June 1, 2014
Gr 7 Up-The drama of high school dances and teen friendships take center stage in this second series installment. Abby, Bryn, Cassidy, Devon, and Emma are the founding members of the Dating Game club and have decided to set each other up on blind dates for their school's masquerade dance. Some of the girls have very high expectations for what their surprise dates should be like-and what they should definitely not be like. Will the girls still have fun if the boys involved aren't exactly their dream dates? An inspirational fiction title for teens, this series entry isn't entirely squeaky clean and issue free. While the central plot is tame, the story also covers teen drinking, divorce and parental dating, frenemies, and a brief "did she or didn't she" implied hook up. Although the girls attend a Christian high school, the religious aspects of the narrative are not naturally integrated and feel somewhat forced. With the exception of Devon, the "bad girl" of the group, the characters blend together. Overall, the lack of suspense and indistinguishable protagonists make this a rather forgettable read. Purchase where the author is popular or there is a high demand for Christian fiction.-Heather Webb, Worthington Libraries, OH
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