Bibliography:
Dean, Zoey. 2007. How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. New York: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN: 9780446697187

Plot Summary:
Megan Smith, Yale graduate, wants to be an important writer, writing about things that matter.  But she finds herself low man on the totem pole at a celebrity tabloid magazine.  When her apartment catches fire and she loses even that job in the same week, she doesn’t think things can get any worse.  And then her former boss introduces her to Laurel Limoge, who makes Megan an offer she can’t refuse:  get her two bratty twin granddaughters into Duke, and I’ll pay off your college loans.  The twins are rich and spoiled and have never studied in their lives.  But the great suite of rooms, use of a car, spending money, and drag queen chef/fairy godmother certainly help, as does the cute guy next door.

Critical Analysis:
It is hard to be critical of a book like this–it accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish–a light fluffy chick lit of a story with a dash of wit and humor thrown in.  Dean (who is a pseudonym for two well-known young adult authors) usually writes the A-List series, and this too feels much more older teen than adult, although to be honest, most chick lit features young female protagionists and therefore appeals to older teen girls.  I really did enjoy all the descriptions of clothes and fabulous parties, and the fake SAT questions at the beginning of each chapter were quite funny.  But underneath, there is a story that appeals to many, in that Megan is getting the chance to see (and report on) how the other half lives up close.  She leaves her dreary oridinary life behind for a Cinderella type transformation, only to realize that she was beautiful all along.

I remember when this book was published but there were so many other things to read I never got around to it..  What prompted me to pick it up was watching a preview of the new CW show, Privileged.  The announcer mentioned that show was based on a popular novel.  I was left thinking, really, which one?  So a quick internet search turned up the name. I have now watched the first episode of the show and finished the book.  The show is not a carbon copy of the book, but I do think it captures the spirit of the book, and the main plot lines are still intact.  It does seem that Megan’s family story has changed, and gone is her long time college boyfriend.  But the rags to riches Cinderella story remains, as does the challenge of getting the twins to buckle down and study.  I am eager to see more of the show (a sure sign it will be cancelled), and left wondering how the show will sustain the story lines?

Review Excerpts:

Booklist: “Thrust into the conservative, money-dripping world of Palm Beach, Florida, Megan quickly learns that not everybody is as she first appears. Predictable? Yes, but Megan is quirky enough to keep the pages flipping, and the love story has a nice, made-for-the-movies ending.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Dean’s writing is swift and the book is consistently funny, though her twin terrors aren’t as nasty as they could be. Regardless, this is a great one to take to the beach.”