Charlotte Cuts It Out

by Kelly Barson

Genres: Young Adult; YA Family; YA Social Themes

Synopsis

Lydia and I were in eighth grade when we came up with our Grand Plan to go to cosmetology school and get jobs to build our clientele while we earned business degrees. Then we’d open our own salon . . .

Now Charlotte and Lydia are juniors, in a Cosmetology Arts program where they’ll get on-the-job training and college credits at the same time. The Grand Plan is right on schedule.  Which means it’s time for Step Two: Win the Winter Style Showcase, where Cos Arts and Fashion Design teams team up to dazzle the judges with their skills.  Charlotte is sure that she and Lydia have it locked up—so sure, in fact, that she makes a life-changing bet with her mother, who wants her to give up cos for college.

And that’s when things start going off the rails.

As the clock ticks down to the night of the Showcase, Charlotte has her hands full. Design divas. Models who refuse to be styled. Unexpectedly stiff competition. And then, worst of all, Lydia—her BFF and Partner in Cos—turns out to have a slightly different Grand Plan . .

Like 45 Pounds (More or Less), K.A. Barson’s Charlotte Cuts it Out is a funny, relatable story set in the heart of the Midwest, just right for girls who have big dreams of their own.

Release date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Print pages: 256

Sample

Charlotte and Lydia’s Grand Plan

1. Win Winter Style Showcase. -->  Earn stellar reps, bragging rights, and accolades.
 
2. Graduate high school with honors, college credits, and cosmetology licenses.
 
3. Get an apartment together and jobs in a top salon to pay for college.
 
4. Get associates degrees in business at Jackson College.
 
5. Build clientele. --> Earn enough money to open a salon together.
 
6. Be the bosses and live happily ever after.

** Bonus: Marry best friends. (At the very least, they will become best friends.)