Haters - Softcover

Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is the New York Times bestselling adult author of The Dirty Girls Social Club, Playing with Boys, and Make Him Look Good. She is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist and a former staff writer for both the Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe. Haters is her first young adult novel.

Grade 9 Up–When her counter-culture artist dad makes a film deal for his comic strip, 16-year-old Paski moves from comfy Taos, NM, to Orange County, CA. Her down-to-earth lifestyle hasn't prepared her for the pace of money-conscious southern California, or for the perfect-looking, incredibly wealthy teenagers who rule the school. Here, she is discriminated against not for being Mexican American, but for her digs (a luxury apartment). During a raucous party, her escort slips a date-rape drug in her soda, and she is pushed into the pool by beautiful, popular, and unflinchingly ruthless Jessica, resulting in a hospital visit. Still, Paski can't ignore the sizzling attraction she feels toward Jessica's boyfriend or the persistent visions (it's the family gift) that she's been having of Jessica wiping out during a motocross race. Valdes-Rodriguez includes all of the snarky hip commentary and girl-friend focus that defined her titles for adults, packing in explicit descriptions of clothing, home décor, and sex. Paski's first-person narrative is lively and honest, as she faces difficult situations and learns to trust her instincts. Her relationship with her permissive, doting father is described with humor and warmth. Basically, this is a chick-lit version of magical realism, as Paski, the golden Latina, uses her fabulous good looks, super mountain-biking skills, and psychic visions to arrive at the top of the heap.–Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO
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