Best. Night. Ever : a story told from seven points of view

Format:

Book

Title:

Best. Night. Ever : a story told from seven points of view

Author:

Alpine, Rachele, 1979- author

ISBN:

9781481486606

Edition:

First Aladdin hardcover edition.

Publication:

New York : Aladdin, 2017.

Physical Description:

340 pages ; 22 cm

Contents:

Text compilation and Ashlyn / Jennifer Malone -- Carmen / Rachel Alpine -- Ellie / Ronni Arno -- Genevieve / Alison Cherry -- Ryan / Stephanie Faris -- Tess / Gail Nall -- Jade / Dee Romito.

Summary:

On the night of a middle school dance, excitement yields to complications for seven students, some who perform with their rock band, some who attend, and some who have other obligations.

Reading Level:

Ages 9-13.

Subject(s):

Dance parties -- Juvenile fiction.

Middle schools -- Juvenile fiction.

Interpersonal relations -- Juvenile fiction.

Musicians -- Juvenile fiction.

Dance parties -- Fiction.

Middle schools -- Fiction.

Schools -- Fiction.

Interpersonal relations -- Fiction.

Genre:

Children's stories.

Fiction.

Juvenile works.

JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship.

Added Author:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Monmouth Public Library	J Fic Alpine, R. 2017	Searching... Unknown

Love Actually meets Adventures in Babysitting in this hilarious novel written by seven authors about seven classmates who are preparing for a crazy night at their middle school dance.

Lynnfield Middle School is prepped and ready for a dance to remember, including an awesome performance from Heart Grenade, the all-girl band who recently won a Battle of the Bands contest. Seven classmates--Carmen, Genevieve, Tess, Ryan, Ellie, Ashlyn, and Jade--intend to make the most of the night...or at least the five of them who are able to attend do. The other two would sacrifice almost anything to be there.

One thing's for sure--this entire crew is in for one epic night! Gail Nall, Dee Romito, Rachele Alpine, Ronni Arno, Alison Cherry, Stephanie Faris, and Jen Malone have created a charming, hilarious, and relatable novel that's perfect for anyone who can't wait to dance the night away.

Author Notes

Alison Cherry graduated from Harvard University. She is a professional photographer and worked as a lighting designer for theater, dance, and opera productions for many years. She is also an author. Her books include Red, For Real, The Classy Crooks Club, and Look Both Ways.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 4-7-Readers are immersed in one night of zany antics and the embarrassing moments of seven middle school narrators. Seven middle grade authors, including Alison Cherry, Gail Nall, and Ronni Arno, each write from the perspective of a different main character, all of whom are about to embark on their first school dance. The highlight of the night is a live performance by the all-girl band Heart Grenade. The lead singer is off at a family wedding, the backup singer-turned-lead has stage fright, and a girl from a different band is out to sabotage their TV debut. Miscommunication and hurt feelings abound in the days leading up to the big dance. The wallflower is tricked into thinking that she has a date, and her stepsister, upset at being grounded, drives a lawn mower with the girls she is babysitting all the way to the school. Readers will laugh as they learn of the misgivings, revenge, and eye-opening revelations that ensue. VERDICT Tweens interested in funny friendship drama will eat this one up.--Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

Seven authors craft a cohesive narrative about one night in the lives of seven seventh graders. Centering on a middle school dance with a performance by an all-girl band, each chapter--told from a different character's perspective--has a distinctly different voice yet is integrated seamlessly with the overarching plot. A compulsive read with an array of situations and dramas tweens will relate to. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

For one night Lynnfield Middle School hosts the biggest event in town, the seventh-grade dance. The gym transforms into a thrilling stage for the members of all-girl band Heart Grenade. After winning the mall's Battle of the Bands, Heart Grenade will be rocking live at the dance and on local TV. However, Latina lead singer Carmen's cousin's wedding is the same night. African-American backup singer Genevieve will take Carmen's place, but she's got butterflies building in her stomach. White drummer Tess is confident her night on stage will be perfect until drama erupts between her and her rival, Mariah, another white girl and would-be drummer. Mariah's best friend, Ryan, had hoped he'd have a shot with her tonight but the Tess drama is a distraction. Shy, white Ellie is thrilled to attend the dance with her crush and even more grateful that her Korean-American stepsister, Seo-yeon (known as Ashlyn at school), will be babysitting for her. Ashlyn, though, couldn't care less about babysitting. And Jade, likely white, can barely contain her nefarious glee. When Heart Grenade "totally robbed" her band at the mall contest, she decided that revenge was the only option. There's no telling how this night will end with hearts, music, and friendship on the line. This eventful middle school dance is told from seven points of view by seven different writers. Under Malone's editorship, they pull it off with seamless chemistry and strong character building. A fun, fresh take on a classic theme. (Fiction. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.