Synopses & Reviews
A funny and smart romantic comedy about getting the guy. . . and finding yourself.
Sophomore Nora Fulbright is the most talented and popular new cheerleader on the Riverbend High cheer squad. Never mind that she used to be queen of the nerdsa chess prodigy who answered every question first, aced every test and repelled friends at every turnbecause this year, Nora is determined to fully transition from social pupa to full blown butterfly, even if it means dumbing down her entire schedule. But when funny, sweet and very cute Adam moves to town and steals Noras heart with his untra-smarts and illegally cute dimple, Nora has a problem. How can she prove to him that shes not a complete airhead? Allyson Valentine has created a story so full of enamoring characters, pitch-perfect humor, and delightfully frustrating romance that it will leave you cheering. Great for fans of Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss, Susanne Colosanti and Sarah Dessen.
Praise for HOW (NOT) TO FIND A BOYFRIEND:
Great characters and plenty of plot twists and turns add to the appeal of this lighthearted love story.” Voice of Youth Advocates
In Valentine's sassy debut, readers will groan as Nora messes everything up, and may grow frustrated with her choices (For a smart girl you've had a pretty solid run of stupid”), but if they relate to her plight, they will find her funny, too.” Booklist
Valentine offers a book about honoring the truth, following one's bliss, and being oneself that avoids being saccharine or overly prescriptive.” Publishers Weekly
Review
"Magical. Anna and the French Kiss really captures the feeling of being in love." - Cassandra Clare, author of The Mortal Instruments series
"From the magical streets of Paris to its charming narrator, Anna and the French Kiss has it all. A wonderfully winning book!" --Robin Benway, author of Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June
"No one captures the exhilarating and exhausting `but-does-he-like-me?!' question better than Stephanie Perkins. A scrumptious read." --Justina Chen, author of North of Beautiful
"Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." --Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Scarlett Fever
"Smart and sensual, Anna and the French Kiss is everything your heart is longing for. You'll want to live inside this story forever. More, s'il vous plat!" --Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Wake Trilogy
"Imagine a mug of rich, thick hot chocolate. Now add a swirl of sweet whipped cream. Yummy? Oui. Well, Anna and the French Kiss is richer, sweeter, and--yes--even hotter. You're in for a very special treat." --Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Peace, Love and Baby Ducks and Let It Snow
"Perkins's debut surpasses the usual chick-lit fare with smart dialogue, fresh characters and plenty of tingly interactions . . . Sarah Dessen fans will welcome another author who gracefully combines love and realism." --Kirkus, starred review
"This lively title incorporates plenty of issues that will resonate with teens, from mean girls to the quest for confidence and the complexities of relationships in all their forms." --Booklist
Review
"Vivid, warm, familiar and bittersweet, Five Summers is a welcome escape, full of moments that linger beyond the final pages." --Jodi Lynn Anderson
Review
Praise for Sarah Dessen: "Sarah Dessen is something of a rock star in young adult fiction. Her bestselling coming-of-age novels are warmly written explorations of teens in transition that are, by turns, questioning, humorous and hopeful." —Los Angeles Times
"Dessen is as skilled as ever at turning out steady, satisfying stories about teens that are easy to fall for." —Publishers Weekly, starred review for The Moon and More
"Readers can count of Dessen; she's a pro at creating characters caught at a nexus of change, who have broken relationships and who need to make decisions. . . Readers will enjoy every minute they spend with her." —Kirkus Reviews on What Happened to Goodbye
"Realistic teen dialogue, authentic girl friendships, and a complex underlying question: Can people really change?" —Kirkus Reviews on Along for the Ride
"Good story, real characters, happy ending. . . another must-read." —VOYA on Lock and Key
"The romance which forms the core of the story is everything a romance should be." —Horn Book on Just Listen
Review
Praise for HOW (NOT) TO FIND A BOYFRIEND
“Great characters and plenty of plot twists and turns add to the appeal of this lighthearted love story.” -Voice of Youth Advocates
“In Valentine's sassy debut, readers will groan as Nora messes everything up, and may grow frustrated with her choices (“For a smart girl you've had a pretty solid run of stupid”), but if they relate to her plight, they will find her funny, too.” -Booklist
“Valentine offers a book about honoring the truth, following one's bliss, and being oneself that avoids being saccharine or overly prescriptive.” -Publishers Weekly
Review
"My sisters novel is a love story to growing up, a love story to Rome, and—in the best and simplest way—a love story to family. I adored reading it."
—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love
"Fourteen-year-old Sarah discovers first love and family secrets in this sweet-as-a-cookie Dairy Queen companion for slightly younger readers."
—Kirkus
"A sweet story about family and love, which should appeal to tween readers of Wendy Mass."
—Booklist
"[A] funny and sweet coming-of-age story from the author of Dairy Queen. . . [Sarah's] narrative voice, a winning blend of humor, enthusiasm, and insecurity, will resonate strongly with tween girls, and the journal format will also appeal."
—School Library Journal
"Sarah's voice is tart and inquisitive, and her observations make the pilgrimage come alive."
—The Horn Book Magazine
"Sarah tells her story in the form of journal entries, and her voice is authentically tween as she tried to sort through the complicated turns her life is taking. . . . Give this to fans of Frances O'Roark Dowell and the younger siblings of those who enjoyed the Dairy Queen trilogy."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Synopsis
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?
Synopsis
A funny and smart romantic comedy about getting the guy. . . and finding yourself.
Sophomore Nora Fulbright is the most talented and popular new cheerleader on the Riverbend High cheer squad. Never mind that she used to be queen of the nerds—a chess prodigy who answered every question first, aced every test and repelled friends at every turn—because this year, Nora is determined to fully transition from social pupa to full blown butterfly, even if it means dumbing down her entire schedule. But when funny, sweet and very cute Adam moves to town and steals Nora’s heart with his untra-smarts and illegally cute dimple, Nora has a problem. How can she prove to him that she’s not a complete airhead? Nora devises a seemingly simple plan to barter her way into Adam’s classes that involves her classmates, friends—and her older brother Phil’s award-winning AP history paper. But soon, Nora can barely keep track of her trades, and struggles to stay in control of her image.
In the end, the only thing that can save Nora is a chess tournament—that she has to compete in wearing her cheerleading uniform. Can she prove to everyone that she can be both a butterfly and a nerd?
Allyson Valentine has created a story so full of enamoring characters, pitch-perfect humor, and delightfully frustrating romance that it will leave you cheering. Great for fans of Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss, Susanne Colosanti and Sarah Dessen.
Synopsis
Bittersweet, funny, and achingly honest,
Five Summers is a story of friendship, love, and growing up that is perfect for fans of Ann Brashare's
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Judy Blume's
Summer Sisters. Four best friends, five summers of camp memories
Emma, Skylar, Jo and Maddie have all come back to camp for a weekend of tipsy canoe trips to the island, midnight skinny dipping in the lake, and an epic game of capture the flag--boys versus girls. But the weekend isn't quite as sunwashed as they'd imagined as the memories come flooding back...
The summer we were nine: Emma was branded Skylars friend Emma” by the infamous Adam Loring . . . The summer we were ten: Maddie realized she was too far into her lies to think about telling the truth . . . The summer we were eleven: Johanna totally freaked out during her first game of Spin the Bottle . . . The summer we were twelve: Skylars love letters from her boyfriend back home were exciting to all of usexcept Skylar . . . Our last summer together: Emma and Adam almost kissed. Jo found out Maddies secret. Skylar did something unthinkable...and whether we knew it then or not, five summers of friendship began to fall apart. A young adult book with a friendship story that will last long after the last s'more is gone.
Synopsis
A funny and smart romantic comedy about getting the guy. . . and finding yourself.
Sophomore Nora Fulbright is the most talented and popular new cheerleader on the Riverbend High cheer squad. Never mind that she used to be queen of the nerds—a chess prodigy who answered every question first, aced every test and repelled friends at every turn—because this year, Nora is determined to fully transition from social pupa to full blown butterfly, even if it means dumbing down her entire schedule. But when funny, sweet and very cute Adam moves to town and steals Nora’s heart with his untra-smarts and illegally cute dimple, Nora has a problem. How can she prove to him that she’s not a complete airhead? Nora devises a seemingly simple plan to barter her way into Adam’s classes that involves her classmates, friends—and her older brother Phil’s award-winning AP history paper. But soon, Nora can barely keep track of her trades, and struggles to stay in control of her image.
In the end, the only thing that can save Nora is a chess tournament—that she has to compete in wearing her cheerleading uniform. Can she prove to everyone that she can be both a butterfly and a nerd?
Allyson Valentine has created a story so full of enamoring characters, pitch-perfect humor, and delightfully frustrating romance that it will leave you cheering. Great for fans of Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss, Susanne Colosanti and Sarah Dessen.
Synopsis
Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits?
"Magical. Anna and the French Kiss really captures the feeling of being in love." - Cassandra Clare, author of The Mortal Instruments series
Anna and the French Kiss charms [readers] with its Parisian setting and très bien boy.”
MTV.com
"Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." - Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author
"Tantalizing pacing, sparkling repartee, vibrant supporting characters . . ." - Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay
"Imagine a mug of rich, thick hot chocolate. Now add a swirl of sweet whipped cream. Yummy? Oui. Well, Anna and the French Kiss is richer, sweeter, and--yes--even hotter. You're in for a very special treat." --Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Peace, Love and Baby Ducks and Let It Snow
Synopsis
Bittersweet, funny, and achingly honest,
Five Summers is a story of friendship, love, and growing up that is perfect for fans of Anne Brashare's
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Judy Blume's
Summer Sisters. Four best friends, five summers of camp memories
Emma, Skylar, Jo and Maddie have all come back to camp for a weekend of tipsy canoe trips to the island, midnight skinny dipping in the lake, and an epic game of capture the flag--boys versus girls. But the weekend isn't quite as sunwashed as they'd imagined as the memories come flooding back...
The summer we were nine: Emma was branded Skylars friend Emma” by the infamous Adam Loring . . . The summer we were ten: Maddie realized she was too far into her lies to think about telling the truth . . . The summer we were eleven: Johanna totally freaked out during her first game of Spin the Bottle . . . The summer we were twelve: Skylars love letters from her boyfriend back home were exciting to all of usexcept Skylar . . . Our last summer together: Emma and Adam almost kissed. Jo found out Maddies secret. Skylar did something unthinkable...and whether we knew it then or not, five summers of friendship began to fall apart.
Synopsis
Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention andlatelyconcern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.
Synopsis
She can be anyone you want her to be. Vivian was raised with one purpose in life: to exact revenge on behalf of her mother. Manipulative and cruel, Mother has deprived Vivian not only of a childhood, but of an original identity. With an endless arsenal of enticing personalities at her disposal, Vivian is a veritable weapon of deception.
And she can destroy anyone.
When its time to strike, she enrolls in a boarding school on the English moors, where she will zero in on her target: sweet and innocent Ben, the son of the man who broke Mothers heart twenty years ago.
Anyone
except for the woman who created her.
With every secret she uncovers, Vivian comes one step closer to learning who she really is. But the more she learns about herself, the more dangerous this cat and mouse game becomes. Because Mother will stop at nothing to make sure the truth dies with her.
Synopsis
Family secrets, first love and the magic of Rome take center stage in Catherine Gilbert Murdock's new novel for middle grade readers.
Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Sarah Zorn intends to spend the Wisconsin summer with her “boyfriend” Curtis, waiting for a dead calf named Boris to decompose in time for the science fair. Her plans upend, however, when her fake-boyfriend strategy goes seriously awry just as her hippie Grandma Z invites her on a last-minute Roman holiday. As Sarah explores Italys ancient wonders, she cant stop “boy-liking” Curtis . . . or puzzling over her grandmothers odd behavior. Written as Sarahs journal, this satisfying middle grade novel navigates the murky waters of first love, friendship, and family with heart and good humor.
About the Author
Despite having an excellent tan, a perfect ponytail and an awesome Herkie jump, Allyson Valentine did not make the Central Junior High School cheerleading squad in her hometown of Cos Cob, Connecticut. She somehow survived this setback, going on to earn an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and write books. Allyson lives in Issaquah, Washington, where she is cheered on by her husband and two teenage boys. www.allysonvalentine.com