"My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don't they realize that Hope's the only one who keeps me sane? I don't see how things could get any worse." When her best friend moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyper-observant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling feels more lost than ever. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, she struggles to cope without the one person she could truly communicate with. Navigating the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her father's obsession with her track meets, and her mother's fixation on her sister's lavish wedding only adds to her turmoil. This fresh, funny debut novel offers an insightful look at Jessica's teenage challenges—from the dark days following Hope's departure to her insomnia and complicated feelings for Marcus Flutie, the intelligent "Dreg" who captures her heart. With a voice reminiscent of John Hughes for the twenty-first century, the author captures the humor and drama of adolescence. This poignant, hilarious story resonates with readers experiencing similar struggles and those who are relieved to have moved past them.
