Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling Series #1)

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More About This Book

Overview

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.

Editorial Reviews

VOYA
When her best friend, Hope, moves away after Jess's brother dies of a drug overdose, sixteen-year-old Jess copes with loss of the only friend who understands her. Diary entries and monthly letters to Hope reflect Jess's longing for love but refusal to settle for just anyone, and reveal her rivalry with her perfect, engaged sister. Frustrated because she excels in school with ease, Jess feels that she is participating in class only for her college applications. When she conveniently hurts her ankle and replaces track with journalism, her acerbic editorials make her a spokesperson for the non-Upper Crusts at her high school. McCafferty's unflinchingly realistic depiction of daily life in high school includes the obligatory social stratification and I-hate-my-body-attitude, but it delves deeply into the themes of identity and the struggle to be subversively true to oneself. The author shines with painfully honest portrayals of a variety of relationships, from simple best-friend pacts to complex family interactions in a house where the death of the only son is never mentioned. Ultimately, the author exposes the harm teens do to themselves and to one another, and juxtaposes their resilience alongside their destruction. Although liberal use of the f-word, teen slang, and candid talk about sex season the setting and further the plot, such enhancements might make conservative communities cringe. Shelve this gem in the adult area if necessary; the lime, hot-pink, and orange cover coupled with rave reviews in teen magazines across the country will ensure that this excellent first novel arrives in the hands of the right readers. VOYA CODES: 5Q 4P S A/YA (Hard to imagine it being any better written;Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Crown, 280p,
— Beth Gallaway

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780609807903
  • Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 8/28/2001
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 133,709
  • Lexile: 790L (what's this?)
  • Series: Jessica Darling Series, #1
  • Product dimensions: 6.10 (w) x 9.20 (h) x 0.65 (d)

Meet the Author

Megan McCafferty
Megan McCafferty

Megan McCafferty is the author of the hit novels Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, and Charmed Thirds, which was a New York Times bestseller. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and son. To find out more, visit MeganMcCafferty.com.

Read an Excerpt

Tonight I've been thinking about the mosaic Hope gave me the night she U-hauled ass out of Pineville. I wasn't supposed to open it until my birthday, but I couldn't wait. I tore off the wrapping paper and finally had an explanation for the mysterious slivers of shredded magazine pages all over her carpet. For months, Hope had been tearing out pictures of school buses and pumpkins to capture the color of her curls. Hershey bars and beer bottles for my bob.

I hung it on the wall next to my bed. I've been staring at it, trying to figure out how she glued all those tiny pieces of paper so they would come together to re-create my favorite photo: Hope and me at four a.m.-wide awake and laughing, waiting to sneak out to watch the sunrise.

I remember that summer sleepover at Hope's house two and a half years ago more vividly than anything I did today.

We watched the video of her Little Miss Superstar dance recital. She was the most coordinated of the dozen or so yellowbikini-clad four-year-olds shuffle-ball-changing to a Beach Boys medley. (Hope's review: Hello, JonBenèt Ramsey!)

We tried to outdo each other in round after round of "What Would You Do?" Eat nothing but fish sticks OR wear head-to-toe *NSYNC paraphernalia for the rest of your life? French kiss your dog, Dali?, OR have sex with the Chaka, the Special Ed. King? Be zit free forever OR fill a D-cup bra?

We flipped through our eighth-grade yearbook and decided that being voted Class Brainiac (me) and Class Artist (her) just about guaranteed geekdom in high school. We thought that Brainiac Who Will Actually Make Something of Her Life and Not End Up Managing a 7-Eleven and Artist Who Will Contribute More to This World Than Misspelled Graffiti sounded so much better. Then we literally rolled on the rug laughing as we stripped other Class Characters of their titles and gave them what they really deserved . . .

Scotty Glazer: from Most Athletic to Most Middle-Aged Yet Totally Immature

Bridget Milhokovich: from Best Looking to Best Bet She'll Peak Too Soon

Manda Powers: from Biggest Flirt to Most Likely to End Up on Jerry Springer

Sara D'Abruzzi: from Class Motormouth to Future Double Agent Who Would Betray Her Country for Liposuction.

Mrs. Weaver made German pancakes with lemon juice and confectioners' sugar for breakfast. Hope's then-sixteen-year-old brother, Heath, snorted the powdery sugar up his nose and imitated some crazy seventies comedian all hopped up on coke. This made me laugh so hard I thought my stomach was going to come out my ears. I felt bad when Hope later explained to me why she and her mom weren't so amused by his antics. And when Heath died of a heroin overdose six months ago, I felt even worse.

My brother would've been in the same grade as Heath. Hope and I always thought that was a really freaky coincidence. I never knew him, though. Matthew Michael Darling died when he was only two weeks old. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. No one in my family talks about him. Ever.

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver made countless excuses for the sudden move back to their tiny hometown (Wellgoode, Tennessee: Population 6,345, uh, make that 6,348). They had to get Hope down there in time to start the third marking period. They had to move in with Hope's grandmother so they could afford to pay for college. But Hope and I saw through the lies. We knew the truth-even if we never said it out loud. The Weavers wanted to get Hope out of Pineville, New Jersey (pop. 32,000, give or take three people), so she wouldn't end up like her brother. Dead at eighteen.

Now I-I mean, we, Hope and me-have to pay for his mistakes. It's not fair. I know this may sound a little selfish, but couldn't they have waited another seventeen days? Couldn't they have waited until after my birthday?

I told my parents not to even dare throwing me a Sweet Sixteen party. The very thought of ice-cream cake and pink crepe paper makes me want to hurl. Not to mention the fact that I can't even imagine who would be on the guest list since I hate all my other friends. I know my parents think I'm being ridiculous. But if the one person I want to be there can't be there, I'd rather just stay home. And mope. Or sleep.

Besides, I have never been sweet. Maybe not never, but definitely not after the age of three. That's when my baby blond hair suddenly darkened-and my attitude went with it. (Which is why my dad's nickname for me is "Notso" as in, Jessica Not-So-Darling.) Whenever anyone tried to talk to me I'd yell BOR-ING and run away. I probably picked it up from my sister, Bethany, who was fourteen at the time and spent hours in front of the mirror rolling her eyes and practicing pissy looks to advertise her so-called angst. Of course, the difference between Bethany and me is that I've never had to practice.

Table of Contents

Foreward

1. Family Relationships
Describe the relationship between Jessica and her father. Who puts more pressure on Jessica about running, her father or herself? Is track the only thing these two have in common?

2. Discuss how Jessica and her older sister, Bethany, relate to each other and to their mother. Are any of these relationships healthy?

3. Both Jessica and Hope have lost their older brothers. Discuss how each family dealt with the death. Will Hope understand Jessica's new relationship with Marcus?

Reading Group Guide

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating 4.5
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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 28, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    One of the worst books i have ever read, & i've read a lot of books!

    What did I dislike about this book?
    -She and her friends are constantly swearing and cussing. Alot of the F word.
    -She thinks about sex all the time. She decides to have sex with a guy who uses her and she barely knows him.
    -She is not a good role model in general.
    -People who say "couldn't put it down!" I am shocked how many good reviews this book got. I could barely keep it open!
    -After a few hours of wasting my time reading this book you find out the end isn't even worth it. Horrible ending.

    Don't read it.

    4 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 15, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    Reviewed by Amanda Dissinger for TeensReadToo.com

    Ever get the feeling you're trapped in your current life, and won't be able to get out for, oh, all of eternity? Are you bored with your so-called "friends," bored with your so-called good grades, bored with your so-called life? Then you'll identify with SLOPPY FIRSTS, the witty, moving debut novel from author Megan McCafferty.

    SLOPPY FIRSTS is the story of 16-year-old Jessica Darling, a girl who feels completely out of sync with everyone around her with the exception of her best friend, Hope. When Hope suddenly moves out of their Pineville, New Jersey, hometown, Jess feels even more depressed than ever now that she is forced to deal with all of the people in her life that annoy her without her best friend. Faced with vapid, materialistic girls at her high school, her dad's desire to make her the best track star that ever lived, and her new desire to be with the school's resident pseudo- intellectual bad boy, Marcus Flutie, Jessica records all of her hilarious, rambling thoughts in her journal for all readers to see.

    SLOPPY FIRSTS is a creative and honest book about what normal teenagers experience in their day-to-day lives. It will please not only young readers, but also adult women who want to relive those cringe-worthy high school years, and look back on the memories. It's heartbreaking, fresh, and sure to become a classic among readers who like a little angst in their lives.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 30, 2011

    Excellent, very relatable

    I absolutely adore all of the Jessica Darling books! I've seen some reviews that were negative that concentrated on things that I thought made the book realistic. I first read this book in 8th grade, and things about Jessica that seem a little immature now (shallowness, preservation on the move of a friend, excessive cursing) really resonated with me then. I aged as Jessica in the books did, and I greatly anticipated each one coming out. I think the books also get better as they go on; I'm not sure if this is due to the aging of the narrator or due to improvements in McCafferty's skill. Either way, I think the series is awesome.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 10, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    HORRIBLE BOOK!! HIGHLY DON'T RECCOMEND!

    This book was by far one of the worst books I've ever read. My best friend reccomended it, and i regret it. I am an avid reader, and this was just a waste of my time. In the begginging it appears as if Jesse is a lesbian with her obsession of Hope, and how she states she wishes there was a boy version of Hope out there. CREEPY! Also, this book made me feel so depressed! She completly lost it after Hope left, and had insomnia!!! There was barley any romance in it, and by the end of the book, they BREAK UP!!!!!!! If you have any interest in a good book, don't read this one.
    PS- MY FAVORITE BOOK IN THE WORLD IS PERFECT CHEMISTRY :) <333 HIGHLY RECCOMEND PERFECT CHEMISTRY!!!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 31, 2009

    sloppy book

    ugh!! this was such a bad book!!! just because a book curses all the time doesnt mean its going to catch all readers attention. and the way the boy saves the girl but the boy says the girl saved him. totally cliche. this was an eh book. i wouldnt recommened this book to anyone.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 2, 2011

    Sloppy firsts; the story of my life..

    Easy to relate to..funny.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 16, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Anything but sloppy! Sharp and snarky and perfect!

    Jessica Darling goes about her life in her "just darling" high school bubble, but inwardly she is screaming for relief from the stupid teenage drama of Pineville High. Her best friend Hope has moved away and left Jessica to battle insomnia, gossip, lack of period, parental expectations, and her older sister's wedding all by herself. To top that, the enigmatic Marcus Flutie - whose reputation reeking of drugs and sex precedes him - becomes inexplicably the one person Jessica can turn to.

    I've been wanting to read this series forever and finally found all the books at the same time. Jessica Darling is the epitome of a teenager who feels lost amid the high school routine, but doesn't know what she's looking for. Written in journal form, I got sucked into Jessica's honest and snarky observations of the life around. sloppy firsts will definitely appeal to anyone who has ever felt like a freak of nature that no one will ever understand - with Jessica, you'll find good company!

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  • Posted April 9, 2010

    Favorite Book Ever

    I started reading the Jessica Darling series the day this book came out. I finished this book in just a few hours; it was impossible to put down!!! The pages are worn from traveling to the bath tub and everywhere with me. I have highlighted passages through the entire book. I felt like I was reading my own diary! A must read for anyone going through or remembering teenage angst!

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  • Posted February 16, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Flutie Fan

    This book was recommended to me by all my friends so I picked it up at B&N. I really liked it...I want to read the next book because of the cliff hanger ending. Marcus Flutie is totally "That Guy". Love it!

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  • Posted January 19, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Megan McCafferty is great!

    I love Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series. Sloppy Firsts is a great beginning to this series. She introduces great characters and keeps you interested in their lives throughout the series. In this first book, Jessica Darling (main character) is lost without her best friend whose family moves away as the book begins. She is a funny and smart character, and the way she deals with her new situation at school is very entertaining. I love that this very book-smart character finds that she has a lot to learn when it comes to understanding herself and those around her.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 13, 2010

    Adorable.

    Sloppy Firsts is one of the most entertaining books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Jessica Darling's observations on the people and the world around her had me nodding my head in agreement, giggling in amusement, and putting my hand over my mouth due to some of the shocking twists that the story offers. The characters are original and the book captures feelings that we can all relate to. It's a fun, satisfying read that I think every girl should experience. I must say, though, that I wasn't fully satisfied with the length of the story. I wanted more! But that's probably why a Second Helpings exists. I can't wait to dive into another installment of Jessica Darling's hilarious insights.

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  • Posted January 8, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Very Good.

    This book was really great, on the angsty side, but still so entertaining. The main charecter is not happy, but makes great observations. I loved some of the side characters, but despised others. Great read, yet heavy.

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  • Posted April 5, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Slightly disappointing...

    The Jessica Darling books are super well known. Everyone says that they're fabulous. But I don't quite buy it yet. Sloppy Firsts didn't show me where all the hype is coming from. It's an okay book, sure, but there's nothing ground breaking in there. It's just kind of mediocre.
    When I picked up the book, I thought that the thing I would like the most about it would be the true to life characters and plot twists. It was all very true to life but within that, surprisingly boring. Most everyone's life is boring and not fit to be written about. I'll be the first to admit that. If someone wrote a book about me, it would seriously suck. I don't do anything! There's nothing exciting or crazy going on with me. Wake up, eat, school, homework, sleep. That's it.

    And to me, that's kind of all that Jessica did in this book. She did lose her best friend, she did alienate her social circle, she did meet up with the mysterious Marcus Flutie, but it was all hidden under a layer of meh. It could have all been quite interesting but it wasn't. I just didn't get it.

    There were a few redeeming things that I saw, though. I did enjoy the not boring parts of the book. I loved Marcus, I loved how Jessica had a crazy social life at some points, and I enjoyed the letters and lists that she made. Those shining moments somewhat made up for the crappy parts. They added a little spice.

    I am going to continue to read the series, I think, because I want to see if any of the other books change my mind about Ms. Jessica Darling. When everyone's so hyped about a group of books, you kind of have to see it through. So I'm going to.

    I just sincerely hope that Marcus doesn't go away. He's the guy who made this book readable. He was AWESOME.

    So don't ruin it for me, but does Marcus stick around?

    I can't quite recommend this series yet, but I might be able to give you guys a diagnosis after I read Second Helpings. All you lovers of the Darling books, cross your fingers for me. I want to like it. :)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 17, 2009

    Jessia Notso Great Darling

    My biggest problem with this book(s) is the main character Jessica, probably because I can't relate to her at all. I think she's more snarky about things the need be, has alot of issues, and has a generally poor attitude about life. I read the 1st two books (Sloppy Firsts & Second Helpings) only because I wanted to see if she would get together with another character, and after that I wasn't intersted anymore. I recommened checking Sloppy Firsts out at the libary first before buying the book.

    I DO reccomend: anything written by Meg Cabot, Bad Kitty series by Michele Jaffe, Girl 15 series by Sue Limb, anything by Sarah Strohmeyer & Audrey Wait by Robin Benway.

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  • Posted November 15, 2008

    can't put down

    I remember picking this book up and not being able to put it down til i had read it all.
    I love the characters she creates in this series.
    I enjoy how they all grow and learn.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 6, 2008

    High School, Reality or Fantasy?

    Have you ever had a friend move not only to a different school, but to a different state? Jessica Darling's best friend Hope moved away when her dad got a new job. Jessica and Hope have been best friends since grade school! They are inseparable. Even though Hope moved, Jessica e-mails her almost everyday. One thing I like about this book is how it relates to real life high school experiences. It does this by referring to the ¿cliques¿ and gossiping done by all the ¿upper crust¿ kids. The Clueless Crew is a perfect example these girls are in the upper crust and gossip all day about people and what they did. Another thing I like is the amount of detail in the book. Everything that happens goes into great, extensive detail to help you understand what is going on. At Bethany's wedding it tells you everything from the ceremony to the reception it goes into every detail imaginable. I also like how even though Hope moved, she still remained friends with Jessica. To me this shows what Best Friends are! Just because someone moves away, doesn¿t mean you should forget about them completely, you should stay in touch always! Lastly, I like how all the drama in the book is exactly like the drama that happens in High School. Bridget went to acting school over the summer, leaving Burke in Pineville. When she returns back to Pineville she finds out Burke was cheating on her all summer with her supposed Best Friend Manda. This is relative to something that might happen in reality at high school. Sloppy Firsts is a highly recommended book that once you start reading you can¿t put it down. It reminds you of all the adventures and teenage dramas you went through or are going through in High school. This book puts your mind back in the teenage years again! Everyone should read about how Jessica Darling dealt with all her drama, from Hope moving, to her sister¿s wedding and all the other problems in between.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 9, 2008

    SO FUNNY!

    Ha...oh what a fun read! The language was a little much for me sometimes, but oh, it made me laugh out loud!! Definitely recommend it to friends!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 14, 2008

    love!

    i loved this book!! it was my favorite of the series...i could totally relate to jessica...ANDD this book totally broadened my vocabulary!! :)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 13, 2008

    UHH-MAZE-ING!!

    This book was absolutely amazing! It's one of my personal favorites! I wasn't really into reading and I picked up this book just to take a look at it. I was instantly hooked. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 27, 2008

    'a headline...for my review'

    My opinion is that Megan McCafferty really knows her stuff! She is so real in her writing, very candid, very actual/factual. She gets into your mind, the mind of her audience. By the end of this first book I was in love with the character 'ms. Jess Dahling', the book, and I was on to the next one in the series. She stays true to her story. She really follows through, which makes you Yearn for the next book! There is a constant struggle in Jess, she wants to be an optimist but things keep coming into her path that just wont allow her to quite reach that bliss! I think I finished all four in less than two months, they are Truly, that awesome! I suggest reading it, and let it go if you dont like it. If you love it, like me, go on to the next three, its wroth it. When I started reading, it was like, wow, Megan knows me! Of course she doesnt but her writing is that real and honest! She captures her audience, a diverse audience! I am in my twentys, yet I was able to give this book to my high school aged cousin! I encourage you to... Go and read :'

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