The Dating Game

February 14, 2005
This debut book in the Dating Game series gets its title from an online site that a trio of best friends design for a 10th-grade project, trying to prove that "boys think about sex more than girls." As they prepare quizzes and play matchmaker for themselves and their peers, each of the three struggles with her own romantic dilemma. Madison wants more sexual experience, poetic Lina is in love with her teacher, and curvy Holly has a wild reputation. Even though the girls eventually admit "our scientific technique is not exactly airtight here," it's hard to understand how some of the materials relate to their project. Yet the girls' struggles come across as authentic, and the writing can be both funny and honest (especially Holly's painful experience with "the double standard, how it was good for boys to have a wild rep and bad for girls"). Silly quizzes and online chats pepper the narrative, and each chapter begins with a telling horoscope for one of the protagonists. Readers will not be too surprised by the girls' findings, but they may be disappointed that not all of the plot points resolve (perhaps Breaking Up Is Really, Really Hard to Do
, due out in June, will supply the answers); the still-open story line about Lina's growing obsession with her young teacher is especially disturbing. Overall, readers will probably find enough to laugh about and relate to as the trio plans—and plays—The Dating Game. Ages 14-up.

August 1, 2005
Gr 8 Up -Buddies Madison, Holly, and Lina all become the talk of their high school when they start their own Web site, giving advice and setting up those in need with dates. Holly is dealing with her overdeveloped body and the rumors it has caused while Lina is trying to get her barely-out-of-college teacher to treat her as something more than a student. Madison is trying her hardest to act more grown up and get the cutest boy in school to notice her no matter what it takes. The teens eventually come to the conclusion that the guys they were originally interested in are not necessarily right for them. The story ends with unanswered questions about Holly and her new -gentleman-like - boyfriend and their fate, as well as the other girls and their newfound identities, leaving room for the next volume in the series. This book reads much like the multitude of YA books with female protagonists who are searching for identity, defying authority, and looking for love in sometimes the wrong place or people. Easy reading for fans of Francine Pascal's -Sweet Valley High - (Random)." -Nicole Marcuccilli Mills, Glenview Public Library, IL"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2005
Gr. 9-12. Sophomores Mads, Holly, and Lina are famous at their alternative high school for the Dating Game Web site, which they created for their Interpersonal Human Dynamics class. Students are flocking to the site to take the sex quiz and find the perfect date, and, of course, the site also helps the girls with their own love problems. Each chapter includes a daily astrology report for the character in focus, and the action is advanced through e-mails as well as straight narrative. The teen concerns in the book are authentic (physical development, nicknames that hurt, crushes on teachers), but their treatment and resolution are uneven--and sometimes unrealistic. Girls waiting for a new " A List" or " Gossip Girl" , however, will be well pleased" . (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)