All-Nighter

Gr 9 Up–It’s prom night, and seniors Tara and Autumn have their sights set on accomplishing vastly different goals by the end of the evening—neither of which include attending the dance. Tara, who builds walls and pushes people away, needs to finish an essay on Mrs Dalloway by 7 a.m. so that she can graduate. Rule follower Autumn, who is more comfortable with books than people, needs a fake Swansea College ID so that she can attend an open mic that her crush invited her to. Sworn enemies their entire high school career, disgruntled, they band together in an attempt to help each other complete their tasks. High jinks and mishaps proceed to happen over the course of the evening at a roller rink, on a boat, at a séance, and in various libraries. Told in alternating viewpoints, Vinesse’s book brings readers on a nonstop, and at times stressful, overnight adventure. With classic rom-com elements, this story is trope-y in all the best ways. Teens will relate and connect with both protagonists who are on the precipice of what happens next after graduation, and facing all the anxiety, fear, and anticipation that comes with.