From the Bookshelf of Whatcha' Reading Now?…

[close] List-making Emily Bennett wishes she could rock South Florida the way Hurricane Emily did two years prior. The storm is set in motion when ex-best friends Brandy and Randy start an I Hate Emily Club, the summer after eighth grade. As Emily trudges forward over the warm, tropical waters of freshman and sophomore year, the winds pick up as she decides she wants to be more than just a feature writer for the school paper. She has her eye set on the position of editor-in-chief. Emily jumps from a Category Two directly to a Category Four Hurricane when she is swept away by hottie boy next door, Brian. A dream come true for sure, until her newspaper story on alternative proms--that is sure to land her the editor in chief position for senior year--coincides with the school's junior prom where she is supposed to be Brian's date. Surely he'll give up the Hummer limo, fancy tuxedo and all that hoopla to go to the alternative prom, so long as he can be with her, right? Just as the hurricane hits land, Emily discovers her inner prom queen when she realizes that taking the world by storm has more to do with doing good than being liked. Dorian Cirrone's writing is fast-paced and will make you laugh out loud, all the while rooting for Emily to find her crown. This is a must-read book for all middle school girls!
--Reviewed By Kerry O'Malley Cerra