The Anti-Prom

Gr 9 Up—Abby McDonald has written a story (Candlewick, 2011) featuring fully-formed, flawed, and relatable characters. Three unlikely companions—Bliss (perfect and popular), Jolene (wild child and possible felon), and Meg (wallflower with a car)—are thrown together for one evening of plotting, scheming, adventure, criminal activity, and a whole lot of self-discovery. When Bliss leaves the prom to retrieve a forgotten lip gloss from her limo, she finds her supposed friend draped all over her boyfriend in the back seat. Jolene's prom night is not going well either. She's trying to deal with her own betrayals by the men in her life when Bliss recruits her for a revenge plan. Jolene grudgingly agrees to help because bailing with her makes more sense than spending the rest of the miserable evening at prom. When Meg, who is stood up by her date, literally runs into the two girls, she agrees to give them a ride and ends up living more in that one night than she has in all the years since her mom died. Julia Whelan gives each character a distinct voice, and her energy level is spot-on throughout the emotional roller coaster that was supposed to be their perfect prom night. A wonderful choice for summer listening.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA