Olivia enjoys acting in local commercials, even though it precludes participation in other activities. When the sudden onset of serious acne threatens both her new national campaign and her relationships with peers and a boyfriend, she must figure out what's truly important. Though the characterizations are pretty flat and plot telegraphing abounds, readers may empathize with Olivia's plight.

Just when you think every possible teen affliction has been covered in young adult literature, along comes Howse's debut novel about the perils of acne. Severe acne can be painful and embarrassing to any teen, but the situation is especially calamitous for 13-year-old TV-commercial actress Olivia Hughes. She's finally started her period, and her face begins to erupt at the worst possible time. She's just sealed the deal on a national advertising campaign to be the next Wacky Water Girl, and J.W., the hottest eighth-grader, has finally noticed her. Her dermatologist suggests reducing stress, but that's not likely. Her agent is pushy, her workaholic dad has relocated after her parents' divorce, her regretful mother tries to relive missed opportunities through Olivia's acting and Olivia has regular tiffs with her once-best friends. At first blaming the acne on a spider bite and then allergic reactions, Olivia must not only learn to admit that she has acne but that her career could be over forever. J.W.'s freshman cousin, Theo, who has rheumatoid arthritis, helps her find perspective and self-acceptance. While descriptions of Olivia's various treatment methods lean toward didactic rather than enlightening, her melodramatic first-person narration sums up the transition from preteen to teen and the onset of puberty. Light reading before moving on to the snark and thongs of Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson books. (author's note) (Fiction. 12-14)

Olivia Hughes has it all: beauty, popularity, boys, roles in national commercials-what could go wrong? The title gives an indication, and when Olivia's face begins to break out in enormous pimples for the first time, she is horrified. So is her savvy mother, who doesn't want these blemishes to get in the way of Olivia's earning power. When Olivia's breakouts worsen, becoming the "hard, blistery" variety, the 13-year-old begins to despair. But zits are not the end of the world-that is the clear, at times heavy-handed message of Howse's first novel; the author, herself a child actress and acne sufferer, does not shy away from graphic descriptions of acne (and rather clinical conversations about treatment). Perhaps the excessive positive aspects of Olivia's lucky life are meant to counteract the horrors of her breakouts. Zit woes aside, she's almost unbelievably well adjusted, and her voice too often sounds moralizing ("I was determined to cut down on meat and dairy. Besides sparing innocent animals, it also might help my skin"). Overall, the book feels designed more to reassure than to entertain. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)

Gr 6-9 At 13, Olivia Hughes knows what she wants to do with her life, and has already launched an acting career by landing parts in several commercials. Suddenly, on the day of her biggest audition yet, she gets a zit. Not only does she have to be treated by a dermatologist for her worsening skin, but she also has to deal with other stresses: a strained relationship with her mom, her feelings for a new boy in town, growing distant from one of her best friends, and an upcoming visit to her dad and his new girlfriend. As if this isn't enough, she is suddenly being scrutinized for every mark that appears on her face. The girl who seemed to have it all slowly starts losing it all, but in the end, that might not be such a bad thing. Olivia discovers that growing up is not always fun, but that she can learn from every experience. Howse provides a believable look at many common teenage problems, treating issues such as self-esteem, body image, divorce, and personal relationships. At times funny as well as heart-wrenching, Zitface conveys a wonderful message that people are not always what they seem and offers a story that readers can connect with and from which they can draw hope. Rebecca Webster, Warren County Middle School, Front Royal, VA