This Girl Isn't Shy, She's Spectacular

January 1, 2010
Gr 9-11-High school senior Samantha Owens needs to shake up her life. Devastated over her rejection from a UCLA writing program (Sam's writing lacks passion), she returns to New York City to upset the balance of her perfect existence. She gets help from Riley Swain, a former classmate from her old boarding school, introduced in "This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous" (Scholastic, 2008). Riley encourages Sam to stay out late, embark on disastrous blind dates, and flirt with D, Riley's best friend. Although Samantha and D clearly like each other, D is determined to straighten out his life, which means focusing on college applications and not on women. After some jealous bouts and soul searching, the two eventually get together. Readers will applaud Samantha's upbeat resolve in the face of rejection from both her dream school and dream boy. The blind dates by committee are funny, if ridiculous (Sam goes out with a guy who only speaks to her in Latin), and Beck's snappy dialogue will score big with reluctant readers. While this novel may be a fluffy, predictable read, it's not a boring one."Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ"

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