How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart

I know this sounds really nerdy, but I like the idea of authors talking about writing and working together. Although it isn't true, I think of the world of Young Adult Literature as being a small tight-knit community where the authors know each and discuss their upcoming books. I think this idea was fostered by Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, two very popular YA authors. I really enjoyed their collaboration and the book that resulted which is now out in a movie, by the way. I hope to get a chance to see it one of these days.

How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle is another one of those great collaboratory efforts by very popular YA authors. E. Lockhart has written The Boy Book and The Boyfriend List as well as The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, a book that is getting lots of talk as the award season starts. Sarah Mlynowski has written Bras and Broomsticks and Frogs and French Kisses, neither of which I have read. Lauren Myracle has written TTYL and TTFN two interesting books that are written as instant messages between three girls. The three authors of How to Be Bad are well established in YA Chick Lit and this novel is a great example!

How to Be Bad is about three very different girls who develop a close friendship while on a road trip from Niceville, Florida to Miami. Vicks, Jesse and Mel all want the same thing to get out of Niceville for a while. Vicks' boyfriend Brady has left town to attend the University of Miami and she has only heard from him once in the two weeks since he has been gone. Jesse is dealing with her mother's recent diagnosis of breast cancer and she just wants to get away. So Jesse comes up with the idea to go see Brady in Miami. However, neither Jesse nor Vicks has any money, so when Mel offers to go along and pay for the gas, they jump at the idea. Wealthy Mel has just moved to town and she wants to fit in. So the three girls embark on an adventure that leads them through a hurricane, into a fight with an alligator, to Epcot Center and finally to Miami. Through their adventures, the girls learn many things about themselves and their friendship.

The three girls alternate chapters taking turns telling the story, so the reader gets to know all three girls and what they are feeling. It is a fun story, but also one that makes you appreciate the friendships in your life.