Saving Zoe, Alyson Noel

Noel, Alyson (2007).
Saving Zoe
New York: St. Martin’s Griffin9
780312355104
Genre: Realistic fiction

High school provides grief and isolation to Echo whose older sister Zoë died a year earlier, but insights gained from Zoë’s diary-a fifteenth birthday gift from Zoë’s boyfriend- about her sister’s life and death change Echo in ways she never expected.
_______________________________________

Fifteen-year-old Echo, is a typical teen trying to survive high school without being totally traumatized by boy trouble, friend drama, and school issues. As if she didn't have enough on her plate, Echo is also still dealing with the murder of her sister Zoë. Although it's been over a year, Echo is still reeling from tragedy that changed everything. Beautiful and full of life, Zoë was the glue that held her family together, and although the two sisters were as different as night and day, they still had a bond that Echo can't let go of. When Zoë's old boyfriend Marc shows up one day with Zoë's diary, Echo doesn't think there's anything in there she doesn't already know. But as she gives in to curiosity and starts reading, she learns that her sister led a secret life that no one could have guessed--not even Echo.
The author has created two very strong character in sisters Zoe and Echo. We meet Zoe through her diary entries, and the reader can totally understand Zoe’s desire to shake off the dust of her little hometown and become famous. Although she has done little to achieve this goal and has no plan in place to achieve this goal, it doesn’t make this dream seem any less real to Zoe or the reader. Unfortunately like many girls her age, she seems to think that just showing up in Hollywood will be enough to guarantee her stardom which makes her tragic end so painfully real. Echo who is the total opposite of her sister (academic straight arrow) who always and a strong sense of herself and never envied Zoe,, reveals her own turmoil as she tries to deal with her sister’s death and the macabre light it sheds on her. As Echo reads Zoe’s diary, she starts trying to be Zoe in the hope that this will ease some of the pain. Will Echo lose her own identity as she tries to become her sister?

Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles

Simone, Elkeles (2009).
Perfect Chemistry
New York: Walker and Co.
9780802798237
Genre: Realistic fiction

When wealthy, seemingly perfect Brittany and Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, develop a relationship after Alex discovers that Brittany is not exactly who she seems to be, they must face the disapproval of their schoolmates – and others.
____________________________________

Wealthy Brittany seems to have it all, the perfect family, the perfect body, the perfect boyfriend- in short the perfect life. At least that is what she wants people to believe as she tries to cover up a less than perfect family. Her mother is obsessed with putting on the perfect image; her father barely communicates with his family living only for his business, and her 20 year-old sister who was born with Cerebral-Palsy is the only family member she feels connected to. Her life slowly starts to unravel at the beginning of her senior year of high school when her chemistry teacher makes her and gang banger Alex Fuentes lab partners for the entire year. Alex, of course, is not who he appears to be either. He is a gang banger who joined only to protect is family and longs to leave the gang life and go to college. At first they can’t stand each other, but after Alex accepts a bet from one of his friends that he can’t bed Brittany by Thanksgiving – things start to warm up. But when they each start to discover the real person hiding behind the others persona, deeper feelings start to develop and flourish. Both Brittany and Alex learn that they must be true to their inner-feelings, hopes and dreams. Perfect Chemistry is a nice love story even if only the two main characters are fully realized. Family and friends seem like one-dimensional clichés, and the author depicts present day gang life using characters and situations that are more in keeping with West Side Story.

Bliss, Lauren Myracle

Myracle, Lauren (2008).
Bliss
New York: Amulet Books
978-0810970717
Genre: Horror Fiction

Having grown up in a California commune, Bliss sees her aloof grandmother's Atlanta world as a foreign country, but she is determined to be nice as a freshman at an elite high school, which makes her the perfect target for Sandy, a girl obsessed with the occult.
________________________________________________

Fourteen-year-old Bliss moves in with her conservative grandmother when Bliss’ hippie parents seek refuge in Canada from Nixon’s policies. Raised on a commune, Bliss has never used perfumed shampoo or watched television, so her grandmother’s life in Atlanta seems foreign and glamorous at the same time. Bliss cannot wait to start the elite prep school her grandmother has chosen if only to make a friend her own age, and she secretly wonders… will the people be like those on her favorite TV show- The Andy Griffith Show? Myracle creates a naïve young girl who is soon lost amid the catty and superficial girls (from Rhymes with Witches) and the overwhelming campus with its rules and expectations. Bliss, sensitive to the supernatural, immediately hears a creepy voice of a girl who died on campus. Bliss simultaneously befriends some pseudo-popular girls as well as outcast Sandy, who just happens to be obsessed with the occult and death of the student. The novel is set in the 1970s, which may put off some readers, but Myracle includes quotes from the Andy Griffith Show as well as the Tate-La Bianca murder trial (Charles Manson is especially creepy), which foreshadow the action of each chapter and may intrigue some readers. Myracle includes racial issues (and a subplot of the star black athlete secretly dating the white it girl), class issues, prom drama, and the flip of unpopular to popular within months that can only happen in high school fiction. As Bliss matures, she maintains her ideals, witnesses a death at the prom and refuses to offer her blood as sacrifice for Sandy and the ghost that haunts the school.

No More Us for You, David Hernandez

Hernandez, David (2009).
No More Us For You
New York: HarperTeen
978-0061173332
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Isabel and Carlos, both seventeen, find themselves growing closer after an unexpected accident forces them to confront both the harshness and the beauty of life.
___________________________________________

Carlos works as a security guard at the Long Beach Museum; he has just found out that his girlfriend, whom his parents adore, is cheating on him. Isabel, whose boyfriend died a year ago in a car accident, walks through life in a cloudy haze as she contemplates hers and everyone else’s mortality. The two narrate the novel in alternating chapters; the narrations converge when they meet through mutual friend, Vanessa-the new girl at school-who also works at the museum and tries to set the two up on a date. Hernandez includes the bizarre, mundane, and tragic of a teens’ life: Carlos’ best friend gets his girl pregnant, his other close friend, Snake, is at risk of suspension and Carlos is saving his money up for clothes, etc. while Isabel tries to decide if her butt is too big and whether she is ready to go partying on the weekends. The two double date with Vanessa and Snake to the school dance. While Carlos and Isabel decide to go into the dance, Snake and Vanessa claim that they will be in shortly so they can finish up their drinks. When Carlos and Isabel return to the parking lot, they realize the car is gone. The next day, amid all the high sschool gossip, Carlos and Isabel learn that Vanessa and Snake have been in a tragic car accident; Vanessa is dead and Snake is in a coma.

Hernandez presents a realistic portrayal of two teens attempting to deal with their grief and still longing for a mutual connection. Both suffer guilt and despair and readers will be drawn into their hearts. Hernandez uses the museum as a vehicle to bring hope and love back into the teens’ hearts and lives together.

Off-Color, Janet McDonald

McDonald, Janet (2007).
Off-Color
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
978-0374371968
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Fifteen-year-old Cameron, living with her single mother in Brooklyn, finds her search for identity further challenged when she discovers that she is the product of a biracial relationship.
____________________________________________

Fifteen-year-old Cameron lives in a white working class section Brooklyn with her single mom. Cameron’s concerns revolve around wearing clean clothes and getting to school on time. However, everything changes when Cameron’s mother loses her job at the nail salon and is forced to move into the all minority projects across Brooklyn. Cameron fears culture shock as well as abandonment from her friends. Soon after moving, Cameron discovers a photo album in her mother’s room. The album contains a picture of Cameron’s father—who happens to be black. Cameron never suspected her mixed heritage, and she cautiously questions her biracial identity. Because everyone thinks Cameron is white, Cameron wonders what will happen if she tells them the truth—but then, Cameron doesn’t know what it means to be black. In her confusion, she struggles to tell her old friends while making new friends in the projects. Even though each friend represents a stereotypical caricature of black people (the sassy wise widow, the ghetto fab hood rats, etc), they each allow Cameron the opportunity to contemplate her identity. As Cameron grows more comfortable, many characters admit their own biracial heritage (guidance counselor, Afr Am studies teacher, new friends in the projects) which seems improbable. Still the novel will facilitate thought about biracial individuals. Ghetto speak abounds without much profanity or sex.

Boy Toy, Barry Lyga

Lyga, Barry (2007).
Boy Toy
Boston: Houghton Mifflin
9780618723935
Genre: Realistic Fiction

After five years of fighting his way past flickers of memory about the teacher who molested him and the incident that brought the crime to light, eighteen-year-old Josh gets help coping with his molester’s release from prison when he finally tells his best friend the truth.
______________________________________________

Eighteen-year-old Josh is getting ready to play the biggest baseball game of his career, graduate from high school, and decide on which college to attend when he learns that the teacher who molested him when he was twelve years old is soon to be paroled. He avoids talking about his feelings until his former best friend Rachel forces him to share what happened before their disastrous game of spin the bottle when they were thirteen. When Josh turned thirteen, he had a small party with his close friends, Zik, Michelle and Rachel. An awkward game of spin the bottle and a few minutes in the closet with Rachel ensue. When Rachel kisses Josh, Josh responds in a much more aggressive manner, and Rachel runs crying to her parents. When a nervous and confused Josh responds that “Eve likes it,” Josh’s experiences and situation are brought to the attention of his family and the whole town. As Josh tells Rachel how everything happened, readers learn that Josh’s young, attractive, married history teacher Eve befriended a twelve-year-old Josh and his family. Josh thinks he has fallen in love with Eve, and even though he knows what he is doing is wrong, he follows his heart and hormones. In fact, Josh thinks he has seduced Eve when in fact it is she that has preyed upon him. Josh’s twelve-year-old voice captures the innocence and sexual awakening of an adolescent who is experiencing puberty. Even though Josh undergoes years of therapy, it is his confession to Rachel which allows him to face his past so that he may pursue his future. The novel contains many riveting scenes: Eve’s distraught husband attacks and beats twelve year old Josh to a pulp; Josh confuses a middle aged woman with a child as a newly released Eve and his possible child; his coach taunts him into running faster by exclaiming “you didn’t sleep with me!” and Josh punches his coach out; Josh experiences many “flickers” or memories of what happened with Eve on many different occasions and confuses his memories with reality; however, the most riveting scene is when Josh confronts a recently released Eve. The narrative is well-paced and tightly written with the shorter “present” chapters versus the longer “past” chapters. The inclusion of Josh’s baseball prowess and future career lightens the material while demonstrating Josh’s need for control and escape.

Confessions of a Serial Kisser, Wendelin Van Draanen

Van Draanen, Wendelin (2008).
Confessions of a Serial Kisser
New York: Alfred A. Knopf
9780375942488
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

After reading her mother’s secret collection of romance novels during her parents’ difficult separation, seventeen-year-old Evangeline Logan begins a quest for the prefect kiss.
___________________________________________

Music–loving Evangeline used to be happy-go-lucky until her father had an affair, and her parents separated. After months of wallowing in depression, Evangeline finds her mother’s secret stash of romance novels, and Evangeline decides to change her attitude. In particular, Crimson Kiss grabs Evangeline’s attention and after a do-it-herself makeover and the advice from one of her mom’s self help books, Evangeline decides to turn her fantasy into reality and seeks the passion of a crimson kiss. Unfortunately, Evangeline kisses one too many people- from the popular jock at school, the bookish quiet guy, the random guy at Starbucks, her best friend’s brother and even, unbeknownst to Evangeline, her best friend’s crush. As she flounders through her innocent kisses, Evangeline cannot understand why such perfect looking guys cannot deliver the crimson kiss and why she gains a bad reputation- even her teachers are talking! All the while Evangeline refuses to forgive her father even though her mother seems to be reconciling with him. Only when Evangeline’s best friend refuses to forgive her does Evangeline see any parallels between the two situations. Two thirds into the novel, I worried Evangeline was perpetuating dismal female stereotypes- the hysterical, emotional non-thinking female and/or the promiscuous whore. However, Van Draanen restores my faith as she reunites Evangeline with her love of music via the local record storeowner. Evangeline learns to channel her passion, forgive her father and regains her best friend. Van Draanen’s open ending with respect to two possible love interests for Evangeline is extremely realistic, and readers will overlook the didactic message because Evangeline’s voice is so endearing and likeable.

Before, After and Somebody in Between, Jeannine Garsee

Garsee, Jeannine (2007).
Before, After, and Somebody in Between
New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
9781599902920
Genre: Realistic Fiction


SUBJECT: Alcoholism, drug abuse, problem families, high school, poverty fiction

After dealing with an alcoholic mother and her abusive boyfriend, a school bully, and life on the wrong side of the tracks in Cleveland, Ohio, high school sophomore Martha Kowalski expects to be happy when she moves in with a rich family across town, but finds that the "rich life" has problems of its own.
______________________________________________

Martha Kowalski is a intelligent and beautiful girl who suffers because of her environment. She has an alcoholic mother who resents Martha’s love of music, in fact, Martha’s existence; she clothes herself from the Goodwill box in the hallway and eats whatever happens to be in the kitchen when her mother remembers to go grocery shopping. And her mother has a knack for picking losers as boyfriends. So when Martha and her mother move in with Wayne, an abusive alcoholic who rents his upstairs to a single black mother with 3 kids, Martha wonders why her mother can’t do something differently- get sober, pick a better man and live somewhere decent. Martha befriends Jerome one o the boys who lives upstairs and the two forge a friendship. But it doesn’t allow her to escape her life. Martha suffers taunting from the kids at school and, in one crucial scene, Martha pulls a knife on her tormentor. Garsee includes so many crucial scenes: Jerome’s cousin steals Martha’s cello; Martha steals Jerome’s drug money to pay for it, and when the cousin cannot pay his debts, the drug dealers commit a drive by shooting; Jerome’s baby brother is killed. The same night all of this happens, Martha’s mom kicks Martha out of the house in a drunken stupor. When mom ends up in a rehab, again, Martha is sent to live with foster families. After a bad experience, she ends up living with a wealthy lawyer, his wife and daughter. The story becomes a fairy tale as Martha desperately tries to change her life and identity. However, Martha learns that she has to face who she is once her mother completes rehab and Martha must return to her poverty stricken life. Garsee descriptions are gritty and raw-- from the stained clothes that Martha wears to her Martha’s mom strung out on the couch with her rehab friends to Martha’s longing for a chance at a new life with a music scholarship. The fairy tale stereotypes of the wealthy family are realistic in that the family hides their own secrets of alcoholism and drug dependency. Martha, and readers alike, are afforded the opportunity to witness the effects of drug abuse in the poor and wealthy alike. When Martha returns and her mother relapses, Martha leaves the house and readers are left with the image of Martha calling her social worker from a pay phone, and readers will wonder if Martha will make it.

Princess in Pink, Meg Cabot

Cabot, Meg. (2004).
Princess in Pink.
New York: Harper Collins.
0060096101
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

In a series of humorous diary entries, high school freshman (and Genovian Princess) Mia tries to get her reluctant boyfriend to take her to the prom.
___________________________________________

In the fifth installment of the Princess Diaries, Mia, once again, struggles with her royal family. Her father wants her to go to Genovia for the summer but that would take her away from Michael. Besides, before summer, Mia has to convince Michael to take her to the prom even though he hates the idea of it. Grandmere adds to the drama when her dog gets loose at Mia’s birthday party, and the mishap leads to a citywide food services strike inspired by Mia’s best friend! Mia is torn between her family loyalty and her friend’s actions…and with the strike, there is no venue for the prom. While Grandmere refuses to take responsibility, she does assist Mia in saving her friendship – and the prom. Mia’s antics always amuse and her honest voice guarantees to keep audiences coming back for the next installment—Princess in Training.

Prom Kings and Drama Queens, Dorian Cirrone

Cirrone, Dorian. (2008).
Prom Kings and Drama Queens.
New York: HarperTeen.
9780061143731
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Being caught between a relationship with the boy of her dreams and planning a prom with her rival causes Emily Bennet to examine her values and make a difficult decision.
_________________________________________
Emily Bennet doesn’t buy into the superficial mindset of the rich kid prep school she attends. She has wanted to stand out and show everyone she can make a difference. She decides to go for the editor-in-chief position for her school newspaper, but her nemesis, Daniel, also vies for the position. At the same time, Emily has to figure out how attract the attention of her gorgeous basketball-star neighbor Brian. Not only will he notice her, but he may also take her to the prom. Emily bonds with Daniel when the two would-be editors witness Daniel and his teammates commit a shocking act of vandalism; the two reporters are shut out by school administration and unable to inform the community of the vandals’ identity. Emily and Daniel decide to take action and push for an alternative, less costly prom and donate the monies to a nursing home. Emily’s realization that looks can be deceiving is told through a refreshing, intelligent and witty voice. Definitely recommended—teens will enjoy Emily’s relationship choices as well as the inclusion of the social consciousness aspect.

Some Like It Hot: An A List Novel, Zoey Dean

Dean, Zoey. (2006).
Some Like It Hot: An A List Novel.
New York: Little, Brown and Company.
978-0316010931
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Each of the A-list girls experiences the fast-paced world of Beverly Hills and high school as they prepare for prom.
______________________________________________
Fast-paced and brimming with intrigue, the sixth volume of the A-List series focuses on the glamour, the stress and drama of being an A-lister in high school during prom. Anna loves that Ben has come back for the summer but can she trust him with soon-to-be transformed Maddy? Cammie searches for her mother and enlists the help of her boyfriend, Adam, yet she becomes embarrassed and overwhelmed by her findings. Will Adam tell? Dee gets a hall pass from the hospital to attend prom and immediately falls for Jack, Bens’ roommate, but things are never easy on the A-list…Sam, the only one who shuns the prom, becomes involved in saving prom when a fire claims the ideal prom location-an L.A. landmark. Although they each have their own drama to contend with, the A-listers stick together amid the twists and turns of high school romance, Hollywood drama and couture fashion. Zoey seamlessly weaves teen issues of love, psychiatry, and popularity throughout the contemporary series; readers will clamor for the next title to see what the girls do next.

Cindy Ella, Robin Palmer

Palmer, Robin. (2008).
Cindy Ella.
New York: Puffin.
9780142403921
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Sophomore Cindy Gold writes an anti-prom letter to the school newpaper, but as she develops crushes on various boys, she begins to question her convictions.
_________________________________________

Cindy Ella Gold lives in L.A. and although her family has money, Cindy Ella doesn’t like to shop. She has a cosmetically altered stepmother, popular twin stepsisters (the Clones), a younger stepbrother and father-all of which she gets along with even though her name causes everyone to link her a fairytale princess. When Cindy Ella writes an anti-prom letter to the school paper, she creates an uproar among the student body and instructors! It seems her best friends Malcolm and India are the only ones who get Cindy Ella. But when her two best friends go to prom, long time chat-buddy Bklyn Boy seems to be Cindy Ella’s only confidante. Cindy Ella is a clumsy, blundering, likeable girl who believes strongly in her convictions. Readers will relate to her inner voice and her intense unrequited crushes. But when she confides in her chat-buddy on prom night, she gets a shocking surprise which will inspire readers to cheer her on. Palmer’s modern interpretation of the classic fairytale lacks any of the fantasy (no godmother, no mice, or pumpkins!), and readers will enjoy it all the more for it.

Prom Anonymous, Blake Nelson

Nelson, Blake. (2006).
Prom Anonymous.
New York: Viking.
0670059455
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Three childhood friends reunite to attend prom and gain some surprising insights into themselves.
___________________________________________

Nelson captures the voices of three distinctly different girls in this lively novel. Even though they have drifted apart since they started high school, Laura decides that prom would be the ultimate if she triple-dated with her two best friends, Chloe and Jace. Only the girls are so different now: sexually active Laura is the ultimate chic prom-planner even if her boyfriend doesn’t want to go; artsy Chloe seems to care more about being an outcast and on the fringe more than anything else; and athletic, shy Jace has a mad crush on the star tennis player at school. Lauren tries to plan it all from the dates, to the clothes and even accessories. The novel’s focus is prom and the flame of fierce friendship is rekindled as the girls bond. Readers who liked The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will devour Prom Anonymous in a liquid minute!

21 Proms, Dave Levithan

Levithan, Dave. (2007).
21 Proms.
New York: Scholastic.
9780439890298
Genre: Short Stories, Chick-Lit

In a collaboration that brings together an impressive array of 21 authors, Levithan and Ehrenhaft have produced a worthy collection of memorable prom stories.
___________________________________________
Starred in Library Journal, this collection of 21 short stories from various young adult fiction writers has it all—from the most innocent to the most vulgar happenings at prom. Told from both the male and female perspective, these tales will celebrate the good, the bad and the ugly about prom: the drinking, the dancing, the unrequited love and the most passionate sex. Included are selections from Libba Bray, Holly Black, Dan Ehrenhart, Adrienne Vrettos and Cecily Von Ziegessar to name a few. A great read for those anticipating prom as well as those who have their own fond, and not so fond, memories!

Top 10 Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, Tina Ferraro

Ferraro, Tina. (2006).
Top 10 Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress.
New York: Delacorte.
9780385903837
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-lit

When she is stood up for the prom, high school junior Nicolette works on a top ten list of things to do with her unworn dress while also trying to help her divorced parents and deal with her best friend and potential boyfriends.
_______________________________________
It’s right before prom, and Nicolette just got dumped by the hottest guy at school. She can’t decide what to do with the perfect, albeit expensive, pink vintage dress she bought. She can’t bring herself to return the dress, so she starts her list of the Top 10 Uses for her beloved dress. The costly dress weighs heavily on her because money is an issue; Nicolette might lose her sports scholarship to pay for college while she and her mom are on the verge of losing their home. It seems the only one who can help is Nicolette’s best friend’s hot brother, Jared, who just happens to be a whiz with numbers. Nicolette has a lot on her plate as she struggles with her feelings for her ex, her family’s finances, her “friendship” with Jared, and what to do with that adorable prom dress. Nicolette is spunky with just the right amount of naivete. Readers will definitely identify with Nicolette, especially as she grapples with such timely issues.

24 Girls in 7 Days, Alex Bradley

Bradley, Alex. (2005).
24 Girls in 7 Days.
New York: Dutton.
0525473696
Genre: Realistic Fiction. Chick-Lit

Jack Grammar, average American senior, has no date to the prom, but havoc ensues when his so-called best friends post an ad in the classified section of the school newspaper. Jack has just seven days to date and choose one from the list and try to figure out the identity of his secret advisor.
________________________________________
Seventeen-year-old Jack Grammar, a self-proclaimed dork, has just been turned down for the prom. So his two best friends, Natalie and Percy, place an ad in the online school newspaper to find Jack a prom date. Bombarded with over 100 responses, the two decide to weed the list down to 24 girls. While Jack is initially upset, he agrees to participate in the plan. Jack meets and dates every imaginable type of girl: the jock, the prom queen, the rebel, the actress, etc. But when mysterious FancyPants starts to offer advice via email, Jack can’t help but wonder, is it Natalie? Multiple escapades, a short-lived romance, and late night conversations allow Jack to make his surprising decision about his prom date and learn the identity of FancyPants. Twists and turns, lies and truths abound as Jack gets to know himself and gains self-confidence. Bradley’s poignant romantic comedy is sure to entertain boys and girls alike.

Prom, Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2005).
Prom.
New York: Viking.
0670059749
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

Eighteen-year-old Ash wants nothing to do with senior prom, but when disaster strikes and her desperate friend, Nat, needs her help to get it back on track, Ash's involvement transforms her life.
_______________________________________
Starred in Booklist, Anderson’s Prom offers a warm and amusing story about practical eighteen- year-old Ashley who lives in a working class Philadelphia town that is obsessed with the prom. The catch is Ashley is completely anti-prom; she’s more focused on graduating and getting an apartment with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend, TJ who happens to be a high-school drop out. In an authentic voice, Ashley shares the details of her humdrum and, at times, mortifying life: her job as a character at EZ-CHEEZ-E, her gorgeous but loser boyfriend TJ, her wacky family, including her pregnant mom. When the math teacher at her high school steals the prom fund and Ashley’s prom-obsessed best friend Nat breaks her leg, the true bonds of friendship become clear: Ashley pairs up with Nat (who heads the prom committee) to make prom happen in just eleven days! If that isn’t enough, Ashley’s detentions and grades may keep her from attending the prom she is so desperately trying to plan. Anderson’s energetic, quick-paced novel is sure to keep anti-prom and pro-prom readers enthralled as they witness Ashley’s heroic behavior and success at saving the prom. Readers will appreciate Ashley’s realistic perspective as she realizes that living with her boyfriend is not her only option after high school. Young adults will enjoy this modern, realistic, fun take on a fairy tale.

Something, Maybe, Elizabeth Scott

Scott, Elizabeth (2009)
Something, Maybe
New York : Simon Pulse.
9781416978657
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Hannah tries to avoid behaving like her embarrassing parents, but her plans become complicated when she develops a crush on a cute coworker.
_______________________________________
Hannah Jackson James has worked long and hard to be invisible at Slaterville High School. She is quiet girl who yearns for normal parents because hers are such an embarrassment. Her estranged father is Jackson James, a Hugh Hefner-like celebrity and featured party star of the reality TV show and website, JJ’s Dreamworld. Her father talks and acts like he is twenty-two years old when in reality he is seventy two! Her mother, Candy Madison, was once his girlfriend and a special star on the show. Candy now supports Hannah and herself by appearing as an erotic Web-chat hostess wearing only lingerie on “The Candy Club.” Hannah’s own life is much more mundane as she works at Burgertown U.S.A. as a “drive-thru specialist.” Unexpectedly, Hannah’s father contacts her and tries to renew their estranged relationship. To complicate matters, Hannah also finds herself attracted to two boys: handsome, dreamy Josh and funny, annoying Finn. Despite Hannah’s quirky parents, Something, Maybe is a bit predictable, but still fun. Romance readers will enjoy this classic teen angst romance and look for more.