Dating Games #1: First Date

by Melody Carlson

Overview

Five high school friends have one thing in common as they start their sophomore year: none of them have ever been on a "real" date. With homecoming looming, they make a pact and start a secret club they call the DG (Dating Game). They're sworn to secrecy--and to purity--but the club is their way to set each other up on their first dates so they can report back to the DG. Of course, they all make different choices about how to deal with their parents and how to act on their dates, and they discover that they all have totally different experiences. Still, the things they learn about boys and dating will stick with them throughout high school.
Bestselling author and teen favorite Melody Carlson starts off her newest series with a good dose of fun, tackling two topics teen girls love to read about--friends and boys.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800721312
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.48(w) x 5.64(h) x 0.53(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books, including the Life at Kingston High series, "Double Take," and "A Simple Song." She recently received a "Romantic Times" Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and "Finding Alice." Melody and her husband live in Oregon. Find out more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Editorial Reviews

Five very different high school juniors team up to get a date to the prom in this series opener slanted toward the Christian audience but accessible to all. Devon has just joined longtime best friend Emma at her mostly Christian private high school. The Northwood Academy faculty isn't sure that students should date at all, although the school does not expressly forbid it. Aggressive Devon, used to a far more raucous public school and a bit boy crazy, enlists her new friends in a secret effort they name the Dating Games club. Once it's launched, things begin to percolate. Cassidy follows her Christian faith and tries not to judge Devon, whom she initially dislikes. Meanwhile, Emma gets a makeover, and Abby deals with her too-strict father, while beautiful Bryn uses her charms to shake things up. Several characters wonder whether dating might be dangerous, and in fact, a cautionary plot twist indicates that it can be. The narrative continually refers to Christian ideals, churchgoing, prayer and Christian counseling. Not all characters are religious, but all love and respect their parents and sincerely try to form real friendships even when jealousy strikes. It's all completely innocent and will be a welcome book for those uncomfortable with more frank fiction for teens. Perfect for young Christian readers and fine for others too. (Christian chick lit. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews