Mia the Magnificent

July 1, 2010
Gr 5–9—-ia is starting her sophomore year free and clear. She is newly confident from working at a summer camp for actors and is rid of her cheating ex-boyfriend, Tim. Ready to stand on her own and take chances, she's taking drivers ed and lets her friend talk her into auditioning for the school play. Things seem to be going well, until Tim, who is dating two girls at school, tries to get her back; her drivers ed instructor quits, to be replaced by the crazy school janitor; and the lead in the play gets mono and a reluctant Mia has to perform in her place. Adding to the teen's misery, her mom finishes the book she's been working on, a fictional tale that's based on Mia's life. While Boggess's book features teenage characters, the characters act like children in elementary school, and clichés, silly euphemisms, and bad puns abound. While the book can stand on its own, it should only be purchased where there are fans of the series.—"Melyssa Malinowski, Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD"

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