Review: A Match Made in High School

A Match Made in High School (ARC) by Kristin Walker
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: February 4th, 2010 aka TODAY!
Pages: 277
Age Level: 15+/YA (Numerous double entendres and some language.)

Synopsis
When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Review
A Match Made in High School is a delightful, laugh-riot-a-minute, side-splitting good time. An unforgettable debut novel from talented author Kristin Walker.

One of the things I liked so much about this book was how authentic and well developed the characters were. Fiona's inability to keep whatever thought popped into her head from popping out her mouth made her so funny and relatable. At times she could be selfish and judgemental, but then again, can't we all? I really enjoyed watching her change through out the story and getting to go on that journey with her.

I admit, I couldn't stand Todd at first. However, as the story went on, I actually grew to like him. There was a lot more to him then what originally appeared. Sam, the girl Fiona babysits, was, as Fiona says, "Too freakin adorable." She was so spunky and sassy that I wish she could be my little sister. Marcie wasn't exactly my favorite person but she had her moments. Even Amanda, who wasn't really in the book all that much, had changed some by the end. Last but not least is Johnny who was so sweet and reminded me a lot of someone I know, though I wish I could have gotten to know him better. Hmmm, did I say last. My mistake, how could I possibly forget Fiona's parents who were so gosh darn freakin' funny.

The story itself, though a bit predictable, was very original as well as fast paced and down right hilarious. Like seriously, by the time I could calm down and compose myself after rolling on the floor laughing about one thing, something else just as funny would happen or be said. Of course, I like to think that there are some underlying messages about friendship and getting to know a person better before you judge them, too. The writing was good and the dialogue witty with a bit of bite.

I thought the ending was perfect and everything was tied up so well. I don't know that I'd have changed anything about it.

All in all, A Match Made in High School is a great, fun read that I think most anyone, even adults, would enjoy and I highly recommend it. Two thumbs up to Walker for this wonderfully humorous and satisfying debut novel. I can definitely see my self reading this book again in the not so distant future.

Grade
Characters: B+
Writing: B-
Plot: B+
Ending: A-
Enjoyment/Likability: A
Recommendable: A
Cover: B-

Overall: B+

Blogger Interview: Pirate Penguin, Part 2

Welcome back peeps! Today concludes my interview with Sandy and I hope you all enjoy reading her answers to my out of the ordinary questions. :D
Name: Sandy
Alias: Pirate Penguin
Blog: Pirate Penguin Reads

Part 2: Wacky, Random, Thoughtful

The Book Pixie: What is one of your favorite quotes?

Pirate Penguin: I love quotes! I have a few favorites..
"If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it." -Toni Morrison
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt
"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art." -Eleanor Roosevelt

TBP: You wake up in the hospital and are told you were electrocuted. What stupid thing were you doing to cause that to happen?

PP: I probably got into a fight with my microwave. I get into fights with inanimate objects a lot these days *shakes head*

TBP: If forced to dye your hair an unnatural color, what would you choose?

PP: Oh gosh. I would have to say...blue. But a specific kind of blue. Like turquoise or periwinkle for example. :D

TBP: Zombies are taking over the world and it is up to you to stop them. You can choose four people to help fight them off and one supernatural power? Who do you pick and which power?

PP: I would choose my friends Meggo, Cristina, Diana and Tanya. Meggo & Cristina are amazingly creative so they'd find some genius way to divert the evil zombies... Diana is more book smart so she'd formulate a perfect getaway plan and Tanya's a goofball so she can ease the tense moments with a silly joke. As for a power? Just one? Damn! Okay... To be able to run at top speed so I can run away from the zombies. I could carry all my friends and just run into the night!

TBP: A mob of people with pitch forks and torches are chasing after you. Who are they and what did you do to piss them off?

PP: They're probably a mob of librarians. See, I made the mistake of telling them that I was taking their entire YA collection...without any intentions of giving it back! And I might have taken too many free bookmarks... ;)

TBP: If you could be any supernatural/mythical creature, what would it be and why?

PP: I'd like to be a shape-shifter. I find it so fascinating to be able to just turn into another creature... and maybe a faerie x)

TBP: If you were to create your own 'Bucket List' (Things to do before you 'kick the bucket'), what would be the first 3 things on it?

PP: Cliche as this sounds, travel the world! There are so many places that I want to visit and I love learning about new cultures. And (here's another cliche) to write my own novel. I'm not sure when it'll happen, but I'd like it to :) Also, I've been wanting to learn how to belly dance since it looks like so much fun!
(Belly dancing? I can honestly say I'd have never guessed. lol.)

TBP: Anything else you'd like to add?

PP: Just that I loved these questions, Bri. Thanks for the fun interview! :)

Thanks again, Sandy, for letting me interview you. It was really fun and I hope all of you readers enjoyed getting to know Sandy better. In case you missed Part 1 of my interview with her, go HERE to check it out.

Blogger Interview: Pirate Penguin, Part 1

Hello everyone! Today I would like you all to welcome one of my best blog buddies Sandy from over at Pirate Penguin Reads who was kind enough to let me interview her. :D
Name: Sandy
Alias: Pirate Penguin
Blog: Pirate Penguin Reads

Part 1: Bloggish/Bookish

The Book Pixie: Tell us a little bit about your blog.

Pirate Penguin: Pirate Penguin's Reads is my own little corner on the internet where I talk non-stop about books! I review mostly YA books but sometimes I’ll review an adult or middle-grade book. Mostly I stick to YA-I am a young adult, after all. But I try to read different genres and such because I don't want to miss out on great stories!

TBP: What is your favorite thing about blogging?

PP: Being able to talk to other bloggers and authors (squee!) about books! It's so much fun to connect with other voracious readers like myself-it's good to know that we're not a dying breed. XD

TBP: On average, how many books do you read/review a month?

PP: I'd have to say I read 1-8 books per month. As for reviewing...it depends on my school schedule-there are days when I barely have a moment to sit down since I’m always studying and working on papers/essays. But I try my best to post my reviews and have contests here and there.

TBP: Who is your most recent favorite author? Your oldest favorite?

PP: My recent favorite would definetely have to Kristin Walker. I had the chance to read her book A Match Made In High School and holy crap was it good! I was blown away by how awesome it was. My oldest favorite would have to be Gail Carson Levine; she wrote Ella Enchanted which is still one of my favorite books.
(Cool Sandy! I recently finished AMMiHS and will have a review and interview up this week coincidently enough. lol.)

TBP: What are three books you are most looking forward to the release of this year?

PP:
1.) The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong
2.) Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
3.) Hourglass by Claudia Gray

TBP: Do you write stuff besides reviews? Working on anything in particular?

PP: I’m trying to get back into writing poetry. I used to be obsessed with it. (Like having-to-write-stanzas-on-my-skin-because-I-couldn't-find-any-paper-obsessed!) I used to not be able to sleep because I had a poem forming in my head and I had to write it down otherwise it would nag me. I don't know how I broke out of this weird, obsessive cycle but I did... and I sort of miss it. I guess you could say I lost my muse.

TBP: Where do you like to read?

PP: I like to read wherever I'm most comfortable. Usually that's in my living room where you can always find me curled up with a book ;)

TBP: Any advice for those bloggers/reviewers just starting out?

PP: Don’t worry about the number of followers you have or getting ARCs. If you focus on that, then you’ll get frustrated and you’ll want to quit. What makes people come to your site is content: so read and review constantly. You don’t even need to review upcoming books-you can always review books that are already out and build from that. And when it comes to reviewing, BE HONEST. It’s totally fine to not like a book when the entire blogosphere might be raving about it-there’s no right or wrong answer; it’s all opinion. Oh, and most important of all, have fun with blogging! It’s a great experience :)
(Great advice girl.)

I would like to thank Sandy for coming over for a visit and letting me interview her. I hope you all enjoyed reading her answers and will stop by tomorrow for Part 2. Also, if you aren't following this totally awesometastic girl and her blog, you better start. Or else..... :P

28 Days of Winter Escapes: A Book-A-Day Giveaway!

Hey everyone! So maybe some of you have noticed the gorgeous and fun new widget at the top of all my posts and if you haven't then you better do a double take peeps cause you are going to wanna know about it.

Everyday in the frigid month of February, HarperTeen is offering you a chance to win a signed book and having a different blog feature a talented author as part of an awesome feature called, 28 Days of Winter Escapes! How exciting, right?! How do you get entered you ask? Well, by simply voting on the day and book's corresponding poll.

Not only that, but once a week one of the polls will get you entered to win an I-Pod Touch. The best way to win is to take the poll everyday because even HarperTeen doesn't know which poll will get you entered since it is random. The week leading up to Valentine's day will offer TWO chances to win an I-Pod Touch.

In case you were wondering, my day is the 25th so I'll be featuring Beth Kephart since my day's book is The Heart is Not a Size. So be sure and drop by then to read the interview with Beth and also don't forget to visit the other 27 blogs hosting this event on their days.

Other cool stuff you can find featured on the site is The Magic Snow Globe, basically like a magic eight ball only prettier, Love or Anti-love E-cards and a Really Cool Quiz.

There is also a way to follow the twitter conversation concerning the 28 Book-A-Day Giveaway. If you are feeling kind and would like to help promote the 28 Days of Winter Escapes, then please use the hashtag #28daygiveaway and follow @HarperTeen.

I hope you are all just as excited about this as I am! This was such a wonderful idea from HarperTeen and I'm sure it will all be a blast.

Oh, and don't forget to click on the widget ^ there to take today's poll and be enetered for a chance to win a signed copy of The Amanda Project: Invisible I by Stella Lennon. :D