Book Review by Aarene Storms: Beauty Queens

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray 

When a plane crash-lands on a (supposedly) deserted island, a small group of teenaged beauty pageant contestants are stranded away from parents, television cameras, and a powersupply for the straightening irons. Will they turn all Lord of the Flies? Will the Sparkle Ponies prevail? What will happen to their newfound sense of independence and self-worth when a ship full of faux rock star pirates lands on the island?

Most importantly: what will happen when the television cameras and Corporation representatives reveal themselves in the heroic conclusion?

Satire? Oh, yes. Social commentary? That too. Wickedly hilariously funny? Yes, yes, YES!

Rating:

HIGHLY recommended for teen girls, and parents of girls, and teachers of girls, and anybody who ever talks to girls (including boys). This book contains sexual situations, GLBTQ characters, feminists, corporation stooges, an insane dictator of a tiny country called ChaCha, and a little bit of cussing.

Also: some really good tips on alternative uses for feminine dipilatory cream.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS