Overview

"Twelve-year-old Bela has always dreamed about becoming a famous Bollywood star, and now the opportunity might finally be within her grasp. When a reality TV show gives her the chance to dance in front of the nation, she knows that she is performing for a place at the most prestigious stage school in Mumbai. Can Bela win the Dance Starz competition to score a place at the Bollywood Academy and move one step closer to her dreams of stardom? And will child star Monica, the most ""in"" girl at school, see her as a friend or a rival? Praise for Starlet Rivals ""Bela dreams of Bollywood stardom - but can a girl from her less than privileged background have a chance of winning the national Dance Starz competition, and a place at a prestigious Mumbai stage school? A deliciously readable addition to the stage-school story canon for song-and-dance fans of 7+.""--The Guardian, Children's Book of the Month ""What follows is everything readers could want - dream come true film opportunities, stays in the most glamorous locations, new friendships and the tiniest hint of romance. Young readers who love Ballet Shoes or The Swish of the Curtain, or who dream of stage stardom, or those who just love stories with great characters in exciting situations, they'll all devour this new series. Applause all round!""--LoveReading4Kids ""Not only is the book bursting with glamour and excitement, it also has thoughtful messages about the perils of the limelight and the importance of doing the right thing. A delightful page-turner.""--Book Trust ""Boarding school, betrayal and Bollywood glamour - this book has it all. The first in Puneet Bhandal's brand new series is a riveting, rapturous read that's every bit as captivating as a show-stopping Bollywood dance. I would love to see it screened either as a movie or a Netflix series.""--Paperback Snob"

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9781913747909

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Reviews

Can an outsider make it in Bollywood? When 12-year-old Bela Khanna, who dreams of being a movie star, submits her video and is accepted as a contestant for the popular TV talent show Dance Starz, she and her family are thrilled. Bela wins and is given a scholarship to train with celebrities' kids at Bollywood Academy on Kohinoor Island, just outside her home city of Mumbai. Bela hits the ground running, with an audition and photoshoot--but when a story about nepotism in the industry breaks, the dynamics among the star kids and the others start to change. Will Bela be able to cope with the mounting pressure? Throughout her journey, Bela finds comfort and support in her family, her best friends from her old life, and some trusted folks within the school who also come from outside the film world. She learns to navigate the roller-coaster world of show business with aplomb, modeling how to seek support through healthy friendships. Readers will empathize with Bela, but her characterization would have benefited from more exploration of how dance became her happy place, and her lengthy internal monologues might cause their attention to waver. While the ending feels abrupt, this series opener sets the stage for more glamorous adventures. Opening and closing illustrations convey the story's essence. An uneven take on Bollywood fame.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (7/13/2022 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

"Puneet Bhandal is a former Bollywood film journalist and current owner of an Indian occasionwear boutique where her dresses are modeled by real-life stars including ""Miss England 2021."" Melody Queen is the second book in her debut series, inspired by her love of Bollywood."

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