Starred Review Attending public school for the first time as a sophomore is challenging for Mary, whose extensive independent study of nineteenth-century novels hasn't adequately prepared her to handle it when her best friend jilts her in the cafeteria on their first day at Millville High. Fortunately, Mary soon befriends Arden, Lydia, and Terry, who value her literature-inspired insights as applied to the local dating scene. For instance, she recommends shunning handsome, flirtatious fellows such as Alex, an attractive junior who seems interested in Terry. Unfortunately, when Mary later finds herself falling for Alex, a crisis leaves her feeling stunned, guilty, rejected, and completely miserable. Still, when she ponders, "What would Jane Austen do?" the answer is obvious. The book's entertaining appendix, entitled "The Scoundrel Survival Guide . . . Works Cited" offers pithy descriptions of many period novels that Mary mentions within the narrative. In this refreshing first novel, Sellet manages the large cast of characters well, while portraying the protagonist's big family, her small circle of friends, and her first romance with considerable wit and insight. As Mary struggles with the practical and emotional troubles arising from her many mistakes, her rueful, self-deprecating narrative is sometimes impossible to read without laughing out loud. A smart, engaging romance.

Bookish 15-year-old Mary Porter-Malcolm comes into her own in this lighthearted tale.Both her parents are professors, so it's no surprise that Mary spends most of her time immersed in 19th-century literature. After her small alternative school closes, Mary's forced to transfer to public school at the beginning of her sophomore year-where she is left all alone after her old friend Anjuli promptly ditches her. Overhearing three popular girls' conversation about Alex Ritter, a handsome senior boy she's familiar with from a theater production, Mary warns them of his dangerous charms. They welcome her advice and in exchange offer to help her embark upon a genuine high school experience (or, as Mary thinks of it, her debutante season). They try to set her up with various guys, all clearly wrong for her; meanwhile, Alex keeps popping up to banter with her. Mary's diary entries pepper the narrative and provide some tongue-in-cheek humor. Debut author Sellet delightfully portrays Mary's large, chaotic family-her twin sisters' Shakespeare troupe; her stoic, athletic sister; and her annoying younger brother. Occasionally clunky writing and Mary's habit of constantly cramming in references to classic literature-from Wuthering Heights to Anna Karenina-may alienate contemporary bookworms. Mary and Alex are white, and there is some diversity in the supporting cast.A sweet story with a focus on family and friendships. (Romance. 12-18)

Gr 9 Up-Moving to a public high school from a small charter program for her sophomore year has complicated Mary Porter-Malcolm's life in countless ways. On the first day, Mary's best friend abandons her, a boy who knows her acts like she's a stranger, and she is sure that she will spend the year in social exile. However, she is immediately embraced by a smart and supportive group of girls who find her love of classic literature to be wise and endearing. Based on the literary lessons provided by Mary's extensive reading, the girls embark on a plan of self-improvement which includes avoiding boys on their list in the "Scoundrel Survival Guide." The prime member of that group, Alex, continues to pop up in Mary's daily sphere. She is certain he is trying to woo her more beautiful friend, Terry. But his taboo status is jeopardized when his true intentions are revealed. The main and secondary characters are authentic, witty, and compelling. The plot moves along at a readable pace, though readers may become doubtful of Mary's prolonged naivety regarding the nature of her friendships. Readers without a love or familiarity with classic literature may find the numerous literary references heavy-handed at times, but those with even minimal curiosity will revel in the clever insight. VERDICT A worthy addition to most romance shelves. Put in the hands of readers who love a smart and precocious cast of characters, reminiscent of Amy Heckerling's film Clueless . Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD