[shelbstar276]

I read this book in public school that was for kids or tweens. It was about 3 stepsisters, or maybe they were actual sisters, but I don't think so, because I remember one of the girls being asian, and I'm pretty sure the rest weren't. I think 2 of their names were phoebe and chloe/cloe. The book was all about the girl's lives and I think they were all standing together on the cover of the book. I think the cover or title suggested that they were rebellious or were planning some sort of scheme, possibly against their stepdad? I remember that Phoebe is trying to lose weight to fit into a really small dress for a school dance, even though she wasn't overweight. She went to the pharmacy and was buying some sort of diet pills or something like that. A really nice guy from school ended up liking her for who she was and I think he came to her house to ask her to the dance? I think chloe was possibly rebellious or had a tough girl act going on, and I don't remember anything about the last sister. If anyone thinks they might know what I'm talking about, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance. :)

[Wondergirl]

Is it this one? --

The plot revolves around three teenage sisters who live with their single mother. Sired by three different fathers, the girls’ personalities, appearance, and last names are as diverse as they can possibly be. Brynn, the oldest, is a parent’s dream. She is pretty, a good student, responsible, reliable, hardworking, compassionate, and moral. It is Brynn who more or less keeps the home running smoothly. Then comes Chloe, whose father is Asian, and though Chloe is just as attractive as her sister, people continually assume she is Chinese, a situation that irks her enormously. Chloe’s only interest is Chloe. All she cares about is clothes, boys, and socializing with her friends. She is irresponsible at home and at school and is disrespectful to her family. Finally there’s Phoebe. She is the youngest, and unlike Brynn and Chloe, she is not blessed with natural good looks. In fact, she struggles with a weight problem which – combined with the constant volley of insults from Chloe – has left her with low self-esteem.

The underlying motivation in the girls’ lives is the upcoming prom. They all want to go. Chloe is working hard to get Shadd to ask her. Brynn is staunchly resisting the advances of Evan (even though she is attracted to him), because he is her best friend’s ex-boyfriend, while Phoebe is determined to lose some weight so that somebody/anybody will ask her. Complications arise when Chloe and her friends accidentally hurt the elderly proprietor of a Chinese restaurant and then flee the scene. In her dash to escape, Chloe drops her sweater, and the police (namely Officer Levesque) come knocking on her door. In the meantime, Phoebe is taking extreme measures to lose weight, and it is endangering her health. As for Brynn, she turns Evan down only to discover her friend has moved on to someone else.

Eventually, of course, all secrets get exposed, and lessons are learned all around, thanks in good measure to Levesque, who develops a relationship with the girls’ mother and starts spending more and more time around the home, setting the scene for subsequent novels.

[shelbstar276]

Yes!! Thank you so much! What is the title?

[Wondergirl]

First, tell me what a terrific librarian I am. :D

[Wondergirl]

The Third Degree. [Former title: The Stepfather Game.]

Norah McClintock.
Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 1990/2005.
196 pp. pbk. $6.99.
ISBN 0-439-95761-3.

Subject Headings:
Sisters - Juvenile fiction.
Problem youth - Juvenile fiction.
Body Image - Juvenile fiction.

Grades 6-10 / Ages 11-15.

The Third Degree: A Chloe and Levesque Mystery: Amazon.ca: Norah McClintock: Books

[shelbstar276]

You are absolutely wonderful! I've been looking forever for this book. I've tried to search a million different things on Google, but with no success. Thanks, so much. I really couldn't have found this book without you! So what is it called? :)

[shelbstar276]

Oh. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!

[Wondergirl]

All I did was Google "book three sisters asian phoebe chloe" (no quote marks), and Bob's your uncle, there it was.

[Wondergirl]

Have you hugged your librarian today? ;)

The library is the BEST place to go when you need to find out something. I "lived" in one for 30 years, so I know.

[shelbstar276]

No actually I haven't :) Thanks again.

[Wondergirl]

Happy reading! And always be nice to librarians!