Next Top Model as a teen, but this novel is awful. The protagonist, Allee (note the unique spelling of a common name) constantly boasts to the audience about how she's a feminist, but she slut shames her classmate for what she wears. Allee comes across as very immature, ignorant and irritating. In the novel, the protagonist's sister uses the word 'retarded' to refer to an ugly shirt. Unacceptable. I can't stomach this novel any longer. What a waste of time! I was hoping for something light, fluffy and fun, but instead, I got disappointment.

[Leah]

I did not like the main character Allee. I thought she was super annoying as all she did was hate on everybody. She didn't like her family, school, anyone in existence. Having a character that hates everything isn't creating a character that one can connect to. Who wants to be around someone who complains all the time? Even Garfield loved his lasagna and Pooky.

[Wisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a bit randomly, for a Storygraph challenge, but it ended up being a delightful little palette cleanser. Very fun and interesting, and refreshingly unromantic. I liked the vibes and attitude of the MC and the insight into the modeling world from an author who actually had experience as a booking agent!

Because this was written in 2008, I expected so offensive language and dialogue that always seems to come from contemporaries that were written 5+ years ago, and while there were some moments, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting!

Also, I enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland references!

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enjoyable YA follows Allee Rosen who doesn't see herself as a beauty, but gets discovered as a model anyway. During her journey in both academia and the model lifestyle, she has to choose between the two. It was interesting seeing both sides of Allee and her interactions with family and industry people. The book moves fast and was engaging throughout.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book that depicts the modeling world as an environment where a person grows as they face hardships in order to succeed.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, if predictable, young adult story about a reluctant new model. Themes of feminism, friendship, family dynamics.

[Jenna Marks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good read. I don’t recommend this book.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com

Did you know that models practice smiling with their tongue behind their teeth to hide the dreaded black space? It's something that Allee Rosen would never have thought of as she stuffed rolls of toilet paper into her backpack for her art project.

Allee's headed to Yale to be an English Literature major. Yale! Or so she thought. She finds out her rocket scientist dad failed to save enough money for the prestigious school. So, for now, she's finishing her senior year of high school, working at Wal-Mart, and trying to decide whether or not to give in to her dad and go the University of Florida to major in something sensible, like science or business. Yuck.

Her life changes the day she takes her sister, Sabrina, to the mall for a modeling agency's talent search. Instead of signing Sabrina, aka "The Fluff," they want Allee! The brainiac. The feminist. The total opposite of a girly-girl. Allee knows this is crazy. She doubts it's even legit. But it's an offer she can't refuse. It could mean earning the extra money to get to Yale.

Following a dream-like trip to Miami to meet the owner of what turns out to be a highly respectable and sought-after agency, Allee moves into an apartment for the models. Allee finds herself struggling to believe that she's actually pretty. Serious by nature, she fears she'll never be able to let loose and have fun with the camera. Will she ever get a booking? How can she compete with the beautiful, intimidating, and fiercely competitive girls she's rooming with? What the heck are chicken cutlets? And what if she makes it big? Will she choose to leave Wonderland behind and go to Yale in the fall?

BRALESS IN WONDERLAND thrusts the reader into the world of modeling. Debbie Reed Fischer zooms in to focus on the often cutthroat competition between models, the necessary obsession with weight and the risks some models will take to lose just a few more pounds, the glamour, the parties, and the clothes. Oh, the clothes! If you are even the tiniest bit interested in a modeling career, I'd suggest you pick up a copy of this book. And for those of you who think you'd never consider being a model? Just remember, neither did Allee.

[Cana Rensberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that models practice smiling with their tongue behind their teeth to hide the dreaded black space? It’s something that Allee Rosen would never have thought of as she stuffed rolls of toilet paper into her backpack for her art project.

Allee’s headed to Yale to be an English Literature major. Yale! Or so she thought. She finds out her rocket scientist dad failed to save enough money for the prestigious school. So, for now, she’s finishing her senior year of high school, working at Wal-Mart, and trying to decide whether or not to give in to her dad and go the University of Florida to major in something sensible, like science or business. Yuck.

Her life changes the day she takes her sister, Sabrina, to the mall for a modeling agency’s talent search. Instead of signing Sabrina, aka “The Fluff”, they want Allee! The brainiac. The feminist. The total opposite of a girly-girl. Allee knows this is crazy. She doubts it’s even legit. But it’s an offer she can’t refuse. It could mean earning the extra money to get to Yale.

Following a dream-like trip to Miami to meet the owner of what turns out to be a highly respectable and sought-after agency, Allee moves into an apartment for the models. Allee finds herself struggling to believe that she’s actually pretty. Serious by nature, she fears she’ll never be able to let loose and have fun with the camera. Will she ever get a booking? How can she compete with the beautiful, intimidating, and fiercely competitive girls she’s rooming with? What the heck are chicken cutlets? And what if she makes it big? Will she choose to leave Wonderland behind and go to Yale in the fall?

BRALESS IN WONDERLAND thrusts the reader into the world of modeling. Debbie Reed Fischer zooms in to focus on the often cut throat competition between models, the necessary obsession with weight and the risks some models will take to lose just a few more pounds, the glamour, the parties, and the clothes. Oh, the clothes! If you are even the tiniest bit interested in a modeling career, I’d suggest you pick up a copy of this book. And for those of you who think you’d never consider being a model? Just remember, neither did Allee.

[Steph (Reviewer X) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whereas the focus of the Violet books is on Violet herself, this book gives explores the industry more. That’s the biggest difference I can think of between the two, for those who’re wondering.

Anyway, on to the actual book: I was charmed, and probably liked it more than the average person will. This is my exact kind of book—vivid characters, an outrageous scenario, and a whole lotta humor. It’s very fun and you also end up learning something. (I’m always on the lookout for smart light reads, so if you’ve got a suggestion, email me!) I mean, Debbie Reed Fischer worked as a booker at a modeling agency, so it’s obviously she’s got a lot of business savvy to impart. It’s all shown throughout the story, and just the crazy nature of the industry makes it so there’s never a boring moment.

Oh, and also, you can’t go wrong with Alice in the Wonderland parallels. I’m just saying.

There’s a feminist undertone here that appealed to me. This story is about Allee, and Allee alone, to the point where there’s never even a love interest. When was the last time you read a YA sans the romance? Think about it. I’m not saying men ruin everything (quite the contrary...!), but I’m a huge romance fan and it’s just something I noticed. Allee is a very independent character throughout, which is what earned her presence in this week.

There’s nothing bad I can say about this one, really. It reminded me a bit of Artichoke’s Heart in that it’s a character-driven book with surprising depth a lot of heart, that just sort of lingers with you. So, if you’re interested in the fashion industry or just want to pass the time with a fun book that’ll have you laughing and—here I go again with this word—charmed, I can’t recommend this one enough.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so maybe I did get lured in by the title, but still this was a funny, thoughtful and sometimes insightful look at a stuck up smartypants' odyssey into acceptance of the inherent worth of other people not like herself, and the beginnings of humility. Oh yeah, and finding her own identity along the way. I thought the Alice in Wonderland parallels were fun and cute, c'mon this isn't rocket science (inside joke, there, her Dad is a rocket scientist at "Cape Comet," the little town where Allee is discovered at her sister's modelling tryout). Anyone who's watched America's Next Top Model (I have 3 daughters) will anticipate the dramarama that ensues when Allee moves into the "model house," and her fellow models are quirky, if slightly predictably so, and the folks at her agency are colorful and funny. Models in YA usually have a tough time of it (especially Lakeview Models - I still feel bad about Gwendolyn Rogers from That Summer, as far as I could tell, she never made it out of those woods, and Annabel sure wasn't uber enthused about it either, in Just Listen). Other than ANTM, I have not a clue what a real model's life is like (Lord help them if it is like the show!), but this had a great fun texture of detail that seemed plausible. Take it for what it is - a good story with a clever Wonderland overlay, and enjoy!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I discovered this book I had to read it! I'm a closet ANTM addict :) Braless in Wonderland takes a look at a girl who gets sucked into the world of modeling. Alle Rosen planned on spending the last half of her senior year studying like crazy to raise her GPA in the hope of getting as many scholarships as possible to help pay for Yale. Being accidentally discovered at a mall was never part of the plan.

Allee learns that models may be made of sugar and spice and things not so nice. This is really a book about a girl overcoming her preconceived notions. Many people (even today) have the idea that models are all "fluff", including Allee. Throughout the book this notion is constantly challenged. Allee will see that not only do models have something going on upstairs, but there is also a darker side. Underage drinking, partying, drug use, and the question of compromising morals are all tackled in Braless in Wonderland. I must say that I enjoyed this book more than I originally thought I would. Allee was a character I really liked, but her roommates really add dimension to the story. Braless in Wonderland really surprised me! I wasn't expecting that ending and all though this is a stand alone book (as far as I know) I would love to see a sequel! This book does have some "mature" themes as mentioned above.

[Kat17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Braless in Wonderland was an unexpected delight. I’ve never been a fan of the modeling dream or shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and yet I found myself drawn into the character’s adventure, perhaps relating more because we shared so many opinions. I loved that Allee never wanted to be a model and throughout much of the book thought herself too good for it. The idea of falling into a career that so many would kill for is both amusing and encouraging.

The reader is offered an accurate and enticing peek into the real world of modeling (author Debbie Reed Fischer worked as a booker for a modeling agency and has experienced the industry first hand) which includes not only the glitz and the glamour but the downsides and pressures. There’s a fun array of characters and scenarios and I was left feeling that unlike many books, this one didn’t fail to live up to it’s own plotlines potential.

I loved the character and I loved the adventure. I’m hoping for a sequel and very much anticipating the author’s next book. In conclusion, if you love ‘America’s next top Model’ and even if you don’t, if you’re the High School brain or the head of the cheerleading squad, you’re sure to enjoy this book – I did! Check it out!

[Kerry Cerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allee Rosen had dreams of Yale. The high school senior, overachiever, and brainiac couldn’t wait to submerge herself in a world of intelligent college scholars. So, when she’s forced to drive her sister to a casting call at the local mall, Alle feels she’s been dropped down the wrong rabbit hole when she’s the one who’s “discovered.” Realizing that the modeling money could ensure she’d be able to afford Yale, Alle accepts the job and moves to Miami. Before she knows it, Alle is living the good life as the next It Girl on South Beach. When her acceptance letter from Yale arrives, she’s forced to reevaluate her dreams. Taking advice from the Cheshire Cat, Alle decides which wonderland is truly best for her. This fun-filled book is the debut novel from Debbie Reed Fischer. Her second novel, Swimming with the Sharks, is also out.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer - This was a delight to read. It presents a realistic view of what it's like to be a teen model in Miami. The characters and storyline felt authentic.

Allee Rosen is an honors program high school senior. She is spotted by modeling scouts while confronting her physically attractive sister auditioning for a spot.

Allee is chosen instead of her sister. Allee at first considers this detour into modeling as a way to break out of her small town and obtain money for college.

From commercial modeling, Allee finds much more than her initial goals.

[BookChic Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Violet series by Melissa Walker, you're sure to love this book about modeling as well. Fischer's prose and characterization of Allee and the people surrounding her are extremely well-written and realistic. I also loved the humor in this book, and the detailed accuracy of the modeling business. This book is a page-turner from the start and, before you know it, the story's over! I really want to read more about Allee and her adventures in modeling- she's such a fun character to read about. Definitely recommended!! :)

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rate: 3.5 stars

The main character was slightly irritating and judgemental, all while kinda being a hypocrite. There was nothing wrong with this book, but there wasn't anything really right about it either. I sort of just read it to read it, and I hate when that happens. When i read a book I want to get something out of it, but I didn't.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet debut about Allee, who--thanks to a fight with her sister--gets plucked from obscurity and lands a modeling contract with a hot Miami agency.

Good story of an insider's view of the not-so-glam modeling life.

[Miri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I loved the main character and how she changed throughout the novel. There was nothing cliche or predictable about this story at all. It keeps you guessing until the last page. You won't regret reading this.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title may turn you away from this book, but it is a good story about finding hidden passion for something you haven't even considered doing. Even though it seems like you have your future planned out for you, it may change as you develop more opportunities in life. This was a great book!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It wasn't just any nerd-turned-hot-model love story, it was deeper into the MC's feelings and what she wants to do with her life. Very deep, and I love how there's not much romance for the MC. I also love the awesome ending :)

[Mark Polino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think was I expecting less so I was pretty surprised. Fashion Senseless Girl gets picked as a model and moves to Miami while her modeling obsessed sister is stuck at home. A look a the less glamorous side of modeling.

[Alexyss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad but not good either. The book basically tells you what models go through. I would have picked Tyra banks modelland book over this book. It didn't really move me but at least there was a decent ending.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it showed you the life of a modle and how people you trust can stab you in the back. I like that it showed Alle as a smart girl and a modle and that she was kind. Unlike some of her roommates

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-done and smart "chick lit" for teens

[Rachel]

Released April 17, 2008; First time author

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this for my book discussion and author event at the library. It's pretty cute so far, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the YA author event on the 17th.