Haters

October 9, 2006
Like the film Mean Girls
, Valdes-Rodriguez's (The Dirty Girls Social Club
, for adults) first YA novel offers a hip, contemporary close-up view of power struggles and social cliques at an upper-crust high school. Paski (short for Pasquala), a native of Taos, N. Mex., gets a dose of culture shock when she moves to Orange County, Calif., with her cartoonist father, who has just landed a plum animator job. The 16-year-old soon finds out that in her new environs, wealth and outer beauty seem to count for everything. ("The cars the kids drive are nicer than the cars grown-ups drive back in Taos," Paski observes when she catches her first glimpse of Aliso Niguel High.) Trouble arises when Paski's biking skills and good looks catch the notice of heartthrob Chris Cabrera, who dates Jessica Nguyen, the most popular (and feared) girl in the school. At the same time that Jessica threatens her ("Stay away from Chris or you'll be very, very sorry," the girl warns), Paski has a premonition that something terrible is going to happen to Jessica during an upcoming race. The appeal of the novel comes from the author's mix of alluring elements—exotic, well-defined characters clad in designer fashions, luxurious settings, dark foreshadowing and intensely romantic scenes. Although the ending reflects fulfilled desires rather than real life, readers will likely take delight in seeing the good guys and the bad guys get exactly what they deserve. Ages 15-up.

December 1, 2006
Gr 9 Up-When her counter-culture artist dad makes a film deal for his comic strip, 16-year-old Paski moves from comfy Taos, NM, to Orange County, CA. Her down-to-earth lifestyle hasnt prepared her for the pace of money-conscious southern California, or for the perfect-looking, incredibly wealthy teenagers who rule the school. Here, she is discriminated against not for being Mexican American, but for her digs (a luxury apartment). During a raucous party, her escort slips a date-rape drug in her soda, and she is pushed into the pool by beautiful, popular, and unflinchingly ruthless Jessica, resulting in a hospital visit. Still, Paski cant ignore the sizzling attraction she feels toward Jessicas boyfriend or the persistent visions (its the family gift) that shes been having of Jessica wiping out during a motocross race. Valdes-Rodriguez includes all of the snarky hip commentary and girl-friend focus that defined her titles for adults, packing in explicit descriptions of clothing, home décor, and sex. Paskis first-person narrative is lively and honest, as she faces difficult situations and learns to trust her instincts. Her relationship with her permissive, doting father is described with humor and warmth. Basically, this is a chick-lit version of magical realism, as Paski, the golden Latina, uses her fabulous good looks, super mountain-biking skills, and psychic visions to arrive at the top of the heap."Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2006
" The Dirty Girls Social Club "(2003) ably elevates the shopworn story of a soulful teen who triumphs over mean girls. Heavy contrivances include Paski's psychic abilities, and many characters lack dimension. What will win over readers is hilarious, likable, resilient Paski, who is refreshingly both a tomboy and a romantic. Her musings about her Mexican heritage, family, love, friendship, and the joy of sports will pull a wide audience. Jock characters who pressure and objectify girls and dole out date-rape drugs, as well as Paski's sweet, physical romance suggest an older audience, who will hope for a sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2007
Culture shock reigns for sixteen-year-old Pasquala when she moves from New Mexico to LA. Sabotage, murder attempts, and visions sent from the dead are just some of the things Paski has to deal with. While a lot of the plot elements are melodramatic, Paski's self-confidence--and her insecurities--make for a compelling read.

(Copyright 2007 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)