Prom

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Review by Laken L

It’s clear to see why prom is such a big deal: a princess dress in that perfect color, the white limo that seems to stretch forever down the street, and the romantic feeling that fills the air. With your hair and makeup done just right, you make a statement when you walk through those high school gym doors. This is every girl’s dream… at least, that’s what you would think.  The book Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson follows Ashley Hannigan through life as a senior in high school. Ashley doesn’t want to have anything to do with prom, and she’d like it to stay that way. The prom buzz is all Ashley can hear, but she never got what what so important about the dance. Along her journey through her last year of high school, she realizes that life is full of surprises, and sometimes it’s best to let things go and make room for something better.

In my experience reading this book, I thought it was delightfully humorous. Not only does Ashley have an unconventional family and friend group, but Ashley herself always seems to find herself in some kind of trouble.  A detention here, an unfinished assignment there, and only a sliver of time in her day. Obstacles are not afraid to present themselves to Ashley, and not a single time did that get boring in this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, both worried for Ashley and also wondering what would happen if everything crumbled. If Ashley were a perfect girl looking for the perfect prom, the plot would have fallen flat in the first few chapters.

Even though I am not a senior yet, I found Ashley a relatable character. It was interesting to see the way she viewed her world: predictable and overrated. Ashley’s personality created both hilarious and tender moments throughout the plot. The way she interacts with each person in her life is unique, and sets up so many different outcomes for each situation. Like I said, there’s never a dull moment in Prom!

Anderson does a great job of leading the reader through the ups and downs of Ashley’s adventure. Towards the end, you think you might never forgive Anderson. Don’t worry, she makes it up to you with a sweet and totally killer ending. When I finished it, I actually cheered. If you’re looking for a book that shows you a different version of a high school experience, Prom is the one for you.