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
"[A] realistic portrayal of everyday freshman anxieties, romance, and the sometimes +toolish+ culture of male high-school athletes." -
BooklistReview
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
Synopsis
Looking for a new beginning after a terrible mean girl past, Charlie Healey realizes there’s no escaping high school drama.
Charlie Healey thinks Harmony Falls is the beginning of a whole new life. Middle school was brutal. But high school is Charlie’s big chance to start over and stay out of drama, except that on her first day she runs into Will, her ex–best friend, who had moved away. Now a varsity athlete and hotter than Charlie remembered, Will hangs with the crowd running the school. But Charlie doesn’t understand their power until an innocent delivery guy falls victim to a near-deadly hazing prank.
Torn between doing what’s right and her secret feelings for Will, Charlie must decide whether to turn in her very best friend or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.
Rosalind Wiseman’s first novel for young adults is a fresh, funny, and juicy read about friendship, betrayal, and how far some will go to be accepted.
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Synopsis
A debut novel from the bestselling author of
Queen Bees and Wannabes! Charlie Healy just wants a drama-free year, but it doesn't seem like she's going to get it. After surviving a middle school packed with mean girls, Charlie is ready to leave all that behind in high school. But then, on her very first day, she runs into her former best friend, Will, who moved away years ago. Now he's back, he's HOT, and he's popular. And he takes Charlie back into the danger zone of the popular crowd. But when a hazing prank goes wrong, Charlie has to decide where her loyalties lie.
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
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.
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