Bibliography: McDonald, Abby. (2011). The Anti-Prom. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 978-0763649562
Plot Summary: Prom is supposed to be the best night of your life, right? Not for popular Bliss who catches her BFF and boyfriend making out. Not for bad girl Jolene who can’t believe that she is dressed in pink ruffles risking her rep for a guy who is late. Not for Meg who just wanted a night to be a normal teen but whose date stood her up. Each existing in her own circle of high school, they find each other on this less than magical night and decide to get revenge–throw in a few frat parties, karaoke, breaking and entering, a trip to the emergency room, a makeover and a stop at Dairy Queen. Three girls who couldn’t be more different realize they might have something in common after all.
Critical Analysis: This novel reads like the best teen prom movie that you’ve never seen. Hear that, Hollywood? Someone should buy the rights ASAP. Frothy and fun and full of girl power, McDonald hits all the right notes. Her characters maybe a little true to type, but in this case, it works perfectly with the madcap plot of revenge they concoct and carry out together. Each learns something about herself and the others over the course of the night. And if the ending is a little too good to be true, what’s the harm in providing hope that three very different girls from different worlds might come to be friends through sharing an intense series of adventures? Light and frothy fun, perfect for prom season and teen girls dreaming about prom and prom haters alike. I love McDonald, her three young adult novels each little different but wonderful in their own right. Please write faster!
Extras: In collecting stories about the American prom experience (being from Britain, McDonald didn’t have the American prom night), McDonald was surprised to hear from many teens that they felt pressure and stress surrounding the event. So she set up PROMyourway.com “to encourage a ‘prom-positive’ message, and help teens make prom an experience that matters to THEM. You don’t need to buy into the stereotypical image to have a good time - prom can be whatever you want it to be : a way to give back to your community; a force for social change, and – yes – an amazing party where everyone’s invited!”
Check out Aimee Ferris’ site for her book, WillWorkForPromDress.com to see pictures of young adult authors in their prom best.
Review Excerpts: ”…[T]he novel is lightly wicked fun in formal wear, filled with bickering, breaking and entering, and quick getaways. The girls basically play to type, but grow enough to make their journey an amusing diversion.”–Publisher’s Weekly
Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy. Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
