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Fat Hoochie Prom Queen
What does it take to be the queen?
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their be named prom queen and the other backs off -- for good.
Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.
Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit.
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their be named prom queen and the other backs off -- for good.
Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.
Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit.
290 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 1, 2012
WARNING: If you are an adult who over-shelters their kids with the assumption that what they don't know won't hurt them, then this is SO not the book to give to your children.
For the rest of us who can take the adventures and misadventures of a bootylicious teen with the kind of self-esteem that would make any runway model drool with envy (along with the smell of Krispy Kremes), then this book is definitely right up your alley.
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is big, bouncy and oh-so fabulous. She doesn't just love herself, but she LOOOOVES herself. She isn't one to shy away from the spotlight, dressing to the nines in her older sister's outre designs and everyone at her high school adores her--from her very gay best friend Lucas, to hot good ol' boy Ronnie. The only fly in the ointment is ex-best friend and queen bee Bridget Benson.
A heated and drunken party confrontation between these two rivals sets off a comedy of ill-manners and a road trip featuring a Janet Jackson dancing drag queen, art students, water-skiiing on land and a life-changing secret that could tip the balance of prom queendom in Madge's favor.
Fat Hoochie Prom Queen is delightfully irreverent and cheerfully skewers the idea of goody-goody teens. Yes Virginia, there is drinking, swearing, drug use and sexual situations, but that's not what this refreshingly different novel is all about. What I loved is the heroine, Madge, isn't playing to stereotype. She isn't poverty-stricken or comes from the barrio, surrounded by gangs and/or crime. She's upper-middle class and it's nice to see characters of color in such a diverse setting. I hope more authors are listening and moreover, writing them that way. In the end, it's also about friendship, learning what's really important in life, and staying true to oneself regardless of what you look like.
I so wish I had as cool and kick-ass a friend as Her Madge-esty!
For the rest of us who can take the adventures and misadventures of a bootylicious teen with the kind of self-esteem that would make any runway model drool with envy (along with the smell of Krispy Kremes), then this book is definitely right up your alley.
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is big, bouncy and oh-so fabulous. She doesn't just love herself, but she LOOOOVES herself. She isn't one to shy away from the spotlight, dressing to the nines in her older sister's outre designs and everyone at her high school adores her--from her very gay best friend Lucas, to hot good ol' boy Ronnie. The only fly in the ointment is ex-best friend and queen bee Bridget Benson.
A heated and drunken party confrontation between these two rivals sets off a comedy of ill-manners and a road trip featuring a Janet Jackson dancing drag queen, art students, water-skiiing on land and a life-changing secret that could tip the balance of prom queendom in Madge's favor.
Fat Hoochie Prom Queen is delightfully irreverent and cheerfully skewers the idea of goody-goody teens. Yes Virginia, there is drinking, swearing, drug use and sexual situations, but that's not what this refreshingly different novel is all about. What I loved is the heroine, Madge, isn't playing to stereotype. She isn't poverty-stricken or comes from the barrio, surrounded by gangs and/or crime. She's upper-middle class and it's nice to see characters of color in such a diverse setting. I hope more authors are listening and moreover, writing them that way. In the end, it's also about friendship, learning what's really important in life, and staying true to oneself regardless of what you look like.
I so wish I had as cool and kick-ass a friend as Her Madge-esty!
April 16, 2017
I was digging through a huge heap of books in the secondhand bookshop when I spotted this one. Why did it catch my eye? Well, because apart from its brightly-colored cover, the title was totally familiar. Fat Hoochie Prom Queen was one of the books referenced in Dash and Lily's Book of Dares and at that time, I thought the title was just made up. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be real! I gasped out loud when I saw this and did not let it go ever since.
The Gospel According to Goodreads
"What does it take to be the queen?
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their rivalry: be named prom queen and the other backs off — for good.
Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.
Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit."
I really thought this was just another shallow teen novel. I was not really expecting much from it apart from the fact that I need to own it if only so I can bring up the title joke anytime. But whoah, after a few clumsy attempts to connect with it at first, I was sucked in by the raging fabulosity that is Fat Hoochie Prom Queen!
The characters' voices stand out and sound very real that they jump right out at you. It was almost like they were there with you the whole time, doing everything they did in the story and you were part of of the story. Even Bridget Benson, the main antagonist, sounded very believable and human (reading about her, I can't help picturing Miley Cyrus as her). Every character had a flaw but also had a lot of strengths. Madge was big and proud of that fact. She owned her body shape and used it to her advantage. She's big, beautiful, and also had a big heart. Lucas, her best friend, was as gay as gay could be and a really great friend to her. They enjoyed the last of their high school year to the hilt and may I just say, their partying was almost at par with a lot of college parties I've known. They took almost everything to the extreme, and some were a touch unrealistic but the author has written such an in-your-face story that it might even convince you that a cat is actually a dog that can't bark.
As for the writing, it's nothing like a high-end literary piece (what was that?), the story is very easy, light, and predictable - there's nothing new in the concept and after a few chapters I've guessed a bit of the ending. The momentum in the beginning was almost frustratingly slow and I could not connect with it immediately - though when I finally did it blew me away - but it totally hits the spot. I do believe that it's up there with the best in teenage novels about prom queens and fat, foxy young women. There were a lot of parts that I thought was taken to the extreme, but it only added to the excitement of reading this book - some parts you know does not happen much in real life, but it thrills you to know that it MAY happen.
With regard to the ending though, I wished it had a better twist. There was an interesting premise for what happens to the ending but sadly, it did not follow through. And I also felt that it was a bit rushed - but it was still worth it. Maybe the author thought that if he explored some of the twists further that it would not be too enjoyable for the readers because it would suddenly turn heavy and melodramatic. Speaking of drama, this book did not just have it, this book was written because of it! When you put up a story about a big hot girl, her gay best friend, and prom, you can never have too much drama.
Overall, for an entertaining book about friendship, partying, being fat and sexy at the same time, and of course the race for prom queen, grab a copy of this book. Nico Medina is now one of my new favorite authors and I can't wait to read other books he has written.
The Gospel According to Goodreads
"What does it take to be the queen?
Margarita "Madge" Diaz is fat, foxy, and fabulous. She loves herself, and is adored by almost everyone else...except queen bee/student-body president Bridget Benson. These two girls have a history that's uglier than a drag queen after last call. During a heated argument, they decide there's only one way to end their rivalry: be named prom queen and the other backs off — for good.
Of course, everything looks different in the sober light of morning, but pride is at stake and the race is on. Madge is committed to doing whatever it takes to secure the title, but so is Bridget. And everyone's got something to hide.
Welcome to Winter Park High School, where the dirt's not just gonna fly...it's gonna go into freakin' orbit."
I really thought this was just another shallow teen novel. I was not really expecting much from it apart from the fact that I need to own it if only so I can bring up the title joke anytime. But whoah, after a few clumsy attempts to connect with it at first, I was sucked in by the raging fabulosity that is Fat Hoochie Prom Queen!
The characters' voices stand out and sound very real that they jump right out at you. It was almost like they were there with you the whole time, doing everything they did in the story and you were part of of the story. Even Bridget Benson, the main antagonist, sounded very believable and human (reading about her, I can't help picturing Miley Cyrus as her). Every character had a flaw but also had a lot of strengths. Madge was big and proud of that fact. She owned her body shape and used it to her advantage. She's big, beautiful, and also had a big heart. Lucas, her best friend, was as gay as gay could be and a really great friend to her. They enjoyed the last of their high school year to the hilt and may I just say, their partying was almost at par with a lot of college parties I've known. They took almost everything to the extreme, and some were a touch unrealistic but the author has written such an in-your-face story that it might even convince you that a cat is actually a dog that can't bark.
As for the writing, it's nothing like a high-end literary piece (what was that?), the story is very easy, light, and predictable - there's nothing new in the concept and after a few chapters I've guessed a bit of the ending. The momentum in the beginning was almost frustratingly slow and I could not connect with it immediately - though when I finally did it blew me away - but it totally hits the spot. I do believe that it's up there with the best in teenage novels about prom queens and fat, foxy young women. There were a lot of parts that I thought was taken to the extreme, but it only added to the excitement of reading this book - some parts you know does not happen much in real life, but it thrills you to know that it MAY happen.
With regard to the ending though, I wished it had a better twist. There was an interesting premise for what happens to the ending but sadly, it did not follow through. And I also felt that it was a bit rushed - but it was still worth it. Maybe the author thought that if he explored some of the twists further that it would not be too enjoyable for the readers because it would suddenly turn heavy and melodramatic. Speaking of drama, this book did not just have it, this book was written because of it! When you put up a story about a big hot girl, her gay best friend, and prom, you can never have too much drama.
Overall, for an entertaining book about friendship, partying, being fat and sexy at the same time, and of course the race for prom queen, grab a copy of this book. Nico Medina is now one of my new favorite authors and I can't wait to read other books he has written.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com
Margarita Antonia Diaz is a big, beautiful, and proud Latina woman. Okay, she's still in high school, so maybe not a woman, but definitely more than a girl. Either way, this is Margarita's senior year, and everything is perfect! She has Lucas, her fabulously gay best friend; she has amazing clothes, thanks to her talented designer of an older sister; the cute boy seems to be noticing her; and really, no one can help but love Margarita.
Except maybe Bridget Benson. Bridget and Margarita were best friends when they were little kids. Both were child actors and Bridget got a part that Margarita wanted. They've hardly spoken since. Not that Margarita didn't try, but it's been a long time, and the hurt has turned into anger. Somehow, during a huge confrontation at a party, Bridget and Margarita end up daring each other to compete for Prom Queen. Suddenly senior year is looking much more dramatic.
Margarita gets sucked into competing for popularity, and more than loses her perspective. In fact, she's beginning to think she's losing herself. Though not in poundage, despite her mother's best efforts to irritate and prod and serve the blandest, most boring food ever! When her dad gets sick unexpectedly, Margarita's great year has officially collapsed. What else can go wrong? Sometimes it's better not to ask, but Margarita has way too much personality to not pull through, right?
I love Margarita! I want to hang out with her every day. She feels like a real person from the first paragraph. She has such a unique, strong, hilarious voice and point of view. I felt like I was listening to her talk, not reading a story.
I love this book! It is honest, and sweet, and evil, and hilarious! This is real high school, with drunken parties, swearing, gayness, cattiness, pettiness, crushes, frustration, and serious attitude. And, really, how can you not love the title?
I fully intend to go out and buy any other book I can find by Nico Medina. If you don't want to go that far, you should at least read this one. It's way too much fun to miss!
Margarita Antonia Diaz is a big, beautiful, and proud Latina woman. Okay, she's still in high school, so maybe not a woman, but definitely more than a girl. Either way, this is Margarita's senior year, and everything is perfect! She has Lucas, her fabulously gay best friend; she has amazing clothes, thanks to her talented designer of an older sister; the cute boy seems to be noticing her; and really, no one can help but love Margarita.
Except maybe Bridget Benson. Bridget and Margarita were best friends when they were little kids. Both were child actors and Bridget got a part that Margarita wanted. They've hardly spoken since. Not that Margarita didn't try, but it's been a long time, and the hurt has turned into anger. Somehow, during a huge confrontation at a party, Bridget and Margarita end up daring each other to compete for Prom Queen. Suddenly senior year is looking much more dramatic.
Margarita gets sucked into competing for popularity, and more than loses her perspective. In fact, she's beginning to think she's losing herself. Though not in poundage, despite her mother's best efforts to irritate and prod and serve the blandest, most boring food ever! When her dad gets sick unexpectedly, Margarita's great year has officially collapsed. What else can go wrong? Sometimes it's better not to ask, but Margarita has way too much personality to not pull through, right?
I love Margarita! I want to hang out with her every day. She feels like a real person from the first paragraph. She has such a unique, strong, hilarious voice and point of view. I felt like I was listening to her talk, not reading a story.
I love this book! It is honest, and sweet, and evil, and hilarious! This is real high school, with drunken parties, swearing, gayness, cattiness, pettiness, crushes, frustration, and serious attitude. And, really, how can you not love the title?
I fully intend to go out and buy any other book I can find by Nico Medina. If you don't want to go that far, you should at least read this one. It's way too much fun to miss!
September 18, 2021
eponymous sentence:
p144: "Should this FAT HOOCHIE be my prom queen?"
Not as interesting as his previous book. The ending is a neat curveball, I'll give it that.
My copy has gross ocr issues where spacing became funky with italicized words. It was a little hard to read because of that, especially going in.
p144: "Should this FAT HOOCHIE be my prom queen?"
Not as interesting as his previous book. The ending is a neat curveball, I'll give it that.
My copy has gross ocr issues where spacing became funky with italicized words. It was a little hard to read because of that, especially going in.
December 15, 2008
This is the trashiest book I have read in as long as I can remember... and maybe the most size-positive. I have a really hard time slogging through trashy Clique-style books -- I couldn't even finish The Luxe -- but I kept reading this one because of moments like this:
- - - -
Oh my God, you should've been at that Halloween party where he puked on Laura's ex-boyfriend. That night was fucking epic. I'd gone in a pink zebra-print dress (which was so short and so tight that it made my ass and thighs hang out all over the place), those hooker heels that hurt like an eighteenth-birthday hangover, and a scraggly severe-bob wig, though it wasn't the perfect color, but who can keep up with hair anyway? Being Victoria Beckham's fat twin was hard work, but it was well worth it that night. [emphasis mine]
- - - -
That last line is one of the funniest things I've ever read... it's like a Weekly World News headline in its pacing (5,000-year-old mummy pregnant; Janitor admits "I'm the father"!). And the whole book reads like the preceding paragraph. The main characters are sober for maybe one page out of ten, and the plot hinges completely on drama rather than character development. They make ridiculously irresponsible choices (at one point, Madge gets wasted and stoned at a party, wanders off by herself in a city she doesn't know, and passes out in a football field with a box of Krispy Kremes). They have scads of money (crazy parties! convertible BMWs! And does any teen anywhere use a "car service" that much? At least it means that they never drink and drive.)
These characters aren't real, or complex, or thoughtful. It's kind of like the anti-Sarah Dessen. Madge is a faux queen with tons of money and fagtastic gay boy friends who live in penthouses (and whose mothers happily ply them with mini liquor bottles) but have no issues outside of being really spoiled. It's a fantasy land, with no negative consequences and unlimited resources.
BEWARE: SPOILERS AHEAD!
But it was hilarious. And it kept me reading just to see what unapologetically fat-positive thing the author would throw in next. We're not talking HAES-informed here: Madge eats shameless quantities of junk food, drinks like a fish, and wouldn't even consider going to the gym. In this, she's exactly like every other teen in the book. She's closer to Hassan in An Abundance of Katherines than any other character I can think of (except without Hassan's disappointingly self-hating speeches at the end of the book) and I know many size-pos activist folks would be horrified at her unhealthy behavior and reveling in junk food. But listen to this paragraph, right after Madge's explanation of how Bridget Benson, the teen starlet of the moment, went from BFF to enemy after getting a TV-show part that both girls (both of whom were child stars) wanted:
- - - -
And please: don't think she got the part because I'm fat and she's not and I'm an idiot for thinking I'd have a chance at a part that beyond-compare Bridget Benson got. Because for the record, I didn't start getting chubs till after the disastrous audition, when I quit acting and went to normal-kids' school. And before you go on making more assumptions, I didn't pork up because I was depressed or anything. Acting was hard. I wanted to have friends and a more normal existence. And the only reason I got fat is because, well... everyone on my dad's side started gaining weight when they were around my age.
- - - -
OMFG! Have you ever read that before? 'Cause I haven't. You know what she gets from her mom's side of the family? She's "telenovela-beautiful".
And that's it for the body processing, plus she's never objectified or symbolized. She's popular, shameless, confident, and glam. There's even one fascinating point when her prom queen rival uses Madge's dad's heart attack as a way to attack Madge, saying outright that she's too fat and therefore unfit to be prom queen. Madge is furious and decides to strike back. What an interesting choice for the author to have made: to put that statement out there as so low and so obviously outrageous that the reader has to dismiss it out of hand.
I can't believe it, but I think this beats out every other fat book I've read this year in terms of body-positivity, except Skim. I don't really know how many stars to rate it, since I can't say it holds up in terms of literary quality. But to give it a low rating takes away from my guilty enjoyment of it and author's genuinely novel accomplishment.
I kind of loved it?
- - - -
Oh my God, you should've been at that Halloween party where he puked on Laura's ex-boyfriend. That night was fucking epic. I'd gone in a pink zebra-print dress (which was so short and so tight that it made my ass and thighs hang out all over the place), those hooker heels that hurt like an eighteenth-birthday hangover, and a scraggly severe-bob wig, though it wasn't the perfect color, but who can keep up with hair anyway? Being Victoria Beckham's fat twin was hard work, but it was well worth it that night. [emphasis mine]
- - - -
That last line is one of the funniest things I've ever read... it's like a Weekly World News headline in its pacing (5,000-year-old mummy pregnant; Janitor admits "I'm the father"!). And the whole book reads like the preceding paragraph. The main characters are sober for maybe one page out of ten, and the plot hinges completely on drama rather than character development. They make ridiculously irresponsible choices (at one point, Madge gets wasted and stoned at a party, wanders off by herself in a city she doesn't know, and passes out in a football field with a box of Krispy Kremes). They have scads of money (crazy parties! convertible BMWs! And does any teen anywhere use a "car service" that much? At least it means that they never drink and drive.)
These characters aren't real, or complex, or thoughtful. It's kind of like the anti-Sarah Dessen. Madge is a faux queen with tons of money and fagtastic gay boy friends who live in penthouses (and whose mothers happily ply them with mini liquor bottles) but have no issues outside of being really spoiled. It's a fantasy land, with no negative consequences and unlimited resources.
BEWARE: SPOILERS AHEAD!
But it was hilarious. And it kept me reading just to see what unapologetically fat-positive thing the author would throw in next. We're not talking HAES-informed here: Madge eats shameless quantities of junk food, drinks like a fish, and wouldn't even consider going to the gym. In this, she's exactly like every other teen in the book. She's closer to Hassan in An Abundance of Katherines than any other character I can think of (except without Hassan's disappointingly self-hating speeches at the end of the book) and I know many size-pos activist folks would be horrified at her unhealthy behavior and reveling in junk food. But listen to this paragraph, right after Madge's explanation of how Bridget Benson, the teen starlet of the moment, went from BFF to enemy after getting a TV-show part that both girls (both of whom were child stars) wanted:
- - - -
And please: don't think she got the part because I'm fat and she's not and I'm an idiot for thinking I'd have a chance at a part that beyond-compare Bridget Benson got. Because for the record, I didn't start getting chubs till after the disastrous audition, when I quit acting and went to normal-kids' school. And before you go on making more assumptions, I didn't pork up because I was depressed or anything. Acting was hard. I wanted to have friends and a more normal existence. And the only reason I got fat is because, well... everyone on my dad's side started gaining weight when they were around my age.
- - - -
OMFG! Have you ever read that before? 'Cause I haven't. You know what she gets from her mom's side of the family? She's "telenovela-beautiful".
And that's it for the body processing, plus she's never objectified or symbolized. She's popular, shameless, confident, and glam. There's even one fascinating point when her prom queen rival uses Madge's dad's heart attack as a way to attack Madge, saying outright that she's too fat and therefore unfit to be prom queen. Madge is furious and decides to strike back. What an interesting choice for the author to have made: to put that statement out there as so low and so obviously outrageous that the reader has to dismiss it out of hand.
I can't believe it, but I think this beats out every other fat book I've read this year in terms of body-positivity, except Skim. I don't really know how many stars to rate it, since I can't say it holds up in terms of literary quality. But to give it a low rating takes away from my guilty enjoyment of it and author's genuinely novel accomplishment.
I kind of loved it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2012
I wanted to like this book, because its one of the few out there with a positive depiction of a fat female protagonist. But despite her admirable joie de vivre, Margarita/Marge just seemed so self-involved, so shallow, so lacking in insight, that I found her completely offputting. And I'm not usually Puritanical in my YA reading, but the constant and excessive drinking only increased my disenchantment. Top it all off with some truly ugly classism, and I'm left with a book whose craft I can admire, but whose story and characters leave me flat.
January 8, 2021
"The Straight Road to Kylie" is part 1 to this novel. I didn't know that going in, or I would've read that novel first. But still, it's easy enough to follow despite not having read part 1.
The author is a gay guy, which, I guess, keeps all the references to things being "gay" from getting offensive or dated. (Having said that, reading this novel in 2021 definitely makes a lot its content feel dated.)
I didn't like the protagonist, "Madge", but I liked most of the other stuff in this novel. I found the OTT splurging of money by really rich and spoilt kids a bit much, and the excessive drinking/drug-taking was off-putting, but the plot was fun and fast-moving.
5 Stars for the overall fun plot. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The author is a gay guy, which, I guess, keeps all the references to things being "gay" from getting offensive or dated. (Having said that, reading this novel in 2021 definitely makes a lot its content feel dated.)
I didn't like the protagonist, "Madge", but I liked most of the other stuff in this novel. I found the OTT splurging of money by really rich and spoilt kids a bit much, and the excessive drinking/drug-taking was off-putting, but the plot was fun and fast-moving.
5 Stars for the overall fun plot. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 22, 2019
It's very obvious this was published in 2008, because half of the vernacular in this book would not fly by today's standards. However, I did really enjoy this book. Madge was a fun character to read, and I wish I could have been that fabulous at 18. I loved how she owned her fatness, didn't excuse it, and worked it for her. I loved her friendship with Lucas, and I liked how at the end she realized just how unkind she was becoming. I love the slight twist at the end with prom queen. The drinking was a bit much, but I remember being that age and basically partying it up every chance I could when I was out with friends. All in all, this book was a fun read, and I enjoyed it for what it was.
December 20, 2022
I find books disgusting that portray high school as a constant drunken, drug-filled, promiscuous brawl. This was a terrible message to send to teens.
October 4, 2023
The weird extravagant vocabulary and slang made me want to vomit most of the time and it was hard to get through. The fat representation as a fat person was pretty good, though we could have skipped the stereotypical sassy spicy Latina as a Latina. The author is not a woman or fat or gay so I question the validity to some extent in my point of view.
May 5, 2009
3.5 Stars
If this book was a movie, I would watch the commercials and secretly think about how much I wanted to see it, but I would never admit it to anyone. I would wait for it to come out on a Premium Channel and watch it alone when no one was home. If anyone came in while said movie was on, I would dive across the bed/couch or whatever and change the channel before they knew what I was doing. I would probably wish I had the DVD to watch when I was in a bad mood, but be too afraid anyone would see it on my shelves.
That said, this was an entertaining if not intentionally cheesy book ala Mean Girls meets some other trendy teen flick I have pretended not to have seen a million times. Long story short, Margarita or Madge as she is known by her obligatory gay best friend Lucas lives in Winter Park Florida which is a suburb of Orlando. She is a confident and attractive overweight Latina girl who had been a child actress for Disney with her childhood best friend Brigit, until blonde Brigit got a role in a TV show Madge thought she had in the bag. While Madge insists she was not upset Brigit got the role, we learn through her actions in the story that she is not being truthful to herself on that matter. Aside from this, Brigit never returned any of Margarita's phone calls after this incident leading Madge to hate her former best friend for ditching her. When Brigit leaves homeschooling to attend Winter Park High School, her fame skyrockets her to Queen Bee status. While Madge is generally liked by the student body of her high school, Brigit and she share a mutual dislike. This carries over to a drunken argument at a party where the two insult each other and vow to defeat one another in the race for Prom Queen. While Brigit has funds and publicity on her side, Madge needs to figure out what she has to win.
In the midst of this, Lucas, her best friend has broken up with his first real boyfriend whom Madge adored. He subsequently hooks up with the schools super senior gay man-whore who is implied to be dirty and gross. While I enjoyed this book as a non serious fun read, I found Margarita annoying at times. She had a need to control everything around her including the choices her friends made. She also had a bad habit of lying to herself about important matters, though this was key to character development later on in the story. In spite of this the book was light, silly and as colorful as the cover suggests. I would have liked to see a little more "all out war" on Madge's side, because Brigit was a real bitch in the battle, but it all worked out well enough in the end. Almost too well in fact.
This book is what teen comedies are made of. Topical humor which may seem dated in 5-10 years, a high school popularity contest and wealthy attractive people. The end was delivered wrapped up in a colorful box with a neat little bow which was almost too predictable, but comfortably so.
Please note, also I made a point of turning the cover over whenever my boyfriend was in the area to hide the title of what I was reading.
If this book was a movie, I would watch the commercials and secretly think about how much I wanted to see it, but I would never admit it to anyone. I would wait for it to come out on a Premium Channel and watch it alone when no one was home. If anyone came in while said movie was on, I would dive across the bed/couch or whatever and change the channel before they knew what I was doing. I would probably wish I had the DVD to watch when I was in a bad mood, but be too afraid anyone would see it on my shelves.
That said, this was an entertaining if not intentionally cheesy book ala Mean Girls meets some other trendy teen flick I have pretended not to have seen a million times. Long story short, Margarita or Madge as she is known by her obligatory gay best friend Lucas lives in Winter Park Florida which is a suburb of Orlando. She is a confident and attractive overweight Latina girl who had been a child actress for Disney with her childhood best friend Brigit, until blonde Brigit got a role in a TV show Madge thought she had in the bag. While Madge insists she was not upset Brigit got the role, we learn through her actions in the story that she is not being truthful to herself on that matter. Aside from this, Brigit never returned any of Margarita's phone calls after this incident leading Madge to hate her former best friend for ditching her. When Brigit leaves homeschooling to attend Winter Park High School, her fame skyrockets her to Queen Bee status. While Madge is generally liked by the student body of her high school, Brigit and she share a mutual dislike. This carries over to a drunken argument at a party where the two insult each other and vow to defeat one another in the race for Prom Queen. While Brigit has funds and publicity on her side, Madge needs to figure out what she has to win.
In the midst of this, Lucas, her best friend has broken up with his first real boyfriend whom Madge adored. He subsequently hooks up with the schools super senior gay man-whore who is implied to be dirty and gross. While I enjoyed this book as a non serious fun read, I found Margarita annoying at times. She had a need to control everything around her including the choices her friends made. She also had a bad habit of lying to herself about important matters, though this was key to character development later on in the story. In spite of this the book was light, silly and as colorful as the cover suggests. I would have liked to see a little more "all out war" on Madge's side, because Brigit was a real bitch in the battle, but it all worked out well enough in the end. Almost too well in fact.
This book is what teen comedies are made of. Topical humor which may seem dated in 5-10 years, a high school popularity contest and wealthy attractive people. The end was delivered wrapped up in a colorful box with a neat little bow which was almost too predictable, but comfortably so.
Please note, also I made a point of turning the cover over whenever my boyfriend was in the area to hide the title of what I was reading.
June 5, 2011
More reviews at http://readerpants.blogspot.com.
Overall Rating: Neutral opinion; there are some high school girls (and probably even some guys) who would like this book. With lots of Central Florida geographic references, I can see it being especially popular in Florida high schools.
What I liked: The title rocks! It's why I picked up this book in the first place. The characters are likeable and real, to the point that Margarita reminds me of my long-lost high school friend Jessica. Margarita's confidence and positive self-image is truly refreshing. She loves herself and is honest about her weight and her brash personality. She is not perfect and does not always do the right thing, but she grows throughout the story and learns from her mistakes. She is fun and real, and many teens will relate to her. Margarita's gay best friend Lucas complements her character beautifully, and readers will like him easily. He is a little guardian angel on Margarita's shoulder, keeping her grounded and challenging her to think. He loves her and does everything he can to help ensure she lives life to the fullest. Who wouldn't want a friend like that?
I like the realistic portrayal of the gay community, which is not something included in many books for teens. Medina includes details of a drag show and the emotional side of homosexual relationships. When Margarita and Lucas get lost in the Florida boondocks, they half-joke about how homosexuals are not accepted outside the cities and could be victims of homophobic violence. Fat Hoochie Prom Queen gives teens, many of whom have never been exposed to it, a better view of the gay community, which may increase tolerance and understanding.
What I didn't like: Margarita drinks (a lot!) and does drugs and generally does not take care of herself at all. She eats really fatty foods and does not care a lick about her health. The story drags in parts; it took me several days to finish this relatively short book. I would like to have seen the romance between Margarita and Redneck Randy better developed.
Content
Language: high
Sexuality: medium; lots of talk of gay sex and being sexy, but nothing happens beyond an off-screen kiss.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: very high; characters party and drink excessively (to the point of passing out) and smoke marijuana
Overall Rating: Neutral opinion; there are some high school girls (and probably even some guys) who would like this book. With lots of Central Florida geographic references, I can see it being especially popular in Florida high schools.
What I liked: The title rocks! It's why I picked up this book in the first place. The characters are likeable and real, to the point that Margarita reminds me of my long-lost high school friend Jessica. Margarita's confidence and positive self-image is truly refreshing. She loves herself and is honest about her weight and her brash personality. She is not perfect and does not always do the right thing, but she grows throughout the story and learns from her mistakes. She is fun and real, and many teens will relate to her. Margarita's gay best friend Lucas complements her character beautifully, and readers will like him easily. He is a little guardian angel on Margarita's shoulder, keeping her grounded and challenging her to think. He loves her and does everything he can to help ensure she lives life to the fullest. Who wouldn't want a friend like that?
I like the realistic portrayal of the gay community, which is not something included in many books for teens. Medina includes details of a drag show and the emotional side of homosexual relationships. When Margarita and Lucas get lost in the Florida boondocks, they half-joke about how homosexuals are not accepted outside the cities and could be victims of homophobic violence. Fat Hoochie Prom Queen gives teens, many of whom have never been exposed to it, a better view of the gay community, which may increase tolerance and understanding.
What I didn't like: Margarita drinks (a lot!) and does drugs and generally does not take care of herself at all. She eats really fatty foods and does not care a lick about her health. The story drags in parts; it took me several days to finish this relatively short book. I would like to have seen the romance between Margarita and Redneck Randy better developed.
Content
Language: high
Sexuality: medium; lots of talk of gay sex and being sexy, but nothing happens beyond an off-screen kiss.
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: very high; characters party and drink excessively (to the point of passing out) and smoke marijuana
December 20, 2010
This book is about a highschool senior named Madge. She doesn't have a perfect figure but has a kind heart. She gets herself caught in a challenge between her ex-bestfriend into winning the prom queen title. Her ex-bestfriend, Bridget, was her childhood friend although along the line they stopped talking and became rivals. Madge and Bridget starts competing and tried winning people's votes. Until someone post an embarrassing picture of Madge, past out in a football field, in Bridget's website. Madge looks for revenge with her sidekick ,Lucas, and start following Bridget. They soon uncovered the ugly truth behind the perfect image Bridget holds.
This book is alright. I wouldn't say it was my favorite but it's not too bad. It has too much drama in it and I don't really like that. The ending is surprising. This book contains a hint of comedy and a handful of drama. It's perfect for people looking for those specific stuff.
This book is alright. I wouldn't say it was my favorite but it's not too bad. It has too much drama in it and I don't really like that. The ending is surprising. This book contains a hint of comedy and a handful of drama. It's perfect for people looking for those specific stuff.
December 5, 2008
Gotta admit - only read this book for the title. Maria, our YA librarian extraordinaire, ordered it for our branch. I helped unpack the books that day, and BOY, it sounded terrible. I mocked it in the workroom for a good ten minutes.
Well, after reading, it was truly terrible. But in a delicious, fairy princess sort of way. And who would've guessed that high schoolers could drink THAT much?!
My major problems? It ended too quickly, and I never quite understood the relationship between the two protagonists. Something didn't quite ring true about their interactions and the conclusion to the prom queen race. Did the author just give on writing during the final stretch? Oh, well. It was still entertaining.
Well, after reading, it was truly terrible. But in a delicious, fairy princess sort of way. And who would've guessed that high schoolers could drink THAT much?!
My major problems? It ended too quickly, and I never quite understood the relationship between the two protagonists. Something didn't quite ring true about their interactions and the conclusion to the prom queen race. Did the author just give on writing during the final stretch? Oh, well. It was still entertaining.
June 21, 2011
HILARIOUS! The narrator's voice was funny, different, and totally out-there. I loved all of her crazy expressions and the Spanish she mingled into her rants about life/love/dating, etc. Her best friend, who could easily have fallen into the "gay best guy friend" stereotype, was a rounded character of his own, with a personality, a love life, drama of his own... And I loved him for it. The love interest was great too, a real sweetheart. Even the dreaded enemy-running-for-prom-queen managed to avoid becoming the stereotypical hot blond. Turned out she had issues and emotions of her own!
I won't tell you about the ending, because obviously that would spoil, but it was perfect. Fun, uplifting, and it tied all the characters together. I love this book!
I won't tell you about the ending, because obviously that would spoil, but it was perfect. Fun, uplifting, and it tied all the characters together. I love this book!
January 27, 2011
After the thought provoking Atlas Shrugged, I needed something fun to clear out my brain. Fat Hoochie Prom Queen was a great choice. First, I can go wrong with a book titled Fat Hoochie Prom Queen. It's set in Florida and it got a bit boring reading the names of clothing designers I'll never be able to afford (yeah, I'm talking about you, Prada). But the book had a laugh out loud moment and any book that can provoke gut busting laughter is awesome. Plus I like a book with some sort of message.
February 13, 2013
Nico Medina's second book was a lot of fun, but I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first book. A large part of that was because I did not fall in love with Madge and Lucas the way I did with Jonathan and his friends. Madge started to grate on my nerves a bit by the end, and I couldn't decide how I felt about Lucas.
It was still a fun read, though, and I was so excited that Jonathan and Laura made an appearance.
I wish Nico had written more books, because these were perfect fluffy reads.
It was still a fun read, though, and I was so excited that Jonathan and Laura made an appearance.
I wish Nico had written more books, because these were perfect fluffy reads.
April 20, 2009
This amazing tale is about how a girl who is curvy and proud of it, and her interesting journey in her last year of high school. Her free spirt and party girl persona made her very popular although struggleing with wieght. This book taught me that what you think about yolujrself others will think too, you can choose how youj want to be seen by people, just sometimes we forget that everything we do, everyone we hang out with, and everything we say effects the way people think of us.
April 14, 2009
Gotta admit - only read this book for the title.
Well, after reading, it was truly terrible. But in a valley-girl, fairy-princess sort of way.
My major problems? It ended too quickly, and I never quite understood the relationship between the two protagonists. Something didn't quite ring true about their interactions and the conclusion to the prom queen race. Did the author just give on writing during the final stretch? Oh, well. It was still entertaining.
Well, after reading, it was truly terrible. But in a valley-girl, fairy-princess sort of way.
My major problems? It ended too quickly, and I never quite understood the relationship between the two protagonists. Something didn't quite ring true about their interactions and the conclusion to the prom queen race. Did the author just give on writing during the final stretch? Oh, well. It was still entertaining.
Read
March 12, 2011Recommended by Kathryn Nolfi in YA Fatphobia and seconded by Rebecca Rabinowitz.
I just couldn't get into this - nothing at all wrong with it, and I appreciated the fat-positivity, but the voice just wasn't my cup of tea, so I just skimmed the second half.
I just couldn't get into this - nothing at all wrong with it, and I appreciated the fat-positivity, but the voice just wasn't my cup of tea, so I just skimmed the second half.
April 27, 2013
Ok, so this book is way out of my normal genre of reading. Like WAY out-but a friend wanted me to read it. It was excellently written and the story was interesting, but again just not my cup of tea. This story is not for younger children...like 15 and up. There is drinking, drugs, and sex... all of these in abundance(even if they are not the main focus of the story). It was nice to experience something new.
July 13, 2010
Like many other people on here, I only picked up this book for the title.
It sounded crazy good, and I'm so into chick lit, it's not even funny so I thought, why not?
I really liked FHPQ because it was light hearted, but a good story at the same time.
I can tell why some people wouldn't dig it, but hey, whatever your tastes are, right? :]
It sounded crazy good, and I'm so into chick lit, it's not even funny so I thought, why not?
I really liked FHPQ because it was light hearted, but a good story at the same time.
I can tell why some people wouldn't dig it, but hey, whatever your tastes are, right? :]
July 10, 2015
Madge's personality is **fabulous**, but I would have liked to have seen more character depth. I didn't connect with any of the characters and I didn't really even care about the "plot". I mainly picked this book up because of the fat and sassy protagonist (now THAT I can identify with), and Medina delivered on that aspect. Entertaining quick read, but nothing more.
Read
March 16, 2009Nico Medina provided us with real characters, however there were some parts that weren't very appropriate for teenagers to read about - teenage drinking/smoking/drugs. But it was a good read. Very fast read at times!
July 17, 2009
Madge is an overweight, but happy with herself senior whose best friend is gay. In a drunken moment she challenges the gorgeous, TV star classmate to see who will be prom queen. The book was enjoyable and the ending was exactley right. It just took me forever to read it.
October 2, 2012
The ending was amazing.
Madge is just the sassiest ;
And Lucas is a major sweetheart.♥
And it did take place in Orlando. And referenced Ocala in this little jab at a hick/druggy town sort of way..Loved thatttt. c;
Madge is just the sassiest ;
And Lucas is a major sweetheart.♥
And it did take place in Orlando. And referenced Ocala in this little jab at a hick/druggy town sort of way..Loved thatttt. c;
March 6, 2010
Really funny and well written book. I can understand why FCPL doesn't own it though...
December 31, 2011
Loved it.
November 21, 2010
I read this book a few years ago and it was AMAZING! Madge is what the ultimate fellow fat girl, and Lucas is so cuh-ute!!! This is one of my favorite books ever!
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