How to Fight, Lie, and Cry Your Way to Popularity (and a Prom Date)

Gr 10 Up—Chronological lists of anything usually provoke yawns, not fits of giggles. For the most part, this book is the exception. Presenting 50 well-chosen teen movies from the 1950s to 2010, it includes a comical summary of each one; a photo (most are in color and look like grainy screen caps); a memorable quote, comical quiz, or thoughts; and a wry, witty "life lesson." Readers need not have seen the movies to enjoy the book. In fact, it is more fun when you haven't, as the summaries will make readers laugh and wonder how any studio green-lighted the projects or any actors agreed to star in such productions. Some of the seemingly unbelievable premises may encourage teens to want to view the movie, but that doesn't seem to be the intent of the book. For all the laughs and well-placed sarcasm, though, the premise begins to wear thin, depending on readers' tolerance for the repetitive nature of teen movie plots. Some entries are clearly funnier and better thought out than others. Most entries have some mention of sex, but the entry for Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the most graphic with its description and photo of two of the main characters practicing their oral-sex technique on carrots in the school cafeteria.—Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT