21 Proms

From SLJ May 2007
This article originally appeared in SLJ’s Extra Helping. Sign up now!

Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library -- School Library Journal, 5/16/2007

LEVITHAN, David & Daniel Ehrenhaft, eds. 21 Proms. 289p. Scholastic/Point. 2007. pap. $8.99. ISBN 978-0-439-89029-8. LC number unavailable.

Gr 9 Up–In a collaboration that brings together an impressive array of 21 authors, Levithan and Ehrenhaft have produced a collection worthy of exploration. Ranging from sad to funny to truly disastrous, these memorable stories mark that oh-so-important right of passage for many teenagers. Starting with dress-hating, heel-hating, bra-hating Emilie in Elizabeth Craft's "You Are a Prom Queen, Dance Dance Dance"; moving on to Daniel Ehrenhaft's "Better Be Good to Me," in which aging Zack remembers his prom and being in love with his best friend's girlfriend; and ending with rebel chicks Maggie and Carly, who throw the ultimate anti-prom party in John Green's "The Great American Morp," readers are drawn into a wide cross section of prom nights from both male and female perspectives. A celebration of all that is good, bad, and sometimes unforgettable about these events, this fast-paced but carefully strung anthology speaks of pink dresses, tuxedos, first kisses, unrequited love, and the thrill of taking love to its ultimate climax. Clever writing featuring many unexpected twists and turns, as well as a stunning display of each writer's razor-sharp wit, makes this an enjoyable read. Older teens will flock to this book, which undoubtedly features some of the best teen fiction writers of our era.