"Emma, the affable protagonist of this effervescent series launch, faces familiar eighth-grade quandaries. Her best friend is cozying up to superficial popular girls, one of whom has Emma's crush in her sights. Her grades are plummeting, and her mother constantly nags her to study more. It's what Emma is focusing on rather than schoolwork that lifts the novel from being standard middle-grade fare. A talented fashion designer and seamstress, Emma spends after-school hours sketching and sewing at her father's lace company. When a high-profile fashion editor is captivated by Emma's designs, Emma, worried she won't be taken seriously, passes them off as the work of the fictitious Allegra Biscotti. The ruse quickly spins out of control: the editor touts Allegra as a designer to watch and insists that she create--on a tight deadline--three original designs to showcase in her magazine... Credible characterizations and dialogue keep the novel real. For Project Runway aspirants, Bennett slips in detailed descriptions of the teens' outfits and Emma's designs, which appear in spot art. Ages 8-12. (Nov.) " - Publishers Weekly
"Gr 5-8-This book manages to make the wildly implausible seem possible. When Emma, 14, becomes the hottest new fashion designer for the Voguelike Madison magazine, she does it through hard work and the help of an old hand. She's given herself the nom de plume "Allegra Biscotti" to cover up that she's the girl the editor met at her father's lace warehouse. Emma comes off as a believable teen. She likes a boy who seems unattainable and disregards Charlie, her supportive friend and accomplice in deception. Holly, her other BFF, has become part of an in-crowd Emma has no desire to join. But the luscious descriptions of the clothes Emma imagines are the best aspect of the book. Tiny sketches accompany most of them and add charm to the pages. Trying to come up with three alluring new designs, the protagonist lets her grades slide, gets in trouble with her parents, and ends up enlisting the aid of the capable Marjorie, an office administrator who was a professional seamstress. Emma, Marjorie, and Charlie are well rounded... Kids interested in fashion are sure to become fans of the Allegra Biscotti collection.-Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, " - School Library Journal
""ALLEGRA BISCOTTI COLLECTION by Olivia Bennett; ages 9-11 is about a 14 yr old who becomes a fashion designer; Coco Chanel step aside!" The voice is perfect for projecting the personality of the main characters. I especially liked the personalities of the Ivana-bees! I remember those girls in school!" - Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books" -
""The wild adventures of Emma Rose will keep readers laughing. Young fashonistas will appreciate Emma's keen eye for style, and might even inspire girls to try their own hand at design. Allegra Biscotti is a must for all Tween collections."
--The CATS Meow (Baker & Taylor Newsletter) Rita Reale, Children's Librarian
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"This novel features likeable characters, snappy dialog, and an entertaining plot. Many teens will relate to the subplots of the shifting friendships, new crushes, and attempts to outsmart adults. Sketches of outfits scattered throughout the book add to the fun... Younger teens, especially those interested in fashion, will enjoy this fun, fast-paced read." - VOYA
"This one's for fashionistas! When one of Emma Rose's homemade designs is spotted by a fashion editor, Emma has to make up a secret identity as a sophisticated designer and finds that balancing school, boys and a glamorous career is a lot more complicated than she though (right, Miley?). " - Pixie magazine
"As a mother, I was surprised by how much I liked these books. The stories were very entertaining, but I actually liked the messages even more. Both books were very clean and while they did delve a bit into crushes, it was all very sweet. At first I was worried because Emma and Charlie seemed to be creating a lot of stories (and lies...); however, Emma did eventually tell her parents about Allegra Biscotti's identity. I liked that Emma got punished for lying, but I really loved that her parents listened to her and supported her love of fashion. In addition, there were so many important messages about friendship and staying true to one's self. I don't think tween girls can hear either of those things too many times. --Booking Mama

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