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Soundview High #2
How I Created My Perfect Prom Date
When the boy of her dreams invites someone else to the senior prom, the idealistic Nicole decides to transform her grungy next-door neighbor, Chase, into Mr. Perfect, with humorous results. Reprint.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
12 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
217 books790 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 14, 2014
After re-watching "Drive Me Crazy" for about the 15th time last week, I finally discovered it was based on this book.
Certain scenes are straight out of the book. But there are some differences, too.
The book is definitely a little more grown up in some ways, which was all right with me (Ray's habit and the confusion and responses of Chase and Dave; the reason for the divorce of the Maris parents, although that felt a bit far-fetched).
Pros of the book:
--You get more depth behind Nicole and Alicia.
--Ray and Dave were both pretty interesting characters.
Cons of the book:
--Certain characters felt much flatter: Chase (what does he like, besides girls and pranks? Where is his mom?; Dulcie (uh, so she's just this activist high school girl who might like two different boys?); I wanted to see more Dee Vine! (although I hear she has her own book).
--The relationship between Chase and Nicole is not given as much time to develop as it does in the film, which it needs. There are very few scenes in which they interact with each others' friend groups in the book. It really felt short and a bit flat and yet it was the point of the story ... The film did this much better and gave it much more flavor.
--Certain characters were reconfigured in more interesting ways in the movie (Dulcie and her romance, Chase's mom, Brad's romance, Eddie and Dee)
Overall, I liked reading the book ... but I LOVE the movie!
Certain scenes are straight out of the book. But there are some differences, too.
The book is definitely a little more grown up in some ways, which was all right with me (Ray's habit and the confusion and responses of Chase and Dave; the reason for the divorce of the Maris parents, although that felt a bit far-fetched).
Pros of the book:
--You get more depth behind Nicole and Alicia.
--Ray and Dave were both pretty interesting characters.
Cons of the book:
--Certain characters felt much flatter: Chase (what does he like, besides girls and pranks? Where is his mom?; Dulcie (uh, so she's just this activist high school girl who might like two different boys?); I wanted to see more Dee Vine! (although I hear she has her own book).
--The relationship between Chase and Nicole is not given as much time to develop as it does in the film, which it needs. There are very few scenes in which they interact with each others' friend groups in the book. It really felt short and a bit flat and yet it was the point of the story ... The film did this much better and gave it much more flavor.
--Certain characters were reconfigured in more interesting ways in the movie (Dulcie and her romance, Chase's mom, Brad's romance, Eddie and Dee)
Overall, I liked reading the book ... but I LOVE the movie!
February 20, 2013
The movie (Drive Me Crazy) was better. Seriously.
June 25, 2012
Confession time: I love the movie Drive Me Crazy. Like, an almost unfortunate amount. So of course when I stumbled across the book it's based on in the library today I had to give it a read. First impression was that the one page turns between jumping character perspective is a fairly irritating way to write a book. Other than that, the characters and plot were your basic high school kids. There were even parts where I knew they lifted the dialogue directly out of the book for the movie. I much preferred Book Nichole. She's way more realistic than the movie portrays her. And she's not perfect and has her own body issues, which is nice to see in books written by a male author for the teen girl audience. I did quite enjoy her spiels on global warming and math too. Not sure if the author was going for it, but what a delightful way to cram some science into a young adult book aimed at girls. Big ups for that. Chase is the same Chase. I did find it far more likely that the two ended up together in the book based on their banter and 'close to on/off again' relationship as opposed to pulling 180s between love/hate/love again in the movie. It was a cute book and a short read. I'll always like the movie better though.
October 25, 2023
i mean, yeah sure. it adds nothing to the movie. but i really liked it. the characters were great, the ending was stupid, and it was fun and easy
June 25, 2010
I'd love to give the book more stars but it's just not worth it.
I bought it because one of my favourite films - Drive me crazy - is an adaptation of this book. So I thought I should give it a try.
So, I got it. This 200 pages- with large letters- book with the shortest chapters ever. I read it whitin one hour, seriously.
It's funny and very superficial. I kind of liked it because I always thought of the movie during the reading. But you can't feel the love, you can't feel the people, you can't get into it because there's so substance.
I so love the movie and still think that it was worth reading the book but it's not really good.
So, WATCH THE MOVIE! :D
I bought it because one of my favourite films - Drive me crazy - is an adaptation of this book. So I thought I should give it a try.
So, I got it. This 200 pages- with large letters- book with the shortest chapters ever. I read it whitin one hour, seriously.
It's funny and very superficial. I kind of liked it because I always thought of the movie during the reading. But you can't feel the love, you can't feel the people, you can't get into it because there's so substance.
I so love the movie and still think that it was worth reading the book but it's not really good.
So, WATCH THE MOVIE! :D
January 26, 2012
It's amazing that screenwriters were able to make anything of this book. Drive Me Crazy is a sleepover nostalgia favorite of mine, so I wanted to read the book it was based on.
Other than the character's names and the basic "popular girl turns boy-next-door into a hottie" bit, the book and the movie are totally different. I enjoyed the movie, for starters. Also, the narration trades off between Nicole and Chase, not every chapter, but every two pages.
Though here's a fun thing, if you read the eBook edition: pagers have been updated to iPhones (specifically) in the most cut-and-paste way you can imagine. It was published in 1998, just let it be charmingly out-dated.
Other than the character's names and the basic "popular girl turns boy-next-door into a hottie" bit, the book and the movie are totally different. I enjoyed the movie, for starters. Also, the narration trades off between Nicole and Chase, not every chapter, but every two pages.
Though here's a fun thing, if you read the eBook edition: pagers have been updated to iPhones (specifically) in the most cut-and-paste way you can imagine. It was published in 1998, just let it be charmingly out-dated.
August 17, 2015
This is a case where the movie is so much better than the book. What's weird is there is more character development in the movie than in the book, something I didn't think possible.
I felt like the book was just an excuse to philosophize on morality and the meaning of life, but in the most superficial way possible. My advice to any would be readers is to skip the book and watch the movie, Drive Me Crazy, instead.
I felt like the book was just an excuse to philosophize on morality and the meaning of life, but in the most superficial way possible. My advice to any would be readers is to skip the book and watch the movie, Drive Me Crazy, instead.
December 31, 2015
This was thoroughly entertaining and did not end the way I thought it would. This is high school cliques at their best. Very realistic characters and situations.
June 27, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book, I felt like it was very attention grabbing and overall a fun read for me. I enjoy how in some parts that are subtle about whats going on to get you to think what's up instead of just flat out telling you. Overall I would recommend people to read this book!!
September 13, 2011
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
‘How I Created My Perfect Prom Date’ the second book in the Time Zone High series was okay through my eyes. I made a prediction about what I thought Stacy’s job was going to be when the book first started. The book was so predictable and flat out boring, but there was something that kept me going probably who was going to end up with who situation. I think that was the thing that made me finish the book. Sadly Ray and Nicole end up together Chase goes to the prom alone; Brad and Dulice split up so Dulice and Dave go together also Brad goes with Alicia. That’s the only thing that was interesting other than when Nicole gave Chase a makeover. Some people say,” I ended this book wanting to know more” I left this book wanting to know so much less. The book really told you everything I think that’s why the book was so predictable. The book was also very easy to picture in my head it was very vivid. Also in the book everybody had very strong emotions about everything (that was probably the only thing that was easy to connect with in this book). I really enjoy reading books by Todd Strasser but this was not his best work.’ How I Created My Perfect Prom Date’ was okay it’s your basic girl and guy are friends forever one day they meet at just the right moment and fall in love blah, blah, blah junk. I wish that something would have made it more fun and exciting. I would not recommend this book.
‘How I Created My Perfect Prom Date’ the second book in the Time Zone High series was okay through my eyes. I made a prediction about what I thought Stacy’s job was going to be when the book first started. The book was so predictable and flat out boring, but there was something that kept me going probably who was going to end up with who situation. I think that was the thing that made me finish the book. Sadly Ray and Nicole end up together Chase goes to the prom alone; Brad and Dulice split up so Dulice and Dave go together also Brad goes with Alicia. That’s the only thing that was interesting other than when Nicole gave Chase a makeover. Some people say,” I ended this book wanting to know more” I left this book wanting to know so much less. The book really told you everything I think that’s why the book was so predictable. The book was also very easy to picture in my head it was very vivid. Also in the book everybody had very strong emotions about everything (that was probably the only thing that was easy to connect with in this book). I really enjoy reading books by Todd Strasser but this was not his best work.’ How I Created My Perfect Prom Date’ was okay it’s your basic girl and guy are friends forever one day they meet at just the right moment and fall in love blah, blah, blah junk. I wish that something would have made it more fun and exciting. I would not recommend this book.
May 31, 2014
So, funny note: My copy of this book is titled "GIRL GIVES BIRTH TO OWN PROM DATE"--the title was the thing that got me to salvage it from a local book sale. If the title'd been "How I Created..." I would have deeeeffinniitely passed it up. The description on the jacket seemed a little fluffy, but I thought, "Hey, with a title like that it's gotta go someplace funky, right?" Oops, kinda. Also, I didn't know this is the novel "Drive Me Crazy" was based on. Go figure! A real piece of '90s nostalgia.
Anyways. I feel like this is pretty typical '90s teen fare, but there were just enough cool little nuggets of interesting to pluck out that I kinda enjoyed it. I like it that the author was "real" about the complexities of life and love, and I liked the "love and hope" line. I liked the "'It's only on the outside' said like they were sharing a secret" line, too. I respected the characters' growth towards the end.. that was cool.
All in all, this is a book that I would've been okay with Younger Me reading--you know, when it actually would've been an age-appropriate book. I still regret watching The Prince & Me, though.
Anyways. I feel like this is pretty typical '90s teen fare, but there were just enough cool little nuggets of interesting to pluck out that I kinda enjoyed it. I like it that the author was "real" about the complexities of life and love, and I liked the "love and hope" line. I liked the "'It's only on the outside' said like they were sharing a secret" line, too. I respected the characters' growth towards the end.. that was cool.
All in all, this is a book that I would've been okay with Younger Me reading--you know, when it actually would've been an age-appropriate book. I still regret watching The Prince & Me, though.
December 3, 2013
The review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews
Well, this is the book that the movie "Drive Me Crazy" is based off. Unfortunately, this book goes in the category where I enjoyed the film more than the book. It's similar in a lot of ways, but completely different in other. Like, Nicole & Chase never had a big falling out and it never discusses what happened to Chase's mom. Ray is completely different, he is a big pot-head and ends up having to go to rehad after driving a car into one way traffic in the wrong direction. Chase & Dulcie never dated, just a few noncommital makeout session.
Some elements are the same. Nicole's mom & Chase's dad are exactly the same. Brad & Alicia go to prom together. It was pretty good, but it definitely could have been better. Then again, what did I expect from a 200 page teen novel?
Well, this is the book that the movie "Drive Me Crazy" is based off. Unfortunately, this book goes in the category where I enjoyed the film more than the book. It's similar in a lot of ways, but completely different in other. Like, Nicole & Chase never had a big falling out and it never discusses what happened to Chase's mom. Ray is completely different, he is a big pot-head and ends up having to go to rehad after driving a car into one way traffic in the wrong direction. Chase & Dulcie never dated, just a few noncommital makeout session.
Some elements are the same. Nicole's mom & Chase's dad are exactly the same. Brad & Alicia go to prom together. It was pretty good, but it definitely could have been better. Then again, what did I expect from a 200 page teen novel?
May 1, 2016
Wow...
I had been looking forward to reading this novel ever since I first saw the movie Drive Me Crazy. And...what a let down. I would have given it 1 star, but I gave it two. Just because, for the most part, it had the ability to keep me entertained. But I can see why they changed the movie so much.
First of all, I read the Kindle version and it was loaded with errors! Another thing that bummed me out was that I think the book was updated for contemporary audiences. The book mentions iPhones and Halo, but the movie came out in 1999. I'm sad I didn't get to read the original version.
A lot of the characters come off as much more of a jerk than in the movie. Except for Alicia and Nicole, in fact Alicia is a lot tamer in the novel. Still don't like her though. Brad and Chase come off as much bigger jerks, and I don't like it. Dulcie is a WAY different character.
All in all, in the book vs. movie debate. See the movie, skip this book.
I had been looking forward to reading this novel ever since I first saw the movie Drive Me Crazy. And...what a let down. I would have given it 1 star, but I gave it two. Just because, for the most part, it had the ability to keep me entertained. But I can see why they changed the movie so much.
First of all, I read the Kindle version and it was loaded with errors! Another thing that bummed me out was that I think the book was updated for contemporary audiences. The book mentions iPhones and Halo, but the movie came out in 1999. I'm sad I didn't get to read the original version.
A lot of the characters come off as much more of a jerk than in the movie. Except for Alicia and Nicole, in fact Alicia is a lot tamer in the novel. Still don't like her though. Brad and Chase come off as much bigger jerks, and I don't like it. Dulcie is a WAY different character.
All in all, in the book vs. movie debate. See the movie, skip this book.
January 13, 2021
The movie is way better.
Also, as a teen romance novel it sure lacks the teen romance part. I like my tea unsweetened and my relationships well developed!
Aaaaalso (and this I know is asking too much out of it as it was written by a man and in the 90's) but Chase has very misogynistic tendencies, some of them quite funny (babe-a-licious? really?) some of them not (i specially disliked that one of the 5 scenes Chase and Nicole share in this consist in him molesting her)
I mean at least it gave me Princess Diaries vibes and urged me to rewatch the movie but like...that's it.
Also, as a teen romance novel it sure lacks the teen romance part. I like my tea unsweetened and my relationships well developed!
Aaaaalso (and this I know is asking too much out of it as it was written by a man and in the 90's) but Chase has very misogynistic tendencies, some of them quite funny (babe-a-licious? really?) some of them not (i specially disliked that one of the 5 scenes Chase and Nicole share in this consist in him molesting her)
I mean at least it gave me Princess Diaries vibes and urged me to rewatch the movie but like...that's it.
March 11, 2017
My 11th grade daughter, and some of my students (I"m a high school teacher), were assigned this book, so I picked it up and took a look. It's not exactly "Hamlet" or "The Great Gatsby", but it is a fun read, and I'm sure it holds the attention of many young readers.
As a fellow writer (struggling) I found it annoying that this has sold millions of copies, but after reading it, one can see why. The chapters are extremely short (2-4) pages, the action is steady, and teens can relate to the gravity of dating and identity. Since I consumed it in 2 days, it must have had more appeal than I originally gave it.
What I did appreciate about it was that I shared a literary work with my teen daugher- she didn't even read the book I wrote!
As a fellow writer (struggling) I found it annoying that this has sold millions of copies, but after reading it, one can see why. The chapters are extremely short (2-4) pages, the action is steady, and teens can relate to the gravity of dating and identity. Since I consumed it in 2 days, it must have had more appeal than I originally gave it.
What I did appreciate about it was that I shared a literary work with my teen daugher- she didn't even read the book I wrote!
January 8, 2011
This book was amusing in parts. Amusing enough that I had a smile on my face every once in a while. But by the end of the book I wondered what exactly the point was. Yes, I understand that there was plenty points made throughout the book about our miniscule amount of time we spend on earth. That there was forever before and forever after and we are some "spit on the sidewalk" somewhere during that time. With some of the other characters thrown in the story there are some other valid points the author was trying to make.
November 27, 2011
When I read the cover I conjured up a bunch of ridiculous explanations to the title. Did the mom take his son to prom? Nah. Is this one of those Frankenstein books? Hope not. But when I read the book I was really into the whole concept. The only flaw that I point out is that it should have been longer cause the ending was like a cliff hanger. When I looked for the sequel, it was about completely different set of teens in the same school, I want to know what happened without reading a completely different romance.
May 26, 2010
Short, fun read that was the basis for the movie Drive Me Crazy.
Written in 1996, the book is already surprisingly dated. In truth, I like the movie better than the book. In the novel, the characters somehow lacked dimension and while unintentional, I think Strasser was a little heavy-handed in his attempt to moralize the past (discussions of The Establishment in the context of the Vietnam War).
Written in 1996, the book is already surprisingly dated. In truth, I like the movie better than the book. In the novel, the characters somehow lacked dimension and while unintentional, I think Strasser was a little heavy-handed in his attempt to moralize the past (discussions of The Establishment in the context of the Vietnam War).
December 10, 2010
I guess in a way the book was an exception to my normal reading. This book was light, boringly so. The narration was new though, about two pages of chapters each. I think it is too keep the attention of bimbos who read. They do have the attention span of a gnat. I didn’t really get why she first wanted to go out with Brad, then Chase, then Ray and then Chase again. The ending was a twist, but not a surprise. I hated that she added scientific facts to look smart.
July 3, 2017
Nicole is Miss Popularity, who is expecting jock Brad Selden to ask her to prom so they can be the most popular couple. Nicole is a little disturbed by the superficiality of it, but still can't help wanting it. But when Brad falls in love with Dulcie, Nicole is desperate for a prom date. She decides to make Chase, long-time friend and neighbor, into a hunk. Chase isn't sure, however, that he wants to be with the popular crowd.
October 13, 2019
Oh this is the one that got me going. You might be familiar with the mediocre movie called "Drive me Crazy" starring Melissa Joan Hart and a pre-Entourage Adrian Grenier. The chapters alternate between Nicole and Chase and their budding "romance". Nicole is queen of the populars and Chase is her childhood neighbor and scruffy slacker. There's backstory galore and all kinds of wackiness.
May 21, 2011
This was ok. It was very close to the movie (Drive Me Crazy starring Melissa Joan Hart) but I actually preferred the movie (which is always a surprise). The story is told from alternating points of view between Nicole and Chase. The whole first 3/4 of the book seemed to drag and then out of nowhere everything happens and ends in the span of about 5 pages.
April 18, 2016
I recently re-watched the movie Drive Me Crazy and saw in the opening credits that it was based on this book and so I decided to read it. This is a situation where I actually enjoyed the movie more than the book. It's not a bad book, I just liked the movie more. The movie actually follows the book a lot, but there are many things it changes as well. Many were for the better. Overall, enjoyable.
March 4, 2017
This is the novel the movie, Drive Me Crazy (with Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier) was based on. Our main character takes her childhood friend and tries to turn him into a popular guy so he can be her prom date. It was good, definitely a novel for teens. But I can't help but think that the movie was better.
Read
August 6, 2008This book was actually humorous. When a girl needs a date for the prom she manages to turn her good friend, next door neighbor, into a passable prom date. This was made into the movie Drive Me Crazy.
March 14, 2009
THis book wasn't too bad, but it had way too many turns and some stuff that made me wonder...such as boys getting super drunk at parties, drug use, talking about making out though nothing in detail, and that kind of stuff... a little bit of swearing. I don't think I would reccomend this book.
September 19, 2011
El libro no es que sea malo... es que es... no tengo palabras para lo que es. He leído peores, eso sí. Pero este libro no tiene una cabeza ni un punto final ni nada de nada de nada. No me causa ningún ruido porque me acerqué sin esperar nada y recibí nada a cambio. Yeii.
May 8, 2009
Nicole finds that the perfect prom is not the end all in life.
Chase rebels against any norm, until Nicole talks him into going to the prom with her.
Meanwhile, their parents fall in love.
Chase rebels against any norm, until Nicole talks him into going to the prom with her.
Meanwhile, their parents fall in love.
August 22, 2009
This was the book that inspired the oh-so-classic teen movie "Drive Me Crazy." It was a lot different from the movie and awesome.
June 18, 2010
Have you ever watched 'Drive me crazy' with Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier? Well this is the book that it was based off of. It's really a cute book, cliche but who doesn't like them?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews