Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse (2006). Prom. New York, New York: Puffin. 

ISBN: 9780142405703

224 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Chick-Lit

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: Prom, High School, Relationships, Identity

Reader's Annotation

Ashley is a high school senior who doesn't care about school or prom until the new math teacher steals the prom money and Ashley finds herself trying to save prom so her best friend will have the night she always wanted. 

Summary

Ashley is a normal high school senior who can't wait to finish school (if she manages to graduate), move into an apartment with her boyfriend TJ, and start real life. She doesn't care about school functions, and declares that she couldn't care less about prom. When the new math teacher makes off with the prom money, however, Ashley's best friend Natalia drags her on to the prom committee. Ashley realizes she's capable of more than she thought as she manages to save prom for herself, her best friend, and she creates a night she'll never forget. 

Notes

This is notably lighter than either Twisted or Speak, but it still has strong characters that make this book utterly readable and enjoyable. Girls will likely relate to it more because it is told from a female's point of view. 

Author Information

Laurie Halse Anderson's Website

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse (2007). New York: New York: Viking Juvenile Press. 

ISBN: 0670061018

272 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: High School, Crime, Popularity, Relationships, Alcohol, Abusive Home

Reader's Annotation

After a summer of community service, Tyler Miller starts his senior year with a body that gets the attention of Bethany Millbury, his social and economic opposite, and things are looking up… but as with everything else in Tyler's life, happiness is short-lived and he soon finds himself accused of a crime he didn't commit. 

Summary

Tyler Miller had been a nobody- he didn't play sports, he wasn't rich, and he spent most of his time playing video games  -until he sprayed graffiti over his school. He was forced to do community service over the summer and so he entered senior year with a chiseled new body that got the attention of Bethany Miller, a rich social queen bee who is his opposite on many levels. Her brother is his nemesis, and her father is his father's boss. So when he rejects her drunken advances at a party and then nude pictures of Bethany start circulating, and Tyler is facing charges again. He finds no support from his home life or from people at school, and he starts circling the drain, wondering how to get out of the mess he didn't create. 

Notes

This is a book that can be rather dark at times, and the resolution isn't totally satisfying, but overall, it presents a realistic portrayal of high school life for those who are on the outside. 

Awards

ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2008

ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2008

International Reading Association TOp Ten of 2007

New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age

New York Times Bestseller List

Tayshas High School Reading List 2008 (Texas)

Heartland Award Nominee (Kansas)

Georgia Peach Book Award Nominee

Thumbs Up! Award Nominee (Michigan)

Amazon Editor's 2007 Pick for Teens

Borders YA Book Club Pick

Starred Review, KLIATT

Starred Review, Kirkus

Other Information

Readers who enjoyed the realism of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak will find that this book has similar resonance. It hits at some dark issues without shying away from the darkness, which can be somewhat scary. Ultimately, there is resolution within this story. It is also available in audiobook. 

Author Information

Laurie Halse Anderson's Official Website