Appetite for Detention

I laughed so hard reading APPETITE FOR DETENTION that everyone in my house thought I'd gone insane. (Okay, yes, they regularly think that anyway, but whatever.) This is one book where the pictures literally are worth a thousand words, even though there are words included. The life of high school is rendered in all its glory (or, actually, its horror) by chicks. Yes, chicks, the fuzzy yellow things that hatch from eggs. It's really not as stupid as it sounds, I promise. There's the Princess, the geek, the Jewish kid worrying about his Bar Mitzvah, the depressed guy, the girl obsessed with dieting, the horrible self-tanning accident, the Physical Education class, the lunch room, the football game - basically, it's all there. And it is laugh-out-loud hilarious. The photographs are amazing. Each student is represented by a particular chick, and it becomes easy within the first few pages to identify who is who even without reading the storyline. Although the words make up the story, it's the photos, with their intricate and amazing details, that make this book a real winner. And it's not just for teens. Any adult will find the fun in APPETITE FOR DETENTION, whether you're reliving your high school days or just looking for some really good entertainment. You really want to pick up a copy of this book, even if your entire family does end up thinking you're insane. Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Tanen has an uncanny ability. She can take a simple image, a few choice words, and an awkward situation and bring it all together. High school memories are both brilliant and bittersweet and I loved journeying back through the pages of "Appetite for Detention". Definitely not just for teens. I'm a major fan.

I am a big fan of Ms. Tanen's other books. Hatched! is hilarious. And my two year old loves Ms. Tanen's children's books about Coco the Chick. I bought Appetite for Detention for my 13 year old niece. She loved it. I am sure Appetite's dark comedy appealed to my niece's crazy sense of humor. Some of the scenes gave me flashbacks to my middle school days. The teen years are tough so it is nice to have a book around to help you laugh about them.

Sloane Tanen's books are always brilliant but this one has that extra uncomfortable bite of reliving the angst and pain of junior high. Whether you were the center of attention or desperately trying to fit in, Appetite throws you back into the days of lip smackers and feathered hair--or wherever you were when you were bordering on 13.

Sloane Tanen has done it again. This time she's brought her humor and incisive wit to high school. I was hooked from the first page: Professional Highlights: $135 Juicy Couture Handbag: $240 Knowing you're the prettiest girl in high school: priceless. Great for teens. Great for adults. Buy a few and give them as gifts.