REVIEW: The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High by Laurie Boyle Crompton
The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High
by Laurie Boyle Crompton
YA Contemporary
Book Description
Shannon’s ‘clique’ is just her and her best friend and she has a super-embarrassing nickname that won’t go away. It is no huge shock when her classmates vote her least likely to be crowned Prom Queen. What is shocking is the new hidden camera reality show she finds herself starring in, titled The Prom Queen Wannabes! Shannon and two other Wannabes must battle to be elected Prom Queen and snag the One! Million! Dollar! prize. After a summer of makeovers and training at Prom Queen Camp, the hidden cameras watch the three of them enter their senior year equipped with secret skills to help wage war on the popular set. Things at Westfield High are about to get ugly, and Shannon must decide how much she’s willing to give up for a shot at winning that tiara.
MY THOUGHTS: 3.75 OUT OF 5 FLEURS DE LIS
The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High by Laurie Boyle Crompton
I haven’t read very many books set in a reality TV world–only You Look Different in Real Life comes to mind, so the premise of Prom Queens was definitely what pulled me in. In this day and age, what high schooler, or any person really, doesn’t dream of having the chance to be on TV and possibly become a millionaire? Shannon isn’t excited at first, but once she gets into it the game she tells herself she’s playing becomes more and more real. But she’ll quickly learn that reality TV is actually the farthest thing from its’ namesake.
Shannon was a weirdly likable character. She has a weird, unexplainable hobby; she only has one friend; and though it’s only her hard-working mom raising her and her sister, she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I also liked that she wasn’t like a lot of other whiny YA main characters who are the only ones in their world who doesn’t notice when a boy likes them. But what girl wouldn’t want the makeover of a lifetime and the chance to be prom queen?
Although Shannon goes along with everything that’s happening to her at first, once she sees the deception and losses that are piling up, she starts having second thoughts. And that’s when the book really gets good.
The final chapters at the prom were hilarious and outlandish. I loved the final stand the girls made and how everything ended up for all the characters after the show was said and done.
There are plenty of funny moments in the book, and I think contemporary YA readers will love it.
About the Author
Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) and THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH (Sourcebooks, 2013 & 2014) as well as the upcoming ADRENALINE CRUSH from Farrar Straus Giroux. Laurie graduated first in her class from St. John’s University with a major in English and minor in Journalism. She’s written for national magazines like ALLURE as well as numerous trade publications and has appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. Yes, that is an actual thing that people sometimes get to be.
When she’s not writing Laurie enjoys hiking, cycling, reading, cross-country skiing, running, going to the movies and drinking tea by the gallon. She lives near NYC, but loves to escape to the mountains in New Paltz, NY where she and her family can often be found climbing over rocks or tromping through the forest.
PURCHASE:
Posted on February 17, 2014, in book tour, books, reading, review. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
Sweet Southern Home 
This sounds cute and funny. I am glad the main character is so easy to relate to and that there are a lot of laughs throughout the book. Thanks for sharing. 🙂