How Not to Ask a Boy to Prom

by S. J. Goslee

Overview

“If you're looking for a novel to fill the To All The Boys I've Loved Before-shaped hole in your heart, this is the book for you.” —Camille Perri, author of When Katie Met Cassidy

How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom is a modern gender-bent young adult rom com from S. J. Goslee.

Nolan Grant is sixteen, gay, and very, very single.

He's never had a boyfriend, or even been kissed. It's not like Penn Valley is exactly brimming with prospects. Nolan plans to ride out the rest of his junior year drawing narwhals, working at the greenhouse, and avoiding anything that involves an ounce of school spirit.

Unfortunately for him, his adoptive big sister has other ideas. Ideas that involve too-tight pants, a baggie full of purple glitter, and worst of all: a Junior-Senior prom ticket.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250233776
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	03/24/2020
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

S.J. Goslee graduated from West Chester University with a BA in Literature and a minor in creative writing. She's been writing fanfiction in multiple fandoms for over a decade, amounting to over 140 stories and a million words. Whatever.is her debut novel. She lives in Glenolden, PA with her husband, two young sons, three cats and two dogs (one giant, one tiny).

Editorial Reviews

A tour de force novel with pages that almost seem to turn of their own accord.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A smash hit for teen romcom fans wanting a queer read-alike to Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” —School Library Journal

“Illuminating and humorous. Goslee has produced a delightful comedy of errors populated by complex characters that exhibit emotional depth while navigating the angst and drama of a queer YA romance.” —Booklist

“Full of humor and tenderness, this contemporary YA will satisfy readers looking to swoon.” —Buzzfeed

“An uproarious whirlwind of fake-dating events . . . likely to entertain teen readers who enjoy fast-paced humor . . . Another hit to add to [Goslee's] first novel, Whatever.” —VOYA

“The modern voice and humor S.J. Goslee brings to the story keeps this tale-as-old-as-time fresh and new . . . If you're looking for a novel to fill the To All The Boys I've Loved Before-shaped hole in your heart, this is the book for you.” —Camille Perri, author of When Katie Met Cassidy

“The queer rom-com is on the rise, [and] this embodies everything that makes a good romance . . . This book is great for those who liked To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han and The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe.” —Isaiah West, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults nomination

Praise for Whatever. by S. J. Goslee:

“Recommended for young adults who enjoy . . . books by John Green, Adam Silvera, or John Corey Whaley.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Fans of David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy (2003) and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (2015) won’t be disappointed.” —Booklist, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 2019-02-13

A teenager bravely contends with hormones, homosexuality, and high school in this uproarious romantic comedy of errors that breathes new life into the prom story.

Nolan Sheffield just wants to make it through his junior year without making waves and follow his beloved older sister, Daphne, to college. The last thing on his mind is dating. Unfortunately for him, his overprotective big sis has other plans. Before Nolan knows what happened, he has an unexpected prom date, an improbable fake boyfriend—who once bullied him—and no clue how to make sense of the situation. In her second novel, Goslee (Whatever., 2016) combines elements of the 1999 films Never Been Kissed and She's All That into a delightful teen romp that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. The author has an undeniable knack for dialogue and description and creates a cast of characters so genuine and amusing that readers will scan their high schools hoping to find them. Nolan's relationships with his adoptive parents and well-meaning yet meddlesome sister anchor the narrative, creating a portrait of a quirky yet eminently supportive modern family that any gay child would envy. Nolan's candid conversation with his mom about the birds and the bees demonstrates her unconditional love and provides hope that life may one day reflect art. Nolan and his family are white; scant physical descriptions leave readers speculating about other characters' ethnicities based on names.

A tour de force novel with pages that almost seem to turn of their own accord. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews