Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Libba Bray is either an unconquerable genius or a total loony-toon.  Either way, she's hilarious.  Beauty Queens is a must-read, and if you can get it on audio (read by the author!), all the better.  Think the television series Lost, the movie Miss Congeniality, and throw in some Lord of the Flies and your favorite chick lit to the mix . . .

While believing that they were on their way to a super fun beach vacation, fifty contestants for the Miss Teen Dream beauty pageant have been stranded on a desert island with no communication and no chaperones.  Miss New Mexico is left with an airline serving tray stuck in her forehead, Miss Texas AKA Taylor Rene Krystal Hawkins is the official leader of the bunch (until she goes completely mad), and Miss Rhode Island is actually a boy.  They have to figure out how to work together to survive and try to get themselves rescued, while navigating the unforeseen complications presented by a group of sexy pirates . . . and, of course, ultimately avoiding being killed at the hands of the Corporation.

This novel is complete satire, and it's completely hilarious.  At times it seems to be overdone, parts are predictable, and it's absolutely berating pop culture and politics - but then it turns around and convinces the reader that that was the whole point all along.  This should be a joy to listen to for any high school reader!

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

P. S. Does anyone else think that LadyBird Hope sounds exactly like Sarah Palin?!  Beautiful!