The Anti-Prom Winner

Congratulations goes to....

Michelle @ The Book Heist

You have won an ARC of The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald. An email has been sent to you each of you. You have 72 hours to contact me, or I will pick a new winner.

The Anti-Prom - Interview with Abby McDonald (& Giveaway)

You were a music and entertainment journalist, what band would you have loved to play at your prom?
I grew up in England, where sadly, proms had yet to catch on by the time I reached the end of high-school. But in the dream prom in my mind, I think Jimmy Eat World would have been a great pick: they were my favorite band when I was 17, and I've seen them live, and they always put on a great show.

You write both YA and adult fiction, have any trouble keeping some of the "adult" out of the YA?

Not so much - I have more problems putting the 'adult' into the adult books! (Seriously, try writing racy material when you know your aunts will read every word...).

I write in first person, so the tone is easy to keep pretty breezy and clean. I know some YAs deal with more sexual issues (and do it really well), but personally, I was only interested in hot make-out action when I was 16, 17, so my lead characters tend to reflect that. That's not to say that stuff doesn't happen in the book worlds - I always try to make my books realistic, and sex is a realistic part of some teen's lives - but it tends to be with a supporting character, say, or subplot, rather than the focus of my character's journey.

Bliss, Jolene, and Meg are all very different characters. Who do you identify with most?
I love all three characters, because I've taken a part of myself to make each one real. Emotional authenticity is really important to me, I think it's the only way to truly connect with the reader, so I never write a character than isn't at least partially based on things I've felt, or experienced in my own life.

With the girls in The Anti-Prom, I identify with Bliss's sense of social insecurity - always painfully aware of the hierarchies and machinations that go into any teen clique; Jolene is the character I love most, for her unapologetic anger and determination; and then there's Meg, and her crushing loneliness... To be honest, Meg was the hardest to write because of that; I had a rough time in high school, feeling pretty isolated and alone, so going through that again with Meg was a challenge. But the wonderful thing about writing, is that I got to give her a way out, and see her character embrace new friendships and experiences.

Jolene's true self is hidden behind her tough attitude. Where did you find inspiration for her character?
I knew from the moment I picked her name who Jolene would be - the girl from the wrong side of the tracks; the bad-ass everyone wishes they could be at some point: a real take-no-prisoners kind of girl. And a big country music fan! But buried behind that toughness is such heartbreaking vulnerability. She's still carrying the weight of her father's abandonment, and has to make some tough choices about whether she's going to let her past define her, or take on the world on her own terms. Jolene has good reasons for acting the way she does, but at some point, she has to stop letting those reasons determine her future, and this one prom night is her last chance to make the call - before it's too late.

If you had to pick one of three prom dresses on the cover to wear to an author signing, which would you pick?
Oh wow, that's a fun question! Meg's black gown is classy, sure, and Bliss's white thing is cute, but I'd have to say Jolene's pink ruffled monstrosity, just for the fun of it! 

Thank you, Abby! 

To learn about Abby's PROMyourway, go HERE

To learn more about Abby and her writing, visit her HERE

One lucky winner will win my review copy! Thank you Candlewick!

Contest rules:

US only
Must be 13+

Must be a follower
Contest ends at midnight CST, Wednesday, March 23rd
Winner will be chosen using Random.org
Must fill out the form below to be officially entered

Good luck!

*Giveaway closed*

Review - The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

April 12th, 2011 by Candlewick Press

From the Publisher:

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald. 

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

Review:
Bliss, Jolene, and Meg aren't exactly BFFs. In fact, they don't know anything about each other at all. Well, maybe a few things, but those are mostly rumors. It's prom night and for Bliss, the social event of the year! Everything is going according to plan until Bliss stumbles upon her boyfriend making out with her so-called best friend Kaitlin in the back of a limo. Making out is putting it mildly. The two are going at it like it's the end of the world! Bliss is devasted, but quickly seeks revenge. Insert Jolene the rebel, the bad girl, the...outcast. Jolene is only at the prom in order to make fun of the spectacle, but deep down, she is disappointed her "date" didn't show. As Jolene is sulking in the storage closet, Bliss stumbles in with sly smile and even more sly plan. Because Jolene doesn't have any others plans and is always up for an adventure, she agrees to help Bliss get her revenge on her boyfriend and Kaitlin. Insert Meg. Well, more like insert Meg's car. As Bliss and Jolene race to the parking lot and head to Kaitlin's house to steal her journal, they almost get run over by Meg. Meg has had a disappointing night as well. Her date canceled at the last second and she is humiliated. It doesn't take long for Jolene and Bliss to coax Meg into joining their mission of revenge. Meg is the wallflower of school. Very forgettable, if you remembered her at all. Meg is looking to finish school and move on with her life - if she can find it. Things are going according to Bliss's plan - they have Kaitlin's journal with her darkest secrets; secrets that would destroy her socially. As they make their way all over town trying to bring down Bliss's boyfriend and friend with the help of the journal, Jolene opens up about her non existent relationship with her disappearing father, and Meg realizes that being the quiet one was her choice. Bliss? Bliss thinks maybe revenge wasn't what she needed after all. Maybe Bliss needs a new set of friends.

Anti-Prom is a fun and fast read. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. The characters are developed and vary widely. I was looking for the cliche popular girl junk, but there was something more waiting. Bliss has a giving heart, she just hasn't an opportunity to be...nice. Jolene is rough and crass. I really enjoyed her story and the way she blossomed through out the story. Meg was a little quiet for me. I think of the Family Guy character when I say her name. Meg is the forgettable one in the story and for me. I would have liked to see a tad more from her and her story. I think Jolene's willingness to help Bliss was a little rushed. Bliss and Jolene are on polar opposite sides of the social spectrum. It seemed a little too easy when Jolene agreed to Bliss's plan. Things get wrapped up in a neat and tidy bow at the end, but not without a lot of self discovery!

3.75 Stars

Here are some quick thoughts from other readers on The Anti-Prom  Banned Book Tour. I encourage you to follow the links and read/comment on their thoughtful reviews. 


"Throughout the little adventure she [Bliss] goes on with the other two girls, she learns something…learns something good." ~Ivy Reads

"Lasting impressions: Like The Breakfast Club and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants had a baby. So much fun!" ~Logan E. Turner

Thank you Candlewick Press for providing the tour book.