The Date to Save by Stephanie Kate Strohm

 Angela wants to be a writer in the worst way, and the only student publication at her school is the newpaper, the Prepster.  Unfortunately the Prepster is ruled by a dictatorial editor named Colin. Desparate to get an article in the homecoming edition, Angela agrees to write a 250 word article about Academic Battle.  As she starts to investigate the story, she discovers that Academic Battle, school elections, and the homecomig game are all scheduled at the same time and that the conflict was not an accident.

This book is written as a collection of interviews with different people at the school.  The recorded version is performed nicely by a full cast.  It is very silly, and in a few places, quite funny.  I actually laughed outloud.  The writer has a good grasp of what counts as high drama in a high school.  To the characters, the election of school student rep, the winner of Academic Battle, and the success of the halftime show at homecoming are the most important things in the world.  I especially appreciated the snarky comments from the few school administrators. Even though this book it set in highschool, it is really targeted at junior high age readers.  It would be a great way for an eighth grader to relax after finished some super dry required reading. (201, 288 p.)