Fix

Cameron Beekman's life changed forever when she had a nose job at age 15. No longer Beakface, she's now one of the Beautiful People. Accepted, popular, and glamorous, she's never been happier. Now 18, Cameron has no qualms about going under the knife again, but her decision has angered her parents, despite the fact that her young sister Allie will soon get a nose job herself. Allie has her reservations about the procedure, but when surrounded by her glamorous, model mother, and gorgeous, successful sister, she can't help but wonder...would plastic surgery finally allow her to fit in with her own family? Scintillating, gritty, and engrossing, Fix poses a simple, yet powerful question to women of today: what exactly is beauty? It's a controversial subject, and Margolis handles it with supreme competence. This is a novel that doesn't choose sides, but instead qualifies each view of cosmetic surgery. It's full of facts and details, delivering a truthful, introspective look at the issue of appearance. Each character's individualism stands out as they must make a decision that will change their lives. Unflinching and riveting, Fix will make you think. [...]

Having worked with high school and college students for the past 12 years, I found Fix to be entertaining from beginning to end with its multiple perspecitives on the white hot topic of plastic surgery. Whether you are intrigued by the world of nose jobs and breast implants or think that's all a bunch of nonsense, Fix will foster discussion among friends and compel you to reflect on your own vanity. I have just order Ms. Margolis' second book, Price of Admission, and look forward to reading more of her work!

"Fix" is a great book, filled with intriguing dilemmas and lots of thought-provoking scenes about cosmetic surgery. Although there's a lot of information here, it's woven in so seamlessly you never feel like you're sitting through a lecture. The book is well balanced, with plenty of arguments both for and against, and the text never gets preachy. Also, the characters are great. Although I felt sympathy for both sisters, I found myself rooting the strongest for the younger sister, Allie. Her interaction with a cranky faded movie star was the secret heart of the book. I found it hard to put down, especially in the second half, where the choices narrow in and the book takes on lots of momentum. If you've had plastic surgery, considered it, or just want to be opened up to some new ideas, this is an excellent pick.

The debut novel of social anthropologist and expert on all things teenaged Leslie Margolis, Fix is the story of a young woman, Cameron Beekman, who suffered years of being ostracized and called "Beakface" because of her large nose before a simple nose job transformed her life. Now, just as she is about to start college, she has decided to undergo breast surgery in order to move up from "smart and pretty" to "smart and drop-dead gorgeous". Meanwhile, her younger sister Allie is struggling with the concept of her own approaching nose job, and her mother contemplates cosmetic surgery to breathe life into her own struggling career. But cosmetic surgery is still surgery, and contains a plethora of medical and health risks. Cameron's own boyfriend doesn't understand how and why the surgery is important to her. Fix is graphic and very serious about the problems and numerous complications that can result from breast augmentation surgery, including the simple fact that it is almost never a one-time deal - women with breast implants usually need to have repeat surgeries over the course of years, even if nothing goes drastically wrong. Fix also explores two dynamic perspectives toward cosmetic surgery in the sisters: Cameron, who embraces procedures with fierce determination, and Allie, who gradually questions them more and more. Highly recommended reading, especially for girls ages 15 through 18, for its three-dimensional characters and straightforward, non-preferential treatment of all positive and negative aspects of cosmetic surgery.

FIX tells the story of two sisters - fifteen-year-old Allie and eighteen-year-old Cameron Beekman -- and how they deal with issues relating to plastic surgery. Having raised three daughters, I found this book to be incredibly realistic. The author is right on target in the way she deals with emotions, insecurities, and body image-related pressures in our society. It's also a fun and entertaining read.