Teen Book Review: Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson
Reviewed by Jacquelyn, Gr. 12


Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson is the witty, sparkling sequel to Suite Scarlett. Scarlett Martin is 15 years old, mastermind of stupid-plans-actually-get-carried-out-a-lot-more-than-you'd-think and a victim of slavery. Not exactly, but her eccentric boss Amy Amberson (who rivals Grandmere from Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries in terms of sanity) is pretty close to a slave driver. While Scarlett tries to keep her own sanity intact over her ex-flame Eric, her goofy brother Spencer becomes New York City's most hated villain, her levelheaded sister Lola goes over the edge, and her prickly youngest sister Marlene is acting disconcertingly sweet. Add her lab partner Max who is determined to push Scarlett to her breaking point and it's easy to see why everyone is plagued with Scarlett Fever.


Johnson writes dialogue so realistic one has to wonder if she spends her spare time hiding out in bushes, eavesdropping on teenagers. She puts a fresh spin on the New York City setting with the opulent but run-down Hopewell Hotel, where the charmingly quirky Martin family works and resides. The ending will leave you literally feverish for the last installment in the Scarlett series. This is one fever you won't want to get rid of.