MADreads

Major good YA romance

March 14th, 2008 Katharine - Sequoya

Confession time.  I was a marching band majorette.  And a pageant participant.  I could totally relate to the high school antics found in Major Crush by Jennifer Echols and this was the perfect “between books” YA title to tide me over until that new Grisham book comes out.

Sixteen-year old Virginia Sauter has won the title of co-drum major, not as glamorous as the titles her best friend Allison is still winning on the pageant circuit, but this daughter of a Miss Alabama is making do because she has a thing for Drew, the other drum major.  Of course Drew is off limits, dating one (or both?) of the evil twins of the high school, Tracey and Casey.

Virginia and Drew’s sexual tension is the main plot of this teen romance but there are some interesting side stories that really fill this short read out.  Allison, the only African-American student in the small high school confronts the racist taunts of the evil twins as the school decides to do away with a segregated homecoming queen/miss victory award.  Mr. Rush, first year band director, opens up about his not so perfect life and offers up some witty therapy advice to Drew and Virginia as they delve into a rocky high school relationship.  Virginia is also dealing with a male best friend who wants more from her and she’s confronting the mistake her father made a few years back that has come to shape her outlook on men.

Sometimes YA novels can hit you over the head with all the drama, but this one handled the “hallmark moments” and social lessons with sublety and charm.  I’ll be recommending Major Crush to all my pre-teen and teenage nieces for some Spring Break reading.  And maybe while you’re waiting for that novel to come in on your holds list you could ask a friendly librarian for a YA recommendation.  Tell them an ex-pageant/ex-drum majorette/library assistant told you there were some good reads out there.

Entry Filed under: Recreational Fiction, Romance, Young Adult