Prom, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Prom, by Laurie Halse Anderson

It's nice to occasionally read a YA book about "normal" teens experiencing "normal" teenage life. (Don't jump on me for using the word "normal". I am not saying that people dealing with loss, abuse, depression, drugs, alcohol, etc., are abnormal. You know exactly what I mean). Anyway.

(Just for the record, I am also NOT saying that YA lit is comprised solely of depressing "issue" books, as some people would have you believe. There's plenty of YA novels that don't fall into that category.  I just happen to have read a bunch of heavy ones lately). Anyway.   

It's nice to occasionally read a YA book about normal teens experiencing normal teenage life. I was just surprised that I found said teens in a Laurie Halse Anderson book. The main character referenced Speak right at the beginning of the book, and she sounded like a) she didn't identify with Melinda, and b) she didn't like the book. So. That was cool. Because I could totally see why some people wouldn't like the book. (Even though I thought it was great).

So. The math teacher steals the prom money and the kids have to put together a new prom with practically no money. Ashley is completely disinterested in the prom—not because she's boyfriendless and pining (that would be your regular angst-ridden YA book)—but because she just thinks it's dorky. But she jumps into the fray to help her best friend, who is very, very into the prom-thing. That's about it. FUN!