Book Review: "If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?" By Melissa Kantor

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Okay, so I'm torn about this book.
Really the voice kind of came off as half-way middle school and half-way high school. The content was definitely high-school age or above. A lot of teen drinking... some blatant drug references... no sex, though... which was good. They made out a lot and talked about thongs and stuff, but no detailed kissing scenes meant to, you know, excite the reader.
As far as my suggestion for the middle school librarian goes, I wouldn't want my middle school-er reading this and thinking that the things referenced in this book and the behaviors exhibited are acceptable. If your middle school-er is mature and can read something and not think that it is something they should do just because it is in a book... well, then it would be okay. But for the majority of easily-influenced middle school-ers... I don't think it is appropriate. And if this is the behavior that middle school-ers are exhibiting, then I am very sad for this world.

As far as how I enjoyed the book... it touched on a lot of topics without overwhelming the reader. Teenagers DO deal with a lot of different stressers and so it felt very authentic. Some of the topics this book touched on: Step-families, attention from popular boys, being liked for who you are versus how you look, the death of a parent, divorce, fitting in at school, fitting in at home... etc. etc. etc.

It was fun. It was really fun. Quick, light read. You really hated the step-mom at first -- I could really empathize with the main character during everything she went through and I FELT a lot. I especially felt the injustices. It ended in a very satisfying way -- which I like. Things worked out for Lucy without making me roll my eyes at how ridiculously convenient it all was.

Overall -- not a waste of time. A fun, light, easy read.