This past summer I read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. This book is a spoof on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies: it poses the question, what if characters marooned on an island were all female, not male? Though it’s a spoof, don’t think it’s all one big joke. It's not simply silly--it deals with important issues such as gender equality, corporate greed, and the environment.
The characters are all Miss Teen USA contestants, and some would rather work on their tans and their choreography routines rather than build fires and huts to survive. Through all of their conflicts, however, they learn a great deal about themselves, the unfairness of gender roles, and, equally important, awesome knife skills.
The book made me laugh—a lot. When one of the contestants uses a broken-off metal piece of the airplane to catch the sun’s rays for her tan, I knew this book was going to be fun! Also, when the girls decide what they can contribute to the group, Miss Ohio says she can grill. She tells the others, "Helloooo I'm from the Buckeye State. We are serious about our tailgating parties. I can turn anything into a grill.” Yay, Ohio!
Beauty Queens is a funny, smart book. You should read it!
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