A Match Made in High School

Fiona's the unluckiest girl at East Columbus High school. Or so she thinks. Her longtime crush, super-hot-and-seemingly-sweet, Gabe Webber, doesn't even seem to know she's alive. Her best friend, Marcie has been acting a little strange lately. And worst of all, she's been paired up with meathead Todd Harding for a school project that involves a year-long, pseudo-marriage. But as the project starts to get serious, Fiona may realize that things are not always as they seem, and that sometimes, people really do surprise you. Or do they? Kristen Walker delivers laugh-out-loud comedy in this teen romance, which has everything in it from a good-guy-gone-bad, the bad-boy-gone-good, and a couple of parents who just can't seem to keep their hands off each other. If you plan to pick up one summer comedy this year, make it A Match Made in High School. -- Reviewed by Jill MacKenzie

Fiona "Fee" Sheehan is finally a senior in high school. She and her best friend, Marcie, head into their first day assembly and straight into a nightmare. The principal informs the senior class that they have a new mandatory course this year. They must complete it or they will not graduate. It is called "Trying the Knot", a curriculum of marriage education. Each female senior student will be paired up with a male senior student and they will be "married" for the entire school year. Naturally, the pairings are hideous. Fiona ends up with Todd Harding, super jock, and serious boyfriend of her nemesis, head cheerleader Amanda Lowell. Amanda is paired with Fee's longtime crush, Gabe Webber. Marcie has to spend her year with the very goofy, very BIG Johnny Mercer. There are all sorts of requirements, rules, counseling sessions, budgets, work schedules, and journals to be completed. Fiona and Todd, horrified that they are a "couple", spend the first few weeks fighting, pranking each other, and generally making each other miserable. However, both of them and indeed all the seniors involved find that, in the end, they may have a lot more in common than they realize. I liked the characters in this story. Fiona is not a popular girl, but she is mostly comfortable in her own skin. She tells it like it is. A little self-absorbed (but what teen isn't), she still learns that some of her assumptions about others are not necessarily correct. The author uses humor in a good way and I laughed out loud many times. Though there is a bit of strong language included and a limited amount of teen drinking, the kids are shown making some really good choices and learning there are consequences for bad choices. I've read other YA books that included kids having to care for fake babies in the form of dolls, eggs, or flour sacks. This is the first that I've read where they had to learn how to get along in a marital relationship. Some good lessons were presented. I would suggest this book for 8th grade and up. Well done, Kristin Walker, and I'll be looking for your next book and recommending it to my teen librarian friends. The cover is great, by the way.

A Match Made In High School was one of the most wickedly hilarious books of the year! From page one, you are thrown into Fiona's grueling senior year. Fiona is a character that you are going to love, because of her tell it as it comes attitude to her comical side which has you forever laughing. Tod and Johnny are the exact same way, making the characters in this book a key part to it's greatness. The plot was unique, because really have you ever read a teen book dealing with mandatory Marriage Education program? Yeah, I didn't think so. I loved different jokes and pranks Kristin added in this, ones that you wouldn't normally have seen if the Marriage Education program wasn't present. Also, there were constantly different revelations thrown at you, making this a fast and fun read. Overall, Kristin is a yet another great add to the YA market, I look forward to reading more by her in the future. I suggest A Match Made In High School to fans of Meg Cabot and Susane Colasanti or teens just looking for a cute and funny romance comedy. Grade: A+

A Match Made in High School is a delightful, laugh-riot-a-minute, side-splitting good time. An unforgettable debut novel from talented author Kristin Walker. One of the things I liked so much about this book was how authentic and well developed the characters were. Fiona's inability to keep whatever thought popped into her head from popping out her mouth made her so funny and relatable. At times she could be selfish and judgemental, but then again, can't we all? I really enjoyed watching her change through out the story and getting to go on that journey with her. I admit, I couldn't stand Todd at first. However, as the story went on, I actually grew to like him. There was a lot more to him then what originally appeared. Sam, the girl Fiona babysits, was, as Fiona says, "Too freakin adorable." She was so spunky and sassy that I wish she could be my little sister. Marcie wasn't exactly my favorite person but she had her moments. Even Amanda, who wasn't really in the book all that much, had changed some by the end. Last but not least is Johnny who was so sweet and reminded me a lot of someone I know, though I wish I could have gotten to know him better. Hmmm, did I say last. My mistake, how could I possibly forget Fiona's parents who were so gosh darn freakin' funny. The story itself, though a bit predictable, was very original as well as fast paced and down right hilarious. Like seriously, by the time I could calm down and compose myself after rolling on the floor laughing about one thing, something else just as funny would happen or be said. Of course, I like to think that there are some underlying messages about friendship and getting to know a person better before you judge them, too. The writing was good and the dialogue witty with a bit of bite. I thought the ending was perfect and everything was tied up so well. I don't know that I'd have changed anything about it. All in all, A Match Made in High School is a great, fun read that I think most anyone, even adults, would enjoy and I highly recommend it. Two thumbs up to Walker for this wonderfully humorous and satisfying debut novel. I can definitely see my self reading this book again in the not so distant future.

Forget taking care of flour sack babies for credit, A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL takes that well-worn YA cliche, and kicks it up about a hundred notches. Fiona doesn't just have to share custody of a bag of Gold Medal this year- she has to make a marriage with obnoxious Todd work- or face failing her senior year. Walker's voice is conversational and funny, peppering this story with barbs of humor that stick with you. A confection perfect for the Valentine's season!