Prom
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Age Range
14+
ISBN
0670059749
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Pastries, dresses, limos, rat costumes, friendship & more!
Overall rating
4.0
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Ashley isn’t exactly the richest kid on the block. With many siblings and two hard working parents, her house can get pretty crowded. Even with their small house and many kids, Ashley’s parents have another kid that will soon enter the world. Her job at EZ-CHEEZE-E in a rat costume serving pizza to whining kids isn’t a dream come true. But Ashley won’t be in her crowded little home for long—she plans to move in with her boy friend, TJ, to their new apartment. At least she has her friend Natalia (a.k.a. Nat) for a next door neighbor, but along with Nat is her slightly crazy grandmother that can only speak Russian and is obsessed with bathing, swimming, and anything else that has to do with water! Despite her not-picture-perfect life, Ashley is happy in her own way—she’s independent, confident, spunky and smart.
However, when Ashley’s math teacher steals the prom money, the senior class is in crisis—especially Ashley’s friends who all but live for the prom. To Ashley, it’s not a big deal; she wasn’t planning to go to the prom anyway. But when her friend Natalia (also her next-door neighbor) works for hours to try to pull together resources—hotels, food, etc—to rescue and bring back prom to no avail, Ashley gets dragged into the situation. She sees how some of her friends were really looking forward to prom—and sees how some of them truly deserve it, after what they’ve gone through. Ashley offers some unusual but not useable ideas for prom. Nat and some of Ashley’s other friends support her idea, but will the principle and Mr. Gilroy, the strict vice principle go for it? With Ashley’s bad resume filled with detention and bad attitude, Mr. Gilroy is out to stop Ashley’s scheme. With only days to go, how will Ashley and the prom committee go from almost nothing to a successful prom?
Once Ashley’s parents and aunts find out that Ashley has pretty much taken charge of bringing prom back to life, they rush to gather resources—dresses, shoes, purses, and more!—so Ashley can go to the prom. But dresses and make up isn’t Ashley’s top priority; she must find food, napkins, decorations, and persuade the staff to help them. But Nat’s grandmother comes to the rescue with her amazing pastries that are now used to bribe the staff. What other magical talents does this eccentric old lady have?
Besides prom troubles, Ashley and TJ haven’t been going down a smooth road in their relationship either. With disputes and harsh words between them, all is not well. But TJ wants to make it up to her—but will Ashley see through him? Things don’t get any better when TJ shows Ashley their new apartment—some of it is used for storage of the owner’s stuff, and it isn’t exactly her dream apartment. It’s small and rather gross. Will she move in with TJ and stick with him? Or will Ashley finally listen to what her friends are telling her about her boyfriend and see that he really is a low-life kid?
Will Ashley and Co. be able to pull together a prom worth going to? Will Ashley go to the prom? And even if they do—will anyone come to the prom? A prom in the gym is not the same as a hotel ball room. But Ashley still has a few tricks up her sleeve to make this prom a success!
Prom is a coming-of-age story with some funny bits about a spunky girl that’s out to prove herself and help her friends! Although there are a few implications of some mature themes, Prom is a lighter novel than Speak (also by Laurie Halse Anderson) and will be enjoyed by teenage readers!
However, when Ashley’s math teacher steals the prom money, the senior class is in crisis—especially Ashley’s friends who all but live for the prom. To Ashley, it’s not a big deal; she wasn’t planning to go to the prom anyway. But when her friend Natalia (also her next-door neighbor) works for hours to try to pull together resources—hotels, food, etc—to rescue and bring back prom to no avail, Ashley gets dragged into the situation. She sees how some of her friends were really looking forward to prom—and sees how some of them truly deserve it, after what they’ve gone through. Ashley offers some unusual but not useable ideas for prom. Nat and some of Ashley’s other friends support her idea, but will the principle and Mr. Gilroy, the strict vice principle go for it? With Ashley’s bad resume filled with detention and bad attitude, Mr. Gilroy is out to stop Ashley’s scheme. With only days to go, how will Ashley and the prom committee go from almost nothing to a successful prom?
Once Ashley’s parents and aunts find out that Ashley has pretty much taken charge of bringing prom back to life, they rush to gather resources—dresses, shoes, purses, and more!—so Ashley can go to the prom. But dresses and make up isn’t Ashley’s top priority; she must find food, napkins, decorations, and persuade the staff to help them. But Nat’s grandmother comes to the rescue with her amazing pastries that are now used to bribe the staff. What other magical talents does this eccentric old lady have?
Besides prom troubles, Ashley and TJ haven’t been going down a smooth road in their relationship either. With disputes and harsh words between them, all is not well. But TJ wants to make it up to her—but will Ashley see through him? Things don’t get any better when TJ shows Ashley their new apartment—some of it is used for storage of the owner’s stuff, and it isn’t exactly her dream apartment. It’s small and rather gross. Will she move in with TJ and stick with him? Or will Ashley finally listen to what her friends are telling her about her boyfriend and see that he really is a low-life kid?
Will Ashley and Co. be able to pull together a prom worth going to? Will Ashley go to the prom? And even if they do—will anyone come to the prom? A prom in the gym is not the same as a hotel ball room. But Ashley still has a few tricks up her sleeve to make this prom a success!
Prom is a coming-of-age story with some funny bits about a spunky girl that’s out to prove herself and help her friends! Although there are a few implications of some mature themes, Prom is a lighter novel than Speak (also by Laurie Halse Anderson) and will be enjoyed by teenage readers!
G
Guest
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11 reviews
Overall rating
3.6
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3.6(11)
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Even small towns can make a big difference
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Caity
I liked this book because it showed me that theres more to people then just who they are on the outside. Prom is about a small town girl who is a senior in high school, who doesn't plan on going to college or prom. She has lived next door to her best friend since 2nd grade but never had to do anything to prove they were best friends until her bff becomes president of the prom committee and needs her help to save prom.
I liked this book because it showed me that theres more to people then just who they are on the outside. Prom is about a small town girl who is a senior in high school, who doesn't plan on going to college or prom. She has lived next door to her best friend since 2nd grade but never had to do anything to prove they were best friends until her bff becomes president of the prom committee and needs her help to save prom.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Prom -Laurie Halse Anderson
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Colleen Driscoll
A great book that I recently read was Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson. Laurie Halse Anderson is a gifted author who goes into great detail with her stories. Another book that she wrote was Speak, which was also an amazing book. Her story, Prom, is about a senior girl named Ashley Hannigan. Ashleys home life is okay but far from easy. She has two little brothers, a father, and a mother whjo always seems to be pregnant. Ashley was not looking forward to the Prom. She has a hard enough time just trying to graduate from Carceras High school. Ashley has a best friend named Natalia who is the complete opposite of her. Natalia is the head of the Prom Committee and completely obsessed with the occasion. The whole event goes wrong when their math teacher steals all of the prom money and their forced to start all the planning over. Natalia needs extra help because of the dilemma and drags Ashley to all of the meetings. Ironically enough, this helps Ashley get back on the right track towards being successful. The whole book leads up to this one eventful night. This was a refreshing book with a good plot line, that didnt lose my interest.
A great book that I recently read was Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson. Laurie Halse Anderson is a gifted author who goes into great detail with her stories. Another book that she wrote was Speak, which was also an amazing book. Her story, Prom, is about a senior girl named Ashley Hannigan. Ashleys home life is okay but far from easy. She has two little brothers, a father, and a mother whjo always seems to be pregnant. Ashley was not looking forward to the Prom. She has a hard enough time just trying to graduate from Carceras High school. Ashley has a best friend named Natalia who is the complete opposite of her. Natalia is the head of the Prom Committee and completely obsessed with the occasion. The whole event goes wrong when their math teacher steals all of the prom money and their forced to start all the planning over. Natalia needs extra help because of the dilemma and drags Ashley to all of the meetings. Ironically enough, this helps Ashley get back on the right track towards being successful. The whole book leads up to this one eventful night. This was a refreshing book with a good plot line, that didnt lose my interest.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Wow Comparison
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Peggy Lou
This book can be really comparing to me. No not like stealing money or nothing more like me being obseesed with Prom and try my baddest to earn it as fast i i could. No wonder natalie was stressing last ever dance and worked really hard for and dont get really sad. but luckily they got friends to help raise some money some donations and had it in the gym. I love this book
This book can be really comparing to me. No not like stealing money or nothing more like me being obseesed with Prom and try my baddest to earn it as fast i i could. No wonder natalie was stressing last ever dance and worked really hard for and dont get really sad. but luckily they got friends to help raise some money some donations and had it in the gym. I love this book
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
prom
Overall rating
1.0
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Reader reviewed by lauren
this book was okay. it was about a girl who had to help pull off a last minute prom in the school gym after her math teacher stole most of the prom money. the girl, ashley, was a bit of a trouble maker, skipping classes, and skipping detentions, and hanging out with her older boyfriend TJ, who dropped out of school. The two were planning on getting an apartment together. ashley and her friend nat are busy planning for the prom, asking for donations and everything. as the day to prom gets closer nat decided to wear her prom shoes to school, and trips, hurting her leg and requiring a cast, leaving ashley all by herself, with the help of the the prom committee, which wasnt that helpful. Ashley has her dress picked out and everything is ready, excpet that she finds outs that because she never made up her detentions she is unable to go to the prom, but will that stop her? if you want to know, read the book!
this book was okay. it was about a girl who had to help pull off a last minute prom in the school gym after her math teacher stole most of the prom money. the girl, ashley, was a bit of a trouble maker, skipping classes, and skipping detentions, and hanging out with her older boyfriend TJ, who dropped out of school. The two were planning on getting an apartment together. ashley and her friend nat are busy planning for the prom, asking for donations and everything. as the day to prom gets closer nat decided to wear her prom shoes to school, and trips, hurting her leg and requiring a cast, leaving ashley all by herself, with the help of the the prom committee, which wasnt that helpful. Ashley has her dress picked out and everything is ready, excpet that she finds outs that because she never made up her detentions she is unable to go to the prom, but will that stop her? if you want to know, read the book!
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Gritty
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by KL
I've read 3 of Halse's books now and I have to say of all three, Speak, Catalyst and Prom, this is my least favorite. Perhaps it's because I didn't feel she was part of the world she was writing about. I felt that some of the lower class background was more of a foreign subject to her. The other 2 novels were set in a middle to upper middle class backgound and those books seemed to flow much better. I did think it was a unique plot idea though.
The main character is someone who you wish you could leap into the pages and give advice to. I keep wanting to throttle her and tell her to stay away from her boyfriend, maximize her potential, and not move out once she graduates high school. I feel she's just a step away from being pregnant and on welfare if she stays on the track she's on. So the book did hit me emotionally.
Overall, this is a book that I would only recommend to older readers. Some of the subject matter is a bit mature (not that it's overly sexual, it's just something a younger reader might not grasp as well), and would be better appreciated by an older audience.
I've read 3 of Halse's books now and I have to say of all three, Speak, Catalyst and Prom, this is my least favorite. Perhaps it's because I didn't feel she was part of the world she was writing about. I felt that some of the lower class background was more of a foreign subject to her. The other 2 novels were set in a middle to upper middle class backgound and those books seemed to flow much better. I did think it was a unique plot idea though.
The main character is someone who you wish you could leap into the pages and give advice to. I keep wanting to throttle her and tell her to stay away from her boyfriend, maximize her potential, and not move out once she graduates high school. I feel she's just a step away from being pregnant and on welfare if she stays on the track she's on. So the book did hit me emotionally.
Overall, this is a book that I would only recommend to older readers. Some of the subject matter is a bit mature (not that it's overly sexual, it's just something a younger reader might not grasp as well), and would be better appreciated by an older audience.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Funny
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Leslie J. de la Rosa
It’s amazing what you might hear while roaming the school halls. I discovered this while reading this book. Ashley’s senior year is about to end. With prom on her best friend, Nat, mind 24/7, she finds most of her time spent with TJ her boyfriend. Well she plans to spend most of her time with him, but he keeps standing her up. Ashley works at a pizza place were she has to wear a rat costume and they keep pulling her tail. While at school someone has stolen the prom money and prom would have been canceled if it weren’t for Ashley. She wouldn’t care less about prom if it weren’t for her friend who lived for it. I thought this book was pretty good and enjoyable to read.
It’s amazing what you might hear while roaming the school halls. I discovered this while reading this book. Ashley’s senior year is about to end. With prom on her best friend, Nat, mind 24/7, she finds most of her time spent with TJ her boyfriend. Well she plans to spend most of her time with him, but he keeps standing her up. Ashley works at a pizza place were she has to wear a rat costume and they keep pulling her tail. While at school someone has stolen the prom money and prom would have been canceled if it weren’t for Ashley. She wouldn’t care less about prom if it weren’t for her friend who lived for it. I thought this book was pretty good and enjoyable to read.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
hilarious, sweet, didn't lose my attention
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by chikita
one of the best: i didn't get bored, i laughed aloud at parts, and it really had a story with morals.
also, the characters were nearly brilliant. Ashley Hannigan was one of the most realistic teen characters i've ever read in a book, and yet totally interesting. She doesn't lie about her feelings. Nat's grandmother is also funny and sweet, adding a zest to this book. Laurie Halse Anderson rocks, she understands what it's like to be a teenager.
one of the best: i didn't get bored, i laughed aloud at parts, and it really had a story with morals.
also, the characters were nearly brilliant. Ashley Hannigan was one of the most realistic teen characters i've ever read in a book, and yet totally interesting. She doesn't lie about her feelings. Nat's grandmother is also funny and sweet, adding a zest to this book. Laurie Halse Anderson rocks, she understands what it's like to be a teenager.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
this book is preety awesome!
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Robbino678
this book was preety good.. at first i thoguht ashely was a punk.. but she waas preety cool.. i thought it was really good at first i was going to put it down and start on a new book but it was really good.. i would recomend it to any1. thanks
this book was preety good.. at first i thoguht ashely was a punk.. but she waas preety cool.. i thought it was really good at first i was going to put it down and start on a new book but it was really good.. i would recomend it to any1. thanks
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Inspiring And Shows You What Life Is All About
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by two sided freek
Ahley, a teen living on the other side of the tracks, attends a highschool where the prom's money gets stolen. Of course, Ashley has no interest in going, but seeing all the other girls distraught over no prom, signs up for a committee that will gather more money and supplies for the prom. Meanwhile, Ahsley deals with her boyfriend, her family, her grades which are slowly dropping, and the fact that she might not be able to attend the only thing she has worked so hard for.
Prom, such a wide subject. Prom, as I consider it, is an event when lots of girls spend money on meaningless items such as dresses and shoes and have their hair done really nice, just for something as materialistic as one night of fun. That's what I used to think prom was. After reading this book, I come to find it is so much more. It's one night of letting go, becoming someone you never were, becoming someone pretty, noticed, and so much more. It's different for alot of teen but one hope we all share is to have one night of blissful memories, one night of fun that we can always treasure. In this book, it's one community that doesn't have everything they can, no endless supply of money, worries that never come to an end. It's one community coming together after a day's hard work. It's inspiring to see all these characters that face immense hardships, family problems, lack of money, and alot more come together to let go of all life's worries and just enjoy life.
Ahley, a teen living on the other side of the tracks, attends a highschool where the prom's money gets stolen. Of course, Ashley has no interest in going, but seeing all the other girls distraught over no prom, signs up for a committee that will gather more money and supplies for the prom. Meanwhile, Ahsley deals with her boyfriend, her family, her grades which are slowly dropping, and the fact that she might not be able to attend the only thing she has worked so hard for.
Prom, such a wide subject. Prom, as I consider it, is an event when lots of girls spend money on meaningless items such as dresses and shoes and have their hair done really nice, just for something as materialistic as one night of fun. That's what I used to think prom was. After reading this book, I come to find it is so much more. It's one night of letting go, becoming someone you never were, becoming someone pretty, noticed, and so much more. It's different for alot of teen but one hope we all share is to have one night of blissful memories, one night of fun that we can always treasure. In this book, it's one community that doesn't have everything they can, no endless supply of money, worries that never come to an end. It's one community coming together after a day's hard work. It's inspiring to see all these characters that face immense hardships, family problems, lack of money, and alot more come together to let go of all life's worries and just enjoy life.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
boring
Overall rating
1.0
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Reader reviewed by artemis
This book was boring. Just two teens moaning over the prom and why they are dateless. Boring. You're time is better spent going to your prom than sitting around reading about crazy teens complaining about theirs. Predictable. It was so annoying, but I'm glad I borrowed it instead of buying it.
This book was boring. Just two teens moaning over the prom and why they are dateless. Boring. You're time is better spent going to your prom than sitting around reading about crazy teens complaining about theirs. Predictable. It was so annoying, but I'm glad I borrowed it instead of buying it.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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