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The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading
A YALSA 2012 Popular Paperback pick in the Get Your Geek On category!
When self-proclaimed geek girl Bethany Reynolds becomes the newest member of the varsity cheerleading squad, she realizes that there's one thing worse than blending into the getting noticed. Who knew cheerleading was so hard? Well, at least there's a manual, The Prairie Stone High Varsity Cheerleading Guide. Too bad it doesn't cover any of the really tough questions.
Bethany is going to need all her geek brainpower just to survive the season!
When self-proclaimed geek girl Bethany Reynolds becomes the newest member of the varsity cheerleading squad, she realizes that there's one thing worse than blending into the getting noticed. Who knew cheerleading was so hard? Well, at least there's a manual, The Prairie Stone High Varsity Cheerleading Guide. Too bad it doesn't cover any of the really tough questions.
Bethany is going to need all her geek brainpower just to survive the season!
326 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2009
18 people are currently reading
2466 people want to read
About the author
Charity Tahmaseb
63 books175 followersCharity Tahmaseb has slung corn on the cob for Green Giant and jumped out of airplanes (but not at the same time).
She spent twelve years as a Girl Scout and six in the Army; that she wore a green uniform for both may not be a coincidence. These days, she writes fiction full-time from her home in Minnesota.
She spent twelve years as a Girl Scout and six in the Army; that she wore a green uniform for both may not be a coincidence. These days, she writes fiction full-time from her home in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
July 9, 2009
Rating B
Review This book was a fun, quick read that I finished in a night. And thought about for the next day. Then I added the attributes of smart and a fresh twist on a currently-hot well-worked plot trope of mixing classes.
It's fun and quick because the dialogue is funny and sounds like teenagers living their actual lives, instead of sounding like adults writing how they think teenagers talk.
It's smart because it didn't fall into the expected trap (that I feared it might) where the geek girl, after dating and then being spurned by the cool guy, realizes that the geek guy who was her friend all along is really the man of her dreams. They actually write:
It took a fresh twist on the current plot device that's popping up everywhere (I actually found this book in a display of "Geek Girl" YA books at Barnes & Noble) by fusing their new work with a work of classic literature, Pride and Prejudice, as a motif throughout the book. The themes from that classic work of literature show up in this book as well, and influence these characters' thinking, validating Michael Chabon's quote, "All noves are sequels; influence is bliss." This isn't to say that their book is simply derivative, it's a blog-style pat on the back to say, "Kudos for honoring the great authors who have come before you and showing that their work can be accessible, even to the youth of today."
Recommendation This was a fun read and I recommend to people who have enjoyed books by authors such as Susane Colasanti (e.g., When It Happens), Josie Bloss (e.g., the Band Geek Series), Kieran Scott (e.g., Geek Magnet), or Elizabeth Scott (e.g., Perfect You).
Review This book was a fun, quick read that I finished in a night. And thought about for the next day. Then I added the attributes of smart and a fresh twist on a currently-hot well-worked plot trope of mixing classes.
It's fun and quick because the dialogue is funny and sounds like teenagers living their actual lives, instead of sounding like adults writing how they think teenagers talk.
It's smart because it didn't fall into the expected trap (that I feared it might) where the geek girl, after dating and then being spurned by the cool guy, realizes that the geek guy who was her friend all along is really the man of her dreams. They actually write:
"'You know those teen movies, the ones where there's a girl and these two guys, the jock and the dork?... The whole audience knows she's supposed to end up with the other guy,' he said. 'You know, the dork?' I gave the slightest of nods. 'Well, this isn't the movies... And I'm not that guy.'They bucked traditional teen lit stereotypes at this point and at a couple of other points as the story progresses further. Very smart.
'You're not that guy." (p. 232).
It took a fresh twist on the current plot device that's popping up everywhere (I actually found this book in a display of "Geek Girl" YA books at Barnes & Noble) by fusing their new work with a work of classic literature, Pride and Prejudice, as a motif throughout the book. The themes from that classic work of literature show up in this book as well, and influence these characters' thinking, validating Michael Chabon's quote, "All noves are sequels; influence is bliss." This isn't to say that their book is simply derivative, it's a blog-style pat on the back to say, "Kudos for honoring the great authors who have come before you and showing that their work can be accessible, even to the youth of today."
Recommendation This was a fun read and I recommend to people who have enjoyed books by authors such as Susane Colasanti (e.g., When It Happens), Josie Bloss (e.g., the Band Geek Series), Kieran Scott (e.g., Geek Magnet), or Elizabeth Scott (e.g., Perfect You).
April 4, 2011
I loved this book! i read it like atleast 10 times already and i still love it!. im hoping maybe theyll have sequal for it or atleast something close to it. fingers crossed. i thought bethany and jack made cute couple together. he was so cute. i also liked the fact that they havent said i love you like most of the books or made her populer cause she was a cheerleader either. it made the book more real by it. but in a way it made it more special. i thought the ring he gave her was a nice touch to it . made it seem more real by giving that to her instead of just saying words like i love you . im more an action kind of girl then words. to me actions speak loader then words ever do.
October 13, 2009
Couldn't get through this book. The plot - a geek tries out for her high school cheerleading squad and makes it, then tries to fit in - sounds cute, but it wasn't executed well at all. The conversations sounded forced and unreal; for example, the main character and her friends play a game where one of them quotes the first line of a movie and the others try to guess the title. A game like this is an amusing way to pass time, but to include this game in a book (especially near the beginning of a book!) as a conversation does nothing to further character or plot development and instead simply feels like filler material, which I'm sure it was. To me, it felt as if the authors had no idea how to craft an authentic-sounding conversation that makes sense to include in a book! The narration as well did not endear the characters to me, and I grew bored. Maybe the writing was going for cutesy (the beginning constantly quoted variations of, "It is a universally acknowledged truth that..." which got old fast), but it didn't appeal to me and I put the book aside. I wouldn't call the book the worst I've ever read, but it definitely wasn't good. "Blah" sums up my feelings well, I think.
July 3, 2009
Gimme an G! Gimme an E! Gimme an E! Gimme a K!
When Bethany's best friend Moni decides that the two of them should tryout for cheerleading, Bethany is less than thrilled. But this is the first thing Moni has been excited about since her parents' divorce so being the good friend that she is, Bethany tags along to tryouts. Nothing could have prepared Bethany (and Moni for that matter) for what making the cheerleading squad would do to their lives and their friendship.
When two girls who used to be scared to walk a certain hall (the guantlet) because of the "popular" kids become a part of the in-crowd, it affects more than just the pyramid formation. Soon Bethany is talking to the seemingly girl-proof Jack Paulson and Moni is flirting with wrestling team star Rick Mangers. But where does that leave their former geek friends, and do the boys like the girls for their minds...or their pom-poms?
In their debut novel about social status and high school relationships, Vance and Tahmaseb incorporate several relevant topics in a story that anyone whose ever been a teenager can appreciate. There is so much more to this novel than the back cover would have you believe. This isn't just a book about a girl who makes cheerleading and goes from geek to teen queen. While the stereotypical characters are present and accounted for (geeks, jocks, rich girls, etc.) the story itself is fun, fresh, unique, and realistic. Tahmaseb and Vance remind readers that sometimes there's more to the the school jock than meets the eye. In fact, my favorite thing about Jack was that he wasn't perfect.
Bethany learns about the politics of high school, relationships, and herself as she makes her way through The Prairie Stone High Varsity Cheerleading Guide. Readers will cheer Bethany on as she navigates the ups and downs of simulataneously being a geek and a cheerleader. Bethany's voice is sharp, witty, and sarcastic which readers of all ages will appreciate. Here are some of her shining moments:
"Once upon a time, back in the dark ages of childhood and middle school,
Chantal Simmons was someone I had told all my secrets to. In retrospect, that was kind of like arming a rogue nation with a nuclear bomb." (pg. 3)
"If Jack was saying what I thought he was saying, I might have to save that PB&J, enshrine it with my Dr. Pepper can, and treasure them both forever. "
(pg. 158)
The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading far surpassed my expectations. Some of the supporting characters were so intriguing and well-developed, I would like to see them tell their own stories. (Chantal, Todd, Brian, Jack specifically). With a slight Pride & Prejudice archetypal reading possible, this book would be a great independent novel for students.
When Bethany's best friend Moni decides that the two of them should tryout for cheerleading, Bethany is less than thrilled. But this is the first thing Moni has been excited about since her parents' divorce so being the good friend that she is, Bethany tags along to tryouts. Nothing could have prepared Bethany (and Moni for that matter) for what making the cheerleading squad would do to their lives and their friendship.
When two girls who used to be scared to walk a certain hall (the guantlet) because of the "popular" kids become a part of the in-crowd, it affects more than just the pyramid formation. Soon Bethany is talking to the seemingly girl-proof Jack Paulson and Moni is flirting with wrestling team star Rick Mangers. But where does that leave their former geek friends, and do the boys like the girls for their minds...or their pom-poms?
In their debut novel about social status and high school relationships, Vance and Tahmaseb incorporate several relevant topics in a story that anyone whose ever been a teenager can appreciate. There is so much more to this novel than the back cover would have you believe. This isn't just a book about a girl who makes cheerleading and goes from geek to teen queen. While the stereotypical characters are present and accounted for (geeks, jocks, rich girls, etc.) the story itself is fun, fresh, unique, and realistic. Tahmaseb and Vance remind readers that sometimes there's more to the the school jock than meets the eye. In fact, my favorite thing about Jack was that he wasn't perfect.
Bethany learns about the politics of high school, relationships, and herself as she makes her way through The Prairie Stone High Varsity Cheerleading Guide. Readers will cheer Bethany on as she navigates the ups and downs of simulataneously being a geek and a cheerleader. Bethany's voice is sharp, witty, and sarcastic which readers of all ages will appreciate. Here are some of her shining moments:
"Once upon a time, back in the dark ages of childhood and middle school,
Chantal Simmons was someone I had told all my secrets to. In retrospect, that was kind of like arming a rogue nation with a nuclear bomb." (pg. 3)
"If Jack was saying what I thought he was saying, I might have to save that PB&J, enshrine it with my Dr. Pepper can, and treasure them both forever. "
(pg. 158)
The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading far surpassed my expectations. Some of the supporting characters were so intriguing and well-developed, I would like to see them tell their own stories. (Chantal, Todd, Brian, Jack specifically). With a slight Pride & Prejudice archetypal reading possible, this book would be a great independent novel for students.
February 1, 2010
I tried. I really did. For 83 pages, I tried.
September 8, 2009
Was this that original? No. Was it predictable? Yes. Was it fun? Yes. So, this wasn't the most orignial story but it was still entertaining. Bethany is a good friend who goes along with her friend Moni to cheerleading tryouts. Both are stunned when they actually make it. Life doesn't get easier, actually it gets more complicated. I thought it was a fun read, Bethany was a likable character. I was surprised with all the Jane Austen refrences throughout the book, I think it made me like it a little more because of that. I did think Bethany was a little too understanding with certain people and I would have liked it if she stood up for herself a little more, or at least made certain characters work for it before she forgives them. It was missing some of the "romantic comedy" elements of a Janette Rallison novel, I would have enjoyed a bit more of that, but overall it was a nice clean read.
May 28, 2009
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Everyone knows there are hierarchies in high school, but what happens when you infiltrate one?
Bethany and her BFF, Moni, decide to try out for the cheerleading squad -mostly as a joke. When they actually make it, they're stunned, but no more so than their friends and family.
Cheerleading involves so many rules, but Bethany's questions aren't answered in the massive rule book. What happens when your best guy friend is mad that you've turned cheerleader? Why does the most popular guy in school start talking to you? Does he actually like you? When will the rest of the cheerleaders treat you as one of them?
Bethany and Moni are almost humiliated when they show up to cheer at a wrestling match and no one else for the team is there. Instead of giving up, the girls cheer through the match, though it's hard when you don't understand the rules of wrestling.
But that match just might have gotten them noticed by two super-hot guys. Now they're both dating boys, but also trying to navigate through the waters of high school without being attacked by a shark.
Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance team up to create a world where geeks mix with the popular crowd. While the characters bring up several social questions, the story is really just pure fun.
Everyone knows there are hierarchies in high school, but what happens when you infiltrate one?
Bethany and her BFF, Moni, decide to try out for the cheerleading squad -mostly as a joke. When they actually make it, they're stunned, but no more so than their friends and family.
Cheerleading involves so many rules, but Bethany's questions aren't answered in the massive rule book. What happens when your best guy friend is mad that you've turned cheerleader? Why does the most popular guy in school start talking to you? Does he actually like you? When will the rest of the cheerleaders treat you as one of them?
Bethany and Moni are almost humiliated when they show up to cheer at a wrestling match and no one else for the team is there. Instead of giving up, the girls cheer through the match, though it's hard when you don't understand the rules of wrestling.
But that match just might have gotten them noticed by two super-hot guys. Now they're both dating boys, but also trying to navigate through the waters of high school without being attacked by a shark.
Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance team up to create a world where geeks mix with the popular crowd. While the characters bring up several social questions, the story is really just pure fun.
June 29, 2009
The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading was an interesting melding of geek and popular. What would happen if a geek dared to become a cheerleader, how would the other cheerleaders act, and why would the geek want to join in the first place. I found the premise of the book very interesting.
Bethany was definitely my favorite character, I totally understood her. I always really enjoyed when she hung out with her geek crowd and their "Geek Nights", especially Todd the leader of the geeks.Moni was sort of the typical best friend sidekick and I was never really sure if I could completely trust nice guy jock Jack, well until the end that is. I liked that uncertainty.
I found myself perplexed as to where the story was going, in a way the story reminded me of this movie I had seen so I wondered, would it end that way or would it end the way I would expect it to. But I'm not going to tell you which way it ended, have to read the book for that! In the end what happened happened and I think the conclusion made sense and wasn't exactly what I was expecting (in a good way!) I guess I could have used a bit more of the geek mixed in with the popular/cheerleading aspects of the story but it will still a lot of fun!
Bethany was definitely my favorite character, I totally understood her. I always really enjoyed when she hung out with her geek crowd and their "Geek Nights", especially Todd the leader of the geeks.Moni was sort of the typical best friend sidekick and I was never really sure if I could completely trust nice guy jock Jack, well until the end that is. I liked that uncertainty.
I found myself perplexed as to where the story was going, in a way the story reminded me of this movie I had seen so I wondered, would it end that way or would it end the way I would expect it to. But I'm not going to tell you which way it ended, have to read the book for that! In the end what happened happened and I think the conclusion made sense and wasn't exactly what I was expecting (in a good way!) I guess I could have used a bit more of the geek mixed in with the popular/cheerleading aspects of the story but it will still a lot of fun!
September 6, 2016
Bethany classifies herself as a nerd. Then she becomes the newest member of the varsity cheerleading squad along with her best friend Moni. Now they're no longer invisible and get to experience the ups and downs of being noticed. Unfortunately this cheerleading business comes with a lot more drama. Bethany and Moni will go through many new things. Including but not limited to: Parties, Mean Girls, Cliques, Boys, Ignoring, Short Skirts and School Spirit!
This book was awesome and I really liked the main character Bethany. Her personality was fun and witty, in my opinion of course. (You decide.) I also liked her relationship with the jock, Jake. The moments they shared left me smiling like a fool. These things however can't help me forget the bad. Ughhhh. I won't go into any details since I haaaate spoilers, but let's just say certain characters left a sour taste in my mouth. This won't be enough to make the reader hate the book though. (I hope.) Bethany is really a forgiving soul to those certain annoying characters. Anyways, if you like chick-lit, high school drama, cheerleaders, and cute relationships, then you'll probably like this book. Surprisingly good for a book written by two authors.
This book was awesome and I really liked the main character Bethany. Her personality was fun and witty, in my opinion of course. (You decide.) I also liked her relationship with the jock, Jake. The moments they shared left me smiling like a fool. These things however can't help me forget the bad. Ughhhh. I won't go into any details since I haaaate spoilers, but let's just say certain characters left a sour taste in my mouth. This won't be enough to make the reader hate the book though. (I hope.) Bethany is really a forgiving soul to those certain annoying characters. Anyways, if you like chick-lit, high school drama, cheerleaders, and cute relationships, then you'll probably like this book. Surprisingly good for a book written by two authors.
November 24, 2010
I started reading this book as a filler; it was night and I was too chicken to read a zombie novel that I had already begun. It was supposed to just be a book that kept me entertained for a few hours until I started to fall asleep, but I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t want to put it down.
I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite. I typically avoid the cliché cheerleading/high school angst books because I was a lot like Bethany in high school but some of my closest friends were popular cheerleaders, so I found the whole “cheerleaders are evil” concept kind of stupid. But this book focuses more on how Bethany finds herself and her relationships changing when she and her equally geeky best friend join the cheerleading squad. It’s not a deep, thoughtful novel - for me, at least - but the authors did an awesome job at making lovable characters seem ignorant and vice versa.
There were times where I feared the novel might take a turn for the horrible, like an almost-love-triangle that involved a gorgeous, popular jock and a geeky friend of Bethany’s that would’ve had me closing the book immediately. But it’s not one of those predictable cheesy chick-lits. Quite the opposite actually; Jack Paulson was a complete mystery to me. Are his intentions good or is he a disgusting slime ball? I love a book that can keep me guessing!
Overall, The Geek Girl’s Guide To Cheerleading was a very entertaining book and I’m glad I picked it up. It’s a quick and light read, not meant to pull on heartstrings or emotions, but it’s cute enough to leave you in a good mood when you’re finished reading. I definitely recommend it for a rainy day!
I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite. I typically avoid the cliché cheerleading/high school angst books because I was a lot like Bethany in high school but some of my closest friends were popular cheerleaders, so I found the whole “cheerleaders are evil” concept kind of stupid. But this book focuses more on how Bethany finds herself and her relationships changing when she and her equally geeky best friend join the cheerleading squad. It’s not a deep, thoughtful novel - for me, at least - but the authors did an awesome job at making lovable characters seem ignorant and vice versa.
There were times where I feared the novel might take a turn for the horrible, like an almost-love-triangle that involved a gorgeous, popular jock and a geeky friend of Bethany’s that would’ve had me closing the book immediately. But it’s not one of those predictable cheesy chick-lits. Quite the opposite actually; Jack Paulson was a complete mystery to me. Are his intentions good or is he a disgusting slime ball? I love a book that can keep me guessing!
Overall, The Geek Girl’s Guide To Cheerleading was a very entertaining book and I’m glad I picked it up. It’s a quick and light read, not meant to pull on heartstrings or emotions, but it’s cute enough to leave you in a good mood when you’re finished reading. I definitely recommend it for a rainy day!
December 29, 2009
Bethany and Moni are best geek girl friends and when Moni's geek crush suddenly has an interest in cheerleaders, she decides they should try out for the team. As her best friend, Bethany goes along with it. Only, she never expected they'd make the team. Suddenly, Bethany's crush is talking to her - a jock who is more than what he seems and they start to become more popular. But when things go a bit sour, will Bethany and Moni be able to keep it together and will their friendship suffer in the end?
I really must say this wasn't a book I expected to love. Yeah, it looked cute - but it really just surprised me with the depth in the characters, the fantastic writing, and the great plot that moves you along until the book ends. I like how much is put into this book - issues of divorce and dealing with change. And it's sort of fun to see Bethany's parents trying to talk her out of cheerleading.
I loved the wittiness of the geek leader Todd, the heart of Bethany's crush Jack, and the overall silliness that is high school.
I really must say this wasn't a book I expected to love. Yeah, it looked cute - but it really just surprised me with the depth in the characters, the fantastic writing, and the great plot that moves you along until the book ends. I like how much is put into this book - issues of divorce and dealing with change. And it's sort of fun to see Bethany's parents trying to talk her out of cheerleading.
I loved the wittiness of the geek leader Todd, the heart of Bethany's crush Jack, and the overall silliness that is high school.
December 3, 2010
Beneath the fluffy chick lit title and cover lies a gem of a novel you will want to share with patrons and friends. Bethany is a smart girl with good friends and a good life. She’s content being in the “geek” caste of her high school, though she does pine for the seemingly unattainable Jack, star basketball player. When her best friend Moni decides they should try out for the two suddenly available spots on the varsity cheer squad, Bethany at first just goes along. But soon both girls are committed and win the approval of the tough cheer coach, much to the dismay of both their friends and the cool crowd. The drama is worth it for Bethany as she and Jack finally connect and discover how much they enjoy each other’s company, yet how can they be a couple when each has their own hang-ups about the past and future? Yes, there are definitely a few nods to Pride and Prejudice here, and this novel excels in its accurate portrayal of the complicated lives of teens in the just the right tone. Highly recommended for ages 13 and up.
June 12, 2009
At Prarie Stone High School, Bethany and her friend Moni usually navigate the halls and gauntlet of popular kids and cheerleaders holding their breath. When Moni's "geek" friend Brian makes is so apparent that anything in a cheerleading uniform is worth watching, Moni "encourages" Bethany to try out for the winter varsity squad. Bethany never dreams they will actually make it, but of course, they do. From Coach Shelia's surprise help, to learning how the other half lives, this story deftly shows both sides of the high school battle lines. Moni's difficulty with her parents divorce cause her to look blindly at wrestling superstart Rick, while we wonder if the handsome, star basketball player Jack will really fall for Bethany? The girls learn that cheering takes a lot of hard work, along with keeping up with all their honors classes. As with many teen novels these days, there's a touch of Pride and Prejudice in the mix, plus some Minnesotan common sense. (and a tuna noodle hotdish).
Want to read
January 16, 2010 I decided to read The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading. Bethany thinks of herself as a geek but then she makes the cheerleading team. She felt comfortable with her geek squad but now she isnt since it's a whole new enviroment. She wants to get noticed. She keeps asking herself questions and makes a guide. She wants to make it to the top of the pyramid, and she is determined too.
I have a text-to-self connection . My connection is how i feel left out like her at times. But it depends on the situation. Since im so timid i think maybe thats why. I just have to think louder, lol. Or i would just have to tell my friends i feel left out at times or do what Bethany did.
I give this book ****stars. I like the detail they put in this and how it shows how a real teenager goes through things. Peer pressure or just lonliness. I suggest this book to others who like real life or some one who likes this author.
I have a text-to-self connection . My connection is how i feel left out like her at times. But it depends on the situation. Since im so timid i think maybe thats why. I just have to think louder, lol. Or i would just have to tell my friends i feel left out at times or do what Bethany did.
I give this book ****stars. I like the detail they put in this and how it shows how a real teenager goes through things. Peer pressure or just lonliness. I suggest this book to others who like real life or some one who likes this author.
January 5, 2010
In the book The Geek Girls Guide to Cheerleading a girl named Bethany and her bestfriend Moni try out for cheerleading. At first it was to make a statement that if cheerleaders can do it do can geeks but things slowly start to change, and they stay the same at the same time. Bethanies dream comes true being noticed by John, one of the hottest guys in school, but does he only like her for her pom poms or for te real geek she is?
I think it's a Text-to-World connection. I think it's a Text-to-World conection because it's quite normal that geeks get pushed around. Being asked out by the guy of you dreams who wouldn't give any other girl in your school the time of day is really surprising and it would make you really happy. Beth and Moni are like geek gods or something for being able to make the squad.
I give this book five stars. I gave it five stars because it's really funny. It's like a fairtytale. like cinderella, she got her prince charming in the end. It was just beautiful.
I think it's a Text-to-World connection. I think it's a Text-to-World conection because it's quite normal that geeks get pushed around. Being asked out by the guy of you dreams who wouldn't give any other girl in your school the time of day is really surprising and it would make you really happy. Beth and Moni are like geek gods or something for being able to make the squad.
I give this book five stars. I gave it five stars because it's really funny. It's like a fairtytale. like cinderella, she got her prince charming in the end. It was just beautiful.
July 26, 2011
I really liked this book! I think it really deserves a 3.5. I loved the humor. There were times when I'd laugh out loud and tell my brother how funny it was.(he'd just look at me weird.)I also loved the teenage romance and loved the guy characters(almost better then the female girl characters).
This book is about a geekish girl and her friend, kind of as a joke, try out for the cheerleading varsity team. They were going to drop out of it, but Bethany decides to stay in to prove that popularity doesn't matter. I LOVED the cute ending with the Pride and Prejudice twist.
One thing I didn't like about this book was how Jack drank and Bethany kind of just kind of shrugged it off just because he's a good guy(even though I LOVE Jack). I also didn't like how at the end she just forgave him. I thought he needed to do a little more to make up for what he did to her. But all in all it was a great book and I really enjoyed it. :)
This book is about a geekish girl and her friend, kind of as a joke, try out for the cheerleading varsity team. They were going to drop out of it, but Bethany decides to stay in to prove that popularity doesn't matter. I LOVED the cute ending with the Pride and Prejudice twist.
One thing I didn't like about this book was how Jack drank and Bethany kind of just kind of shrugged it off just because he's a good guy(even though I LOVE Jack). I also didn't like how at the end she just forgave him. I thought he needed to do a little more to make up for what he did to her. But all in all it was a great book and I really enjoyed it. :)
December 6, 2020
When brainy Bethany and her equally brainy BFF Moni make the cheerleading squad, it sets off shockwaves throughout their school. Their "geek" friends feel betrayed and the popular clique does not exactly welcome them with open arms. To add to the drama, enter Jack Paulson - basketball hero. What's a girl to do when the guy she's been friends with for years no longer speaks to her because he thinks she sold out and the hot, super-sexy basketball stud she's been in love with since 8th grade is now buying her Dr. Pepper and talking to her about Pride and Prejudice? One thing is for sure, all is not what it appears to be...
Excellent. I picked it up on Monday afternoon and was done by Tuesday night. I just couldn't put it down! Well written with believable characters. A must-read for anyone.
Excellent. I picked it up on Monday afternoon and was done by Tuesday night. I just couldn't put it down! Well written with believable characters. A must-read for anyone.
June 28, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this story. I really identified with Bethany--I cheered from the time I was 8 to the time I was 18 and I was always the bookworm on the squad (luckily my school was small enough that there weren't really cliques--everyone was friends with everyone else). I liked the way the authors wrote the characters. I loved Bethany, Moni, and especially Jack. I loved how he was the popular kid in the high school but when you got to know him, he was a total sweetheart. And I really felt for Chantal, the snobby head of the popular group. I liked how Bethany stayed mostly true to herself, even though she joined cheerleading, and didn't completely disregard the nerd herd. And I enjoyed the ending. Overall a really cute story!
March 6, 2010
I loved this book. Bethany is one of the Geek crowd and has had a crush on the star school basketball player, Jack Paulson, for a long time. Her friend Moni talks her into trying out for cheerleaders. To their own personal amazement they make it. Bethany ends up dating Jack soon afterwards and Moni starts seeing Rick Mangers, a popular senior. Moni believes the cheerleader thing has paid off for them but things are not always as they seem as they both eventually find out. A very engrossing read. I really learned to love Bethany and Jack and so wanted them to stay together. Would love to see a second book about Moni since her relationship with Rick and and Brian was not fully resolved.
June 12, 2009
Okay, this book was a riot. I laughed out loud several times. I started reading it yesterday at Evelyn's dance class and finished it before I went to bed. Fun, fun, fun. It helps that it's opening line is "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a high school boy in posession of great athletic ability must be in want of..." Super cute.
The story behind how it was written endeared it even more. The woman who started writing it gave it to her friend whose son was going through chemotherapy. Her friend took it and finished it as a release while dealing with the pain of her son's cancer treatments.
The story behind how it was written endeared it even more. The woman who started writing it gave it to her friend whose son was going through chemotherapy. Her friend took it and finished it as a release while dealing with the pain of her son's cancer treatments.
August 3, 2009
A really cute book. I thought the story was good and had a semi-realistic experience in high school. At least as far as I know. I only base my opinion off of the experience I had. (Which was a good one.)
The book is basically about two "geek" girls getting fed up with the whole Cheerleader status so they decide to try out to become one. They end up making the squad and are very surprised. One is happy about it. The other is tolerant and only did it to make her friend happy.
Even though they make the squad they still have opposition from all the popular people. But not everyone.....
The book is basically about two "geek" girls getting fed up with the whole Cheerleader status so they decide to try out to become one. They end up making the squad and are very surprised. One is happy about it. The other is tolerant and only did it to make her friend happy.
Even though they make the squad they still have opposition from all the popular people. But not everyone.....
January 15, 2010
I read this book in 2 days or less. I couldn't put it down. My sister read it and recommended it, and now I know why! I love how it's written from a teenager's perspective, yet not over the top and trying to hard to have teenager lingo. It was really clever and I went from laughing to just feeling horrible for the girls. I loved how Bethany stuck up for things and people and believed that you can be friends with anyone-- no matter their social standing. I LOVED the relationship that develops with Bethany and Jack. I wanted to give B some serious high fives. Such a refreshing, fun, easy read that makes you laugh.
October 31, 2016
I didn't expect to like this book and I didn't. It sucked. I mean it wasn't even about cheerleading-- the whole "cheerleader" thing was probably the first idea the author had when trying to figure out how to make a geek character popular. Because the whole book was about the geek (I use that term loosely) becoming noticed by a hot guy. Yawn. I actually don't even care about the cheerleading aspect (or lack thereof), I just think a book should at least have something to do with it's title or blurb.
So yeah, didn't enjoy it at all. But it was a quick read and I'm no longer behind on my 2016 reading challenge, so there's that.
So yeah, didn't enjoy it at all. But it was a quick read and I'm no longer behind on my 2016 reading challenge, so there's that.
June 19, 2009
Loved this book! I picked it up thinking that it was going to be more like the Non-Blonde Cheerleader series, but it was actually really different. Bethany and Moni weren't the best cheerleaders, but they gave it their all, and practiced hard. They were geeks who survived on a varsity cheerleading squad, and even though they hit quite a few obstacles (thanks to Jack Paulson and Rick Mangers), the girls proved they could take whatever was thrown at them. Maybe, although people may not know it, Geeks are a lot stronger than people may give them credit.
April 10, 2011
This is a pretty fun book. I felt the authors did a good job making all of the 'stereotypes' 3-dimensional. The 'geeks', 'jocks', and others had good and bad in them. It's probably not realistic that a young woman without any cheerleading experience (or even prior interest in cheerleading) could make the varsity squad, but I guess that's part of the fun of it.
I really enjoyed the Pride and Prejudice references and discussions throughout the book. My only complaint is that the end moved too quickly & got a little confusing.
Warning: There is some sparse bad language.
I really enjoyed the Pride and Prejudice references and discussions throughout the book. My only complaint is that the end moved too quickly & got a little confusing.
Warning: There is some sparse bad language.
July 16, 2011
Definetly a must read! i love the whole geek cheerleader thing, you just don't see it to often. this book had me smiling, cringing, and straigght up LOL'ing. it was so cute and i recommend it to anyone who wants a different plot. most books today have to do with the whole popular girl blah blah blah. and i find that author's like meg cabot and jennifer echols allow the under-rated girls (c list, and d list girls) to shine. i love when author's take characters who don';t have it all made and turn them into the main protagonist of a story. well done.
December 29, 2009
This was book had clique written all over it...but I loved every second of it. Basically nerd girls try to break out of the geek squad. On a whim they try out for cheerleading and made the team. They take cheerleading serious (cheering for the wrestling team. Bethany even maganges to capture the attention of the cutest guy in school. This book was all about squashing high school stereotypes with lots of humor.
December 29, 2012
So I am honestly a big teen romance, teen fiction, summer love, drama, type of gal and this book was just so boring. I am a cheerleader and I just couldnt relate. Bethany was just so boring and average. There was no sparkle to her or her relay with Jack. Sorry guys just my opinion. I know that some of you reading this might want to slap me buttt some might agree. I'm I right huh huh lol okay I'm done.
August 17, 2014
This started out cute, got muddled in the middle, and was brought to a clumsy finish by ripping off Austen. A co-write needs more than the usual number edits - not less. Plus, it leaves the way open for double in-jokes - you know, the part that makes ABSOLUTE SENSE in your head until someone else says, "WTF?" If that someone else is your co-writer, you can explain it and it's all gravy ... except for the poor reader. It had potential, to be fair. To be fair, it didn't fulfill it.
January 7, 2010
Really cute book that's definitely good for letting teenage girl's know it's ok to be geek. Of course as is typical with a teen book of this nature Bethany just happened to be really cute and have the skills necessary to be a cheerleader and had a just as cute geek girl best friend, but overlooking those conveniences, I thought it was a fun read and everyone loves a good geek girl.
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