Shipped

April 1, 2021
Stella Greene needs to be valedictorian. She's been working toward it for what seems like forever. The scholarship money that comes along with the title would allow her to be the first person in her family ever to attend college. Stella would have it in the bag already if it weren't for Wesley Clarke, her rich, insufferable classmate who, despite being terrible in AP Biology, seems to be neck and neck with her the whole way. When Stella isn't color-coding her to-do list, engaging in (many) extracurricular activities, or working at an ice cream parlor, she finds solace in rewatching her favorite TV show, Warship Seven, which was canceled after one season, and writing fan fiction. When user CERanger11 sends her a direct message on the Warship Seven forum, Stella, who has encountered her share of sexist jerks in the fandom, hesitates but decides to give him the benefit of the doubt. Wesley Clarke is also a Warshipper. And when he DMs CaptainJillsBFF22, he has no idea that she's his real-life rival, Stella. Through their online conversations, with their true identities safely hidden, the two open up about personal challenges--Stella's family's grinding poverty and the toxic environment in Wesley's home. Full of pranks, intrigue, angst, and romance, this is a quick and delightful read that will have nerds across all fandoms turning pages--and shipping Wesley/Stella from the start. Main characters are White. A delicious and nerdy romance. (Romance. 13-18)

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May 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-For four years, white high school seniors Wesley and Stella battled for the spot of valedictorian and the time to announce the winner is near. They couldn't be more opposite, or so they think. Both are superfans of a sci-fi show called Warship Seven and find each other anonymously on the Warship fandom website. Their friendship grows online and they decide to meet at SciCon in real life. How will the fierce rivals react once they realize the truth? High schoolers will fall in love with Wesley and Stella, as their obvious hatred for one another is deeply rooted in romance. Social issues such as feminism and gender conformity are presented in small conversations, and these topics are tactfully explored. Stella comes from a poor background, while Wesley grew up in a rich household, and they both find, through their own struggles, that they have more in common than they ever realized. The tension of Wesley and Stella's building romance is evident, yet readers might find the payoff a disappointment. VERDICT A high school romance that will capture readers' hearts but leave them hanging at the end.-Paige Kostelyk, Crown Point Christian Sch., St. John, IN

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