"Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

 

💬: The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant get on a plane thinking that this trip was going to be one of the best of their lives. This beach trip would be perfect. They could tan, swim, party, and get all dolled up for the pageant. For most of the girls, this is the dream. Unfortunately, the plane they were on had a different plan in mind. Instead of landing on a beautiful beach getaway, they would crash onto a deserted island filled with monstrous animals and few necessities- not even lipstick! So what's a beauty queen to do? Should they listen to Taylor, Miss Texas, and practice for the big show she swears they're going to have? Or should they listen to Adina, Miss New Hampshire, and learn how to survive in this 'totally bogus' wilderness? Decisions, decisions. 

And hey! What's up with these sexy pirates? 

❤: What I loved most about this book was definitely the characters. Each character, though similar in their need to get off the island, is thoroughly unique and beautifully hilarious. They are incredibly diverse and not one girl is similar to another. Though you make think these characters are entirely fantastical, you might find yourself relating to them. I specifically relate to Petra, Jennifer, and Adina who are all on a journey of self-discovery. All of the girls have their own stories and Bray specifically tells the reader who each chapter is about (it changes almost every chapter). The comedy in this book is unlike any other book I've ever read. The jokes are thought out and intellectual, while also being offbeat and (sometimes) dark. Overall, I highly recommend this book to teens who want a hilarious read while also getting an emotional adventure.  

War and Speech....Mean Girls meets the debate team!

War and Speech by acclaimed children's playwright Don Zolidis follows protagonist Sydney Williams, a shy, anti-social, teenager who has lived her entire life by the phrase that "not everyone can be a winner." Sydney especially resonates with this saying when her white collared dad gets sent to prison for embezzlement, and she is forced to move with her minimum wage working mother into a small, crummy apartment. Faced with a new school, Eaganville High promises Sydney a new start. Except, unlike most schools, Eaganville is ruled by the school's debate team, whom of which take the quote "winner takes all"quite too seriously. Sydney is soon befriended by a group of fellow misfits, each of whom has been personally victimized by the speech team. It turns out Sydney is the perfect plant to take down the speech team from within.

With the help of her co-conspirators, Sydney throws herself into making Nationals in speech, where she will be poised to topple the corrupt regime. But what happens when Sydney realizes she actually has a shot at . . .winning? Sydney lost everything because of her dad's obsession with being on top. Winning at speech might just be her ticket out of a life of loserdom. Can she really walk away from that?

A book equal parts hilarious as it is heartwarming, War and Speech can probably convince just about anybody to join their school's debate team. A light, fun, entertaining read, Don Zolidis once again shows off his comedic chops while creating a riveting journey with a protagonist you can't help but fall in love with.

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Teen Pick: Schitt's Creek

A rich family has to move into a small trashy town after they lose everything. This show is very funny and addictive. It has 6 seasons so can last a little bit.