Geek Abroad

July 1, 2008
Gr 7-10-As this charming sequel to "Geek High" (NAL Jam, 2007) begins, mathematically gifted Miranda is sandwiched between a screaming baby and a farting businessman on a flight to London to visit her mother. The teen is still glowing from her first kiss from new boyfriend Dex, and she can't wait to hear from him by email, so she's terribly disappointed as the days pass with no word. Cute Brit Henry fills the void and she manages to enjoy her stay, but when she returns home to Florida things are just not right. One friend is fighting with another and her best buddy is so wrapped up with her boyfriend that she seems like a pod person. Her father is fighting with his selfish wife and the whole family forgets her 16th birthday. Miranda also discovers that her math-team final competition is scheduled for the same day as a prestigious writing contest. In realistic fashion, not everything goes Miranda's way, but by the end of the novel some issues are resolved happily while others are minor disasters, or still ongoing. But the best part of the book is Miranda herselfa fully realized character with flaws and assets. Teens will empathize with her problems, cheer her successes, and will look forward to the next book featuring this winning protagonist."Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.