Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 15, 2006
 

There have been many times in my life when I've said or done something so incredibly stupid that all I wish is that I could go back in time and do it differently. In my case, and most everyone else's, going back and fixing our mistakes isn't a possibility. For thirteen-year old, Elsa Alden, however, the same rules don't apply. Sure, her life isn't perfect; after all, her mother is still dead, her father is still moving her away to Harbin Springs, South Carolina in the middle of seventh grade, and she'll be leaving her best friend, Lani, behind. But things are about to start looking up.

First, she finds an old silver heart locket on a chain in her mom's old dresser at her grandmother's house. Her first day of school at Harbin Springs Middle School aren't as great as she had hoped, though. There's Queen Darcy, the most popular girl in the school, who seems to have already targeted Elsa as her next victim. Thankfully, her mother comes to her rescue by appearing to her in a dream and imparting the wisdom of that old locket, which just happens to have do-over power. Elsa can now turn back time--not years or even days, but by ten seconds. Which just happens to be enough time to redo whatever stupid thing she's just said or done.

Elsa knows just what she'll use her new do-over powers for--instant popularity. Sure, Darcy and her gang are shallow and fake, but they are the epitome of what it means to be popular. Plus, she can look extremely intelligent to her teachers, or show that she knows what she's doing when it comes to makeup (even if her Dad would kill her for wearing it), or even just appear to know all the juicy school gossip before anyone else. Need to go back and make yourself look good? Simply touch the locket, utter the words "do-over," and time goes back to ten seconds before.

Of course, Elsa's do-over ability causes some serious side effects that she hadn't planned on. Sure, there are some advantages to looking smart, and being popular, but there are also downfalls that she'd never imagined. As Elsa learns that do-over magic might not be as wonderful as she'd originally thought, she does learn about friendship, family loyalty, and dealing with the loss of her mother.

DO-OVER is a great book that teens will definitely enjoy, especially when they think about what they could do with their own powers to turn back time. Funny, imaginative dialogue and interesting characters make this a truly enjoyable read.