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Crunch Time
Leo, Max, Jane, and Daisy don't have much in common. But when they all blow off their SAT prep in favor of forming their own study group, they actually begin to bond -- over why there's so much competition over a stupid test. And what it really measures, anyway.
Then it's revealed that someone has cheated on the SATs, and all eyes point to the study group. Everyone knows that Leo can't stand to lose. That Max is convinced he's a loser. That Jane couldn't care less about the whole thing. And that if Daisy doesn't clinch the right score, forget it -- she can't afford to go to college.
Then it's revealed that someone has cheated on the SATs, and all eyes point to the study group. Everyone knows that Leo can't stand to lose. That Max is convinced he's a loser. That Jane couldn't care less about the whole thing. And that if Daisy doesn't clinch the right score, forget it -- she can't afford to go to college.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published December 20, 2005
16 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Fredericks
26 books682 followersMariah Fredericks was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in history. She is the author of the Jane Prescott mystery series as well as The Lindbergh Nanny, which Nelson DeMille called, "a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining." The Wharton Plot, was named one of the best mysteries of 2024 by Library Journal. "An Edith Wharton scholar could read Ms. Frederick’s novel with profit and amusement."—Wall Street Journal. Her next novel, The Girl in the Green Dress, featuring Zelda Fitzgerald and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, is out September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 21, 2009
Four students band together to form an SAT study group. The beautiful, outspoken Daisy needs to do well on her SATs in order to get scholarships, but she thinks the whole system is geared toward rich bastards. Leo IS the rich, popular bastard with apathetic parents, but Leo himself is serious about getting into Yale. Max, Daisy's best friend, thinks he's a loser and won't do well enough anyway to please his dad. And Jane, the daughter of a famous actress, can hardly believe that she finally has three people over her house almost every week.
In between studying and doing practice tests, however, sparks fly and drama occurs. Almost against their will, Leo and Daisy fall in love--while a lovestruck Max watches forlornly from the side as Daisy falls in love with what appears to be yet another jerk. Jane's got some mental thing going on, thinking that her stepfather is a skeevy guy who likes to check her out.
Then the word is out: someone has cheated on the SATs. Everyone is a suspect, especially Daisy and Leo. Will the four friends' relationships survive the suspicion and accusations? And who really cheated on the SATs?
CRUNCH TIME is unique because of its rapid change of narration between the four characters, but otherwise I found the plot often too bogged down. The characters aren't that lovable either at times.
In between studying and doing practice tests, however, sparks fly and drama occurs. Almost against their will, Leo and Daisy fall in love--while a lovestruck Max watches forlornly from the side as Daisy falls in love with what appears to be yet another jerk. Jane's got some mental thing going on, thinking that her stepfather is a skeevy guy who likes to check her out.
Then the word is out: someone has cheated on the SATs. Everyone is a suspect, especially Daisy and Leo. Will the four friends' relationships survive the suspicion and accusations? And who really cheated on the SATs?
CRUNCH TIME is unique because of its rapid change of narration between the four characters, but otherwise I found the plot often too bogged down. The characters aren't that lovable either at times.
May 10, 2018
This is one of those stories where you get pretty much what you expect.
At the start were introduced to the main characters and see that nearly all have a reason to self-justify cheating in the SATs. We then have the build up to the test and see the shifting relationships. Following this we have the fall-out of cheating and what comes next.
The character were quite stock types. Nobody really changed or developed in a meaningful way. There was the potential to really explore the concept of pressure or ethics behind the issue but this didn’t come close.
It was, to use a word that probably wouldn’t feature on the paper, bog-standard.
At the start were introduced to the main characters and see that nearly all have a reason to self-justify cheating in the SATs. We then have the build up to the test and see the shifting relationships. Following this we have the fall-out of cheating and what comes next.
The character were quite stock types. Nobody really changed or developed in a meaningful way. There was the potential to really explore the concept of pressure or ethics behind the issue but this didn’t come close.
It was, to use a word that probably wouldn’t feature on the paper, bog-standard.
May 9, 2018
This was actually kind of a crazy read. I changed my mind so many times on who I thiught the cheater was, that by the time we actually found out, I was kind of surprised. . And then everything just kind of fell apart. The friendships and relationships all changed and it was kind of this intense shit show that I was not expecting to happen. This was enjoyable enough, but it had its fair share of slow koments
December 17, 2012
"Crunch Time" by Mariah Fredericks in my opinion is one of the best books she has written. This book is about four high schoolers with different reputations who are in their junior year and come together and create a "study" group to prepare for the SAT's. The SAT test is very important in their school and they have to do well on it. You have your average high school girl who is always trying to capture guys attention, Daisy Stubbs. Leo Thayer is the "hot, popular guy" the one who every girl dreams to go out with. Max(Daisy's best friend) is the "nerd in the group, he is obviously smart. Colleges are calling him and the best thing he is good at is getting good grades and appropriate test scores, but later on he becomes a jock. Lastly we have Jane Cotterell who has a superstar mom (Julia Cotterell) and has no friends. She hates publicity and doesn't neccessarily take the SAT's seriously. These four characters meet at Jane's house to study for the upcoming tests. Daisy aside from being obssessed with basketball; she needs to get good results from the test inorder for her to get financial aid for college. They all study hard so they can improve their test scores. The studying continues until the month of Mrach (when the SAT test is taken). This is the day that they have all been waiting for to finally take the test that could determine thier future college admission. The test has been taken, but later a senior at thier school confesses that she had been paid to take the test for one of the four main characters, the "study" group become suspicious to one-an-other. Would it be the "hot and popluar" guy that has no extra cirricular activities? Perhaps the basketball player Daisy? Maybe the rich girl with a famous mother? Or could it be the high school nerd Max? Find out and read the book to reveal the great suspense. You won't regret it!
Mariah does a great job in not "bunching" up all these events into one giant one. She goes into one event or situation at a time and doesn't go on until it the previous one is clarified. I personally liked how the book was written from each characters pint of view and not just one. I think reading books that have to do with your time peroid or generation are much more fun to read. Being a high schooler myself, I loved how when i read the book I could relate to many things that happen here at my very own high school. I would recommend this book to high school sophmores and up, just because usually students in there sophmore year are being introduced to SAT's and will have a better understandment of the book. Over all, on a scale of 1-10 I would rate this book a 9 !
- Go on and read this book. Happy Reading .
Mariah does a great job in not "bunching" up all these events into one giant one. She goes into one event or situation at a time and doesn't go on until it the previous one is clarified. I personally liked how the book was written from each characters pint of view and not just one. I think reading books that have to do with your time peroid or generation are much more fun to read. Being a high schooler myself, I loved how when i read the book I could relate to many things that happen here at my very own high school. I would recommend this book to high school sophmores and up, just because usually students in there sophmore year are being introduced to SAT's and will have a better understandment of the book. Over all, on a scale of 1-10 I would rate this book a 9 !
- Go on and read this book. Happy Reading .
May 24, 2009
It started out well. It really did.
Then as I went further along into the story, my enjoyment sagged to feeling nothing but frustration and dissatisfaction when I finally came to the end.
It starts out like this.
Four kids decided to form an unlikely group to study together for the SATs. Each one of them different in their thoughts and lives. Daisy. Jane. Leo. Max.
The whole book is narrated throughout by each of them.
Daisy: The blunt, tough girl. Passing the SATs is her only way of getting to college.
Jane: Daughter of a well-known actress. She tends to isolate herself from most after she finds out a friend was using her just because of her famous mother. She strives to belong to this group.
Max: Nerdy, homely. He is in love with his best friend, Daisy. Unrequited of course.
Leo: The smartass bad boy.
The problem with this novel is the utter characterization. Particularly of Leo and Daisy.
Leo is the typical jock guy, the bad boy all the girls want. Now I was fairly easy on him when he first came into the scene.
"He'll change," I thought flippantly, "He'll grow up and develop into a good person by the end of this novel."
Here's the thing: HE. NEVER. DOES.
Daisy herself starts out cool. Until, in a spur of a moment, ditches Max and Jane one evening, to go out on a date with Leo. Bitchy, no?
Jane and Max end up seeming too good to me for the likes of Daisy and Leo and really do seem to get the short end of the stick throughout the whole book.
Expect good character development and good plotting? You won't in this book!
Then as I went further along into the story, my enjoyment sagged to feeling nothing but frustration and dissatisfaction when I finally came to the end.
It starts out like this.
Four kids decided to form an unlikely group to study together for the SATs. Each one of them different in their thoughts and lives. Daisy. Jane. Leo. Max.
The whole book is narrated throughout by each of them.
Daisy: The blunt, tough girl. Passing the SATs is her only way of getting to college.
Jane: Daughter of a well-known actress. She tends to isolate herself from most after she finds out a friend was using her just because of her famous mother. She strives to belong to this group.
Max: Nerdy, homely. He is in love with his best friend, Daisy. Unrequited of course.
Leo: The smartass bad boy.
The problem with this novel is the utter characterization. Particularly of Leo and Daisy.
Leo is the typical jock guy, the bad boy all the girls want. Now I was fairly easy on him when he first came into the scene.
"He'll change," I thought flippantly, "He'll grow up and develop into a good person by the end of this novel."
Here's the thing: HE. NEVER. DOES.
Daisy herself starts out cool. Until, in a spur of a moment, ditches Max and Jane one evening, to go out on a date with Leo. Bitchy, no?
Jane and Max end up seeming too good to me for the likes of Daisy and Leo and really do seem to get the short end of the stick throughout the whole book.
Expect good character development and good plotting? You won't in this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2012
I liked the idea and was expecting the book to have a lot of questions about ethics...but the book was very disappinting. Just more teenage drama crap which in this case does not get solved and is mentioned through out the book. What is the lesson? I see the ethics but like a religion there are hardly any answers in this book only questions. I liked how the book was written in 5 different parts like the SAT itself. I liked how the author write the book in different characters' point of views and was amazed how distinguished each of their thoughts were and just speechless that it was written by the same author.
January 25, 2016
I believe that this book was a great book it's about a group of seniors that become friends and they start to learn secrets about each other that may have changed their friendship, they change each others lives in ways that u could never imagine. My favorite part is when Daisy storms out of one of their meetings and Max runs after her and tries to support her. Oh, and on the back of the book there is a question, now before you read the book and try to answer that question and then at the and of the book you find out the answer and it's not what you would expect. i recommend this to girls or boys ages 12-up.
August 29, 2008
I started to read this book because my 11 year old son was reading it. And I'm nosy. In the first two chapters they talk about stealing alcohol from the family liquor cabinet, and losing their virginity. So I am really glad I read it. It is written in a simple style so young children can enjoy it - and it is written from four different characters points of view - which is interesting. But I think it is probably for a little older age kids.
May 17, 2013
I really did not like this book at all. The dialogue confused me and there wasn't enough description on the main characters which are Daisy, Leo, Jane, and Max. "Crunch Time" is about all four students taking the SAT and finding out who cheated on the test. I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone because it's not a great book.
October 28, 2013
I did not like this book. It was rather slow, confusing, and hard to follow. It was about four high school students taking their SAT's and how challenging SAT's could be. After the test it was a mystery to see who cheated. I thought the plot was uninteresting and flat. I would not recommend this book to anyone who likes action in their books.
March 4, 2020
i have a vague memory of loving this in middle school and i was pleased to find out that it still holds up... really tight, solid writing and VERY compelling characters. i could definitely read a LOT more about these characters + i genuinely liked all four of them...
September 25, 2007
Its ok...good...awesome!
November 19, 2019
Who is the cheater? Crunch Time, by Mariah Fredericks takes place in Manhattan. It all begins when 4 students of a private high school ditch the SAT prep test. They go to Jane’s house, an Oscar Winner actress daughter. They start bonding about how ridiculous it is that a single test defines who you are and decides your future. But, because they can’t do anything about it, just deal with it, they decide to make a study group. The book has a 1st person narrator, in 4 voices. Leo, Daisy, Max, and Jane tell little parts of each chapter. Like that the reader can get to know the 4 characters, as well as their secrets.The story plot moves around the personal problems of each of them. Leo can’t stand losing, he considers his father a failure and wants to be nothing like him. He puts himself under a lot of pressure and doesn’t stand her stepmom. Daisy is always worried about the financial issues of college as her family’s economic situation isn’t the best. It is necessary she scores high enough on the SAT for a scholarship or else. She also has these weird socialist ideas for someone in a private high school in Manhattan. Max, poor Max, all the pressure his father puts him under. He just wants to go far away from home. And how pathetic is his crush on Daisy since they are best friends. Daisy would never see him as more than a friend right? That is pretty much answered when Daisy starts dating Leo. It is important to mention that Max doesn’t stands Leo. Then there is Jane. No one cares about Jane. Just about her famous mother. And what a creep is her stepdad; people say he watches her... naked.
Finally, it is the day of the SAT, everyone is nervous. And then, the scores arrive. You got in? And you didn’t? Oh, that is so bad. But what happens when there is a cheater? All fingers point the study group members, after all, they all have a reason to cheat. Mariah Fredericks creates mystery, suspense, and romance alongside so many unexpected plot twists between laughs. Crunch Time is different from most books. The reader can relate to all the 4 main characters. With a book based on bitter feelings, her story is addictive and so entertaining. A truly great book because of the plot, the characters, the feelings, and most importantly the mystery.
Finally, it is the day of the SAT, everyone is nervous. And then, the scores arrive. You got in? And you didn’t? Oh, that is so bad. But what happens when there is a cheater? All fingers point the study group members, after all, they all have a reason to cheat. Mariah Fredericks creates mystery, suspense, and romance alongside so many unexpected plot twists between laughs. Crunch Time is different from most books. The reader can relate to all the 4 main characters. With a book based on bitter feelings, her story is addictive and so entertaining. A truly great book because of the plot, the characters, the feelings, and most importantly the mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2017
A very interesting premise. The idea that someone has cheated on their SATs test and then it is looking at a specific group of friends. I have not really seen a book on this subject.
I have never had to write the SATs, so I can't really comment on the authenticity of the portrayal of the SATs, but I will say that it is on par with what I know from the movies and other tv shows.
I had 2 problems with this novel.
The first one, which is the biggest, is that I felt like the characters were very 2D. I did like that we got the novel from everyone's perspective, I thought that was a really cool thing to do. But, I just felt like there was nothing really dynamic about them. They seemed to me to be very simple. I felt as though their issues were described on a very surface level and nothing went deeper than that.
The second problem, which isn't really a problem, I just don't know how I feel, is about the way that the synopsis is. I understand that they tell you about the cheating scandal because it is one of the big draws to the novel. I'm just not sure if I like that it only happened with only about 1/4 of the book left.
I didn't find this book terrible, but I also didn't find it amazing. A very interesting and unique premise, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters.
I have never had to write the SATs, so I can't really comment on the authenticity of the portrayal of the SATs, but I will say that it is on par with what I know from the movies and other tv shows.
I had 2 problems with this novel.
The first one, which is the biggest, is that I felt like the characters were very 2D. I did like that we got the novel from everyone's perspective, I thought that was a really cool thing to do. But, I just felt like there was nothing really dynamic about them. They seemed to me to be very simple. I felt as though their issues were described on a very surface level and nothing went deeper than that.
The second problem, which isn't really a problem, I just don't know how I feel, is about the way that the synopsis is. I understand that they tell you about the cheating scandal because it is one of the big draws to the novel. I'm just not sure if I like that it only happened with only about 1/4 of the book left.
I didn't find this book terrible, but I also didn't find it amazing. A very interesting and unique premise, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters.
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April 16, 2018Crunch Time really shows the stress and problems teens go through while they are preparing for their future. This book gives you a pretty good aspect of what goes on in a teens head while preparing for the SATS. 4 teens blow off a SAT prep because they think it's a waste of time, creating their own study group. The study group brought together the group of teens who were very different from each other because they all agree the SAT is just a stupid test. They went through each others weaknesses and strengths and helped each other achieve their goals. Cheating gets involved and everybody blames the study group. Leo can't lose or mess up his achievements and reputation. Jane doesn't even care about the SATS, shes the one that walked out of the prep first. Daisy can't even go to college if she doesn't get a decent score on the SATS. And lastly, Max has fully convinced himself that he is a loser and has no friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2019
This book was an alright book for me. Here let me start with the summary. The book Crunch Time is about 4 kids who are all different emotions about their SAT. They all don't want to take it but some are a little too extreme. So, when the day comes the kids are bumped and mad. Then while everyone is settling in and the teacher is gone the kids run out. They all decide that they will make a study group for next year when they take the next SAT. They don't tell anyone that they didn't take the SAT.
This was an alright book but it was not very interesting because you always knew what was going to happen next. I would not recommend this book because of how boring it was. The only way I would recommend it was if you like short pages and boring non-interesting books.
This was an alright book but it was not very interesting because you always knew what was going to happen next. I would not recommend this book because of how boring it was. The only way I would recommend it was if you like short pages and boring non-interesting books.
January 19, 2018
"Crunch Time" was a good book. It shows the stress that many high schools have when dealing with the SATs and the pressure that is placed on them. This book follows the lives of four very different students who are all headed in many different directions. They met at SAT prep and decide to start their own group to study. Overtime they start to understand each other better. Somebody cheats on the SATs and this causes a rift within not only the group but also the school. I enjoyed this book as it deals with the struggles of high school students who feel pressured to be the smartest and get the best grades.
September 26, 2022
So lucky I managed to stumble across this book. This is a solid novel. It is deeply layered and well paced, and the characterization is so realistic and heartfelt. I feel like I know these kids in real life. the plot is compelling and engaging, and I could not put this down. Not sure why this book isn't more popular. Great dissection of how competitive and stressful the college prep scene is in wealthy, high status new york neighborhoods.
January 23, 2019
I personally find the word to describe this book as "rough". The characters are stagnant and stereotypical, and have little to engage or draw in the reader. Which is something better than the plot within the pages. I would recommend not reading this book due to it's weak plot and limited characterization beyond "rich" or "pressured".
July 26, 2017
Several themes I did not care for but overall, these four people struggle with the upcoming SAT testing and form a group. Also, the cheater is definitely going to shock you once you know who it is. >.<
August 22, 2019
I couldn’t say I didn’t like the book. However, there were some parts which should have been expanded.
Also, since I live in Lithuania whole thing with SAT isn’t very relatable to me.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad book for a long bus ride in Mexico!
Also, since I live in Lithuania whole thing with SAT isn’t very relatable to me.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad book for a long bus ride in Mexico!
April 10, 2020
Found this at a library book sale. Thought this would be a good time to read it, as I’m studying for a major licensing exam...forgot how stressed people get over the SAT—it didn’t relieve stress! But it was kind of like the Breakfast Club... I liked it!
December 18, 2018
I remember reading this in 8th grade. It took me 3 times to finally finish it. I moderately enjoyed the book once I actually got through it.
July 11, 2018
Held mt interest but was slightly predictable, 2.75-3 for me.
May 19, 2020
The story was a little boring but still not bad.
February 28, 2021
All you need to know about the SATs is in this book. Just kidding. Or am I?
April 3, 2019
I read this in one sitting, really quickly, so maybe I just didn't have time to get connected to the characters. Maybe that's way the book feels kinda forgettable. Crunch Time was good, I enjoyed it, but it was kinda slow and a little boring. It feels like a lot of stuff could have been cut out and the book still would make sense and feel the same. I did really like ending.
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September 21, 2008Larissa Aunet
9-30-08
8-3
Post to Goodreads
If you have a good grade average all through high school, you take a SATs quiz in the last semester of high school to determine what colleges will most likely accept you as a student. The tests are taken very seriously and no one would ever imagine cheating on the quiz except for in a joke. All except one person who wants to impress their mom, to show her mom that she can be better than what she thinks. This girl is Jane, a girl trying to lead a normal life even though her mom is an international actress.
In high school, let alone middle school, there are roughly 100 different cliques. All of the cliques include at least one person who has the smarts to get into a major college. In the book “Crunch Time”, by Mariah Federicks, the main characters are four of the high school students that are going through the SATs tests. There’s Jane, the superstar cheater. You would think that maybe someone who is famous would appreciate getting attention. Jane is the complete opposite. She hates that whenever she goes out even to go grocery shopping, people always scream at her, “HEY! Aren’t you Julie Cortell’s daughter!”. She likes to go to school where most people don’t really notice her as a superstar, just a normal girl.
Then there’s Max, the major nerd of high school. But at the same time, he can tough it out and become the high school jock. He has the chance to go to some of the biggest colleges where they teach only the smartest students. Just like any other boy in high school, he has a crush on a high school girl. Her name is Daisy.
Daisy is the average high school girl that you would find at any school. The kind of girl that tries to impress every high school boy, that’s how you describe Daisy. Even though she has made bad choices of boyfriends in the past, she makes good choices on the SATs quiz. And she’s pretty sure she’s making the right choice by going out with Leo.
Leo. You would describe Leo as the high school jock that has gone out with everyone in the school. He’s the dream guy of the school. This includes the best football player, the best guy that knows what to say and when to say it.
This book is full of adventure, romance, and drama that most teens deal with these days. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of eleven.
9-30-08
8-3
Post to Goodreads
If you have a good grade average all through high school, you take a SATs quiz in the last semester of high school to determine what colleges will most likely accept you as a student. The tests are taken very seriously and no one would ever imagine cheating on the quiz except for in a joke. All except one person who wants to impress their mom, to show her mom that she can be better than what she thinks. This girl is Jane, a girl trying to lead a normal life even though her mom is an international actress.
In high school, let alone middle school, there are roughly 100 different cliques. All of the cliques include at least one person who has the smarts to get into a major college. In the book “Crunch Time”, by Mariah Federicks, the main characters are four of the high school students that are going through the SATs tests. There’s Jane, the superstar cheater. You would think that maybe someone who is famous would appreciate getting attention. Jane is the complete opposite. She hates that whenever she goes out even to go grocery shopping, people always scream at her, “HEY! Aren’t you Julie Cortell’s daughter!”. She likes to go to school where most people don’t really notice her as a superstar, just a normal girl.
Then there’s Max, the major nerd of high school. But at the same time, he can tough it out and become the high school jock. He has the chance to go to some of the biggest colleges where they teach only the smartest students. Just like any other boy in high school, he has a crush on a high school girl. Her name is Daisy.
Daisy is the average high school girl that you would find at any school. The kind of girl that tries to impress every high school boy, that’s how you describe Daisy. Even though she has made bad choices of boyfriends in the past, she makes good choices on the SATs quiz. And she’s pretty sure she’s making the right choice by going out with Leo.
Leo. You would describe Leo as the high school jock that has gone out with everyone in the school. He’s the dream guy of the school. This includes the best football player, the best guy that knows what to say and when to say it.
This book is full of adventure, romance, and drama that most teens deal with these days. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of eleven.
July 21, 2010
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
"Max grins. 'We should have numbers on our butts.' He turns to Daisy. 'Hi, I'm a two thousand. Nice to meet you.'
In a haughty accent she says, 'Sorry, I only date twenty-one hundreds and above....'"
To be honest, I've never cared for any standardized tests. Not the MCA, not the ACT, so obviously not the SAT. (Yes, I have not even taken the ACT, and I will pass them, it's just that I never get the whole reason why people freak about it.)
When I moved to US on August 2007, it was a bit weird (to me anyway). They (the school) insisted on me using Number 2 pencils, and I had to use the wooden pencils (I only use mechanical ones or pens back in Indonesia). So when I saw this cover, it grabbed my attention at once.
Daisy and Max are best friends--Daisy is poor and well (let's face it) her grades are just average. She plays basketball good, though. Max, on the other hand, is smart though geeky.
They both came for the SAT prep class, and found Leo Thayer and Jane Cotterell from the same school.
Leo Thayer is one of the BP--Beautiful People--and he knows it. Worse, he always hits on freshmen girls and well, break their hearts. In short, of course, a jerk. Jane Cotterell is the daughter of Julia Cotterell, the movie star. Right, Jane is also the rich kid with the popular mom without any friends. The SAT Prep guy didn't show up, so Daisy (not caring about the test at all), walks out. Inviting anyone who'd come with.
Then the four of them started their own SAT prep group in Jane's house.
But then they figured out that someone cheated. Someone cheated the SAT.
Was it Daisy, the poor girl who needed the scholarship?
Leo, who wants the perfect score?
Max, who needs his father off his back?
Or Jane, so she doesn't ruin her mom's reputation?
What I love about the book: The characters--Mariah Fredericks showed us all 4 characters' minds, and each of them was great. It was funny--hilarious, actually--and smart. :D
What I dislike about the book: I didn't dislike anything! (I wonder why I haven't found any book that I have anything to point out that I dislike...?) This is one of my favorites!!!
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
"Max grins. 'We should have numbers on our butts.' He turns to Daisy. 'Hi, I'm a two thousand. Nice to meet you.'
In a haughty accent she says, 'Sorry, I only date twenty-one hundreds and above....'"
To be honest, I've never cared for any standardized tests. Not the MCA, not the ACT, so obviously not the SAT. (Yes, I have not even taken the ACT, and I will pass them, it's just that I never get the whole reason why people freak about it.)
When I moved to US on August 2007, it was a bit weird (to me anyway). They (the school) insisted on me using Number 2 pencils, and I had to use the wooden pencils (I only use mechanical ones or pens back in Indonesia). So when I saw this cover, it grabbed my attention at once.
Daisy and Max are best friends--Daisy is poor and well (let's face it) her grades are just average. She plays basketball good, though. Max, on the other hand, is smart though geeky.
They both came for the SAT prep class, and found Leo Thayer and Jane Cotterell from the same school.
Leo Thayer is one of the BP--Beautiful People--and he knows it. Worse, he always hits on freshmen girls and well, break their hearts. In short, of course, a jerk. Jane Cotterell is the daughter of Julia Cotterell, the movie star. Right, Jane is also the rich kid with the popular mom without any friends. The SAT Prep guy didn't show up, so Daisy (not caring about the test at all), walks out. Inviting anyone who'd come with.
Then the four of them started their own SAT prep group in Jane's house.
But then they figured out that someone cheated. Someone cheated the SAT.
Was it Daisy, the poor girl who needed the scholarship?
Leo, who wants the perfect score?
Max, who needs his father off his back?
Or Jane, so she doesn't ruin her mom's reputation?
What I love about the book: The characters--Mariah Fredericks showed us all 4 characters' minds, and each of them was great. It was funny--hilarious, actually--and smart. :D
What I dislike about the book: I didn't dislike anything! (I wonder why I haven't found any book that I have anything to point out that I dislike...?) This is one of my favorites!!!
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
October 6, 2010
The title of the book was called Crunch Time. It was wrote by Mariah Fredericks. And, the genre is realistic fiction, because it could happen in real life. It about four friends studying for the SAT’s. And everybody start getting crazy about whether or not they are going to pass. Then when it is over and everyone got some good grades on the score. Someone had cheated on the test. Now everybody is wondering who the cheater and if this is going to affect there test too. People are saying it is Daisy, Leo, or Max.
It shows how some people cheat in life to get it easy. Like how some people who steal stuff or how people try to hack money so they an get it. it is different, because it show how people don’t care and don’t really try. It is mostly in the present, like how it is really thing that we could do. Yes, because he use some o.k. imagery to show how things are. I usually can sense it with my eyes open. Like how he says the room is wide, with the smell of the new room smell.
Yeah, because they show them as people like us. Like kids who is in high school and are seeing what they going to be when they grow up. There are really four main characters. One of them is Max, who is shy and has a low self-esteem. He also has a crush on Daisy, but gets rejected. Then Daisy, who is open minded and loves to talk. She starts out hating Leo, but they soon enough go out. Leo is a cocky guy, who always want to be on top. Then Jane who is usually anti-social because that she has a movie star as a mom. But, once she knows them she starts to talk to some people. I don’t really like Leo, because of how he is. And, think Daisy is making a mistake of going out with him. But, she’ll find out. It don’t really change my attitude about this book. Because, it supposed to get the reader to have feelings of the book.
That it is not good to cheat to get what you desire. Daisy, when Jane tells her and they have a fight about it. Not really, because I don’t really cheat. Not really either, because it really tells me to know your friends well.
The book was good, not I’m going to read it again good but good. I like how they wrote and format it. This book really got me into the feel though. So this would be a good book for some people to read.
It shows how some people cheat in life to get it easy. Like how some people who steal stuff or how people try to hack money so they an get it. it is different, because it show how people don’t care and don’t really try. It is mostly in the present, like how it is really thing that we could do. Yes, because he use some o.k. imagery to show how things are. I usually can sense it with my eyes open. Like how he says the room is wide, with the smell of the new room smell.
Yeah, because they show them as people like us. Like kids who is in high school and are seeing what they going to be when they grow up. There are really four main characters. One of them is Max, who is shy and has a low self-esteem. He also has a crush on Daisy, but gets rejected. Then Daisy, who is open minded and loves to talk. She starts out hating Leo, but they soon enough go out. Leo is a cocky guy, who always want to be on top. Then Jane who is usually anti-social because that she has a movie star as a mom. But, once she knows them she starts to talk to some people. I don’t really like Leo, because of how he is. And, think Daisy is making a mistake of going out with him. But, she’ll find out. It don’t really change my attitude about this book. Because, it supposed to get the reader to have feelings of the book.
That it is not good to cheat to get what you desire. Daisy, when Jane tells her and they have a fight about it. Not really, because I don’t really cheat. Not really either, because it really tells me to know your friends well.
The book was good, not I’m going to read it again good but good. I like how they wrote and format it. This book really got me into the feel though. So this would be a good book for some people to read.
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