Ferraro, Tina. Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

Kliatt, July, 2007 by Amanda MacGregor

FERRARO, Tina. Top ten uses for an unworn prom dress. Random House. 222p. c2006.0-385-73368-7. $7.99. S

Just two days prior to the prom, sophomore Nicolette Antonovich is dumped by her prom date. Rod, or "Rascal," is a year older than Nic and the hottest guy in school. Nic is shocked when he asked her to the dance--she didn't even think he knew her name! When his girlfriend unexpectedly moves back to town, he cancels his date with Nic, expecting her to understand. Try as she may, Nic just can't get over being dumped. It's now her junior year and she still has the prom dress hanging on the back of her bedroom door, serving as a constant reminder of her rejection. If that's not bad enough, she even puts it on and fantasizes about what the prom with Rascal would have been like. Alison, her best friend, tries to remind her that Rascal is a loser, but Nic just can't stop liking him. He makes sure to flirt with Nic just enough to keep her interested. Meanwhile, Alison's brother, Jared, who is also a senior, seems to be showing more than just a friendly interest in Nic. The two of them spend more time together as Nic attempts to help her mother save their house and her career.

Nic is a likeable, well-written character, but she is often frustratingly naive. She is completely oblivious to Jared's rather obvious feelings. She seems to understand that Rascal is a manipulative jerk, but repeatedly gets sucked into his mind games. It takes her far too long to realize that Rascal is not worth her time. That said, it also probably takes her a realistic amount of time to get over him. Readers who see the situation more clearly than Nic does will grow antsy for her to stop mooning over Rascal, but Nic's uncertainty unwinds at a rate that feels honest and real. Amanda MacGregor, St. Cloud, MN

S--Recommended for senior high school students.