Sami Granger is fresh off the bus from the Midwest when some crazy person in the bus terminal warns her that life in New York City won't be what she always dreamed of. But Sami's determined to make it in an industry that is notoriously hard to break in to. Nothing she ever learned in her small town can prepare her for her first job working for a hot-shot designer: He steals her designs!

Now the only place that will hire Sami is a trashy lingerie store that she's too embarrassed to tell her old-fashioned father about. Will a visit from her father land Sami on the catwalk, or out on the sidewalk?

Sadly, the book falls decidedly short of expectations. Everything about the book, from the characters' dialogue to their personalities to the situations, seems false. Seriously, could you imagine a tough guy from the Bronx *squealing* over two scoops of chocolate sorbet? Also, how could an 18-year-old with no proper training expect to just show up in New York and get a high-end job? The relationship Sami had with her father is not very well developed. Her aversion to her small-town life seems forced, almost as if it was put in there as an after-thought. Everything in the book is superficial. And, of course, it's all wrapped up in a nice little package, moral and all, in the last couple of pages.

If you need something to pass the time, this book is as good as any. Borrow it from a friend or buy it at a used bookstore, though. Don't waste too much money on it. It's very much not worth it.


New York Love   May 2, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Will moving to New York change Sammy Granger's life forever? Sammy is a young girl, straight out of high school. Who has moved away from her friends and family to follow her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. But does the young Minnesota girl know what the big city has in store for her?

Sammy has arrived at New York and has found a place to stay for a couple of days. But to find out she has to find a place sooner, because of a terrible tragedy that has happened. Then she finds an apartment to share with this model (Rain). Then Sammy gets a job, with this really hot boss who she starts to date. But later on Sammy will come to find out that he is not all he is cut out to be. This will take Sammy on a new and exciting journey.

It is through this tragedy that leads Sammy on a journey for a new job. This job is not at all what Sammy, or her family had in mind. Will Sammy's new job allow her to follow her dreams of becoming a fashion designer?
Sometimes life throws us a lot of curve balls. But Nancy Krulik gives us a chance to see how hard life can be in New York. But she also shows us that we should not give up, just because some people are crooks.

This book is great for high school students because it shows them how important choices are. Because if you don't know what you want than people are going to take advantage of you, when you get to be an adult, and live out on your own. I also think this is a good book because it targets a big variety of people.



A Stylish New York Romance   June 24, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Ok, so Sami is an aspiring clothes designer. So she moves into an apartment with a model, Rain. Enter the totally Hott, Vin. Now with a six pack like Nancy describes I've no idea how she could pass him up for Bruce. Yet when Bruce steals her designs she feels a little differently. Yet still can't seem to find the hottness of Vin irresistable. The combination of the main characters (Sami, Vin, and Rain) is a real up-lifting feeling. It'll put you in goos spirits and make you want to jump a plane to New York. Sami is an ambitious girl and I found her to be loveable. I found the book to be funny as well as romantic. I would kill to be in Sami's shoes. It also makes you think a little about your love life. Is Mr. Right starring you in the face? Read the book to see if Sami and Vin get together. It's a fun book to read. I really recommend it!!


Andrea's Summary: Ripped at the Seams ((MR MOORES CLASS))   October 11, 2004
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Review of: Ripped at the Seams
By: Andrea Barr

PART ONE: SUMMARY
Sammi Granger is a small-town girl from Elk Lake, Minnesota. As an aspiring clothes designer, Sammi takes a trip to New York, hoping to find a high-paying clothing design job. It turns out to be way harder than Sammi could have imagined. New York sends Sammi on an emotional roller coaster and changes her for good. She meets new people and has many new experiences as she learns the ways of the Big Apple. One day she gets a temporary job as a secretary of one of the huge clothing design names in New York. Sammi thinks this is her chance to make it big. Everything is going good for her: She has an apartment, a supermodel roommate, and a cute guy across the hallway. But soon everything goes downhill for Sammi as one of her Co-workers with connections, who promises Sammi fame and fortune, steals her designs and takes credit for them. Being determined, Sammi isn't down for long because soon she ties her new life together with old friends and takes New York by storm. At the end Sammi has finally put little Elk Lake on the map.

PART TWO: CHARACTER DESCRIPION AND RELATION
Sammi Granger, by the description of the book, looks like me but older and with darker hair. She is a bit gullible and naive, but is still very determined and cheerful. Her personality is like mine in some ways, although she doesn't use much common sense. She is a very sweet person most of the time, and she believes in herself. Believing in herself, in the end, helped her get what she wanted and deserved.

PART THREE: MY OPINION OF THIS BOOK
I really love this book. It's funny and romantic with a sense of humor added. It teaches you to keep on going and believe in yourself even if you have made mistakes. I loved the way the story played out and the way it was written It is one of my favorite books, because it was interesting and I love romantic comedies. My favorite part was the end o the book, where Sammi has everything she had hoped for; Including the man of her dreams and a popular clothing line. This type of book is a good book, and I would recommend it only to a friend, not as a class read.