The Poison Apples
Archer, Lily
Hardcover
$11.02 + $1.99 USPS S/H
$0.55 of your order (5%) will be donated to the school of your choice.
BOOK SYNOPSIS
We all know the stories of Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. But have you ever heard of Alice Bingley-Beckerman, Reena Paruchuri, or Molly Miller? Of course you havent. Not yet. What these girls have in common with their fairy tale sisters is this: they are the stepdaughters of three very evil stepmothers. And theyre not happy about it. They think they are alone in their unhappiness until they arrive at Putnam Mount McKinsey, a posh boarding school located in lovely rural Massachusetts. Here is where they will plot their revenge. But first they have to meet.
In her first novel, Lily Archer tells a knowing, wickedly funny story about how friendship just may turn out to be more happily-ever-after than family.
AUTHOR BIO
Lily Archer lives in New York City, where she reads the dictionary for fun and secretly hankers for a pet penguin. She has known many stepmothers; some kind, others wicked.
BOOK EXCERPTS
Dear Stepmothers of the World:
As you probably know, more than 50 percent of marriages in America end in divorce. And more than 75 percent of divorced men end up remarrying. That means there are thousandsmillions!of stepmothers out there. Stepmothers in North Dakota. Stepmothers in Florida. Thin stepmothers and fat stepmothers. Rich stepmothers and poor stepmothers. Beautiful stepmothers and ugly stepmothers. Good stepmothers and bad stepmothers.
This book is not about the good stepmothers.
Were not saying good stepmothers dont exist. We know they do. We have faith. We know somewhere out there are stepmothers who love and care about their stepdaughters, stepmothers who give good advice and make goofy jokes and play Monopoly and rent slapstick comedies and take their stepdaughters out for Ethiopian food. In fact, there are probably thousands of girls out there with really stellar stepmothers. Those girls are welcome to write a book about how great their stepmothers are.
We are not those girls.
We are the Poison Apples.
We all happen to have Incredibly Evil Stepmothers.
So. To any stepmothers who may feel that the stepmother population is unfairly represented in our book: We dont know what to say to you. Sorry? Honestly we have no idea why we ended up with such horrible stepmothers. Fate? Karma? Bad luck? In any case, we had enough good fate/karma/luck to meet one another at boarding school and form a family. Because the existence of the Poison Apples helped us realize something: You have to take your fate/karma/luck into your own hands. You cannot let the evil stepmother win.
This is our story.
To the good stepmothers: Keep on keepin on. We hope to meet you someday.
To the bad stepmothers: You have been warned.
Signed,
The Poison Apples
BOOK REVIEWS
Praise for The Poison Apples: " Archer makes a wickedly funny debut...Alternating among their perspectives with considerable wit... The teens initial misjudgments of one another fuel much of the initial comedy, while Archers knowing prose gives even the old-fashioned moral a hip ring." - Publishers Weekly, Starred review "...friendship forms the core of Archers tender, funny debut novel... Writing in the alternating voices of the three girls, Archer displays a sure sense of teens dialogue, anxieties, and, best of all, humor...Clever, hip, and satisfying, this will attract many readers, who will look forward to the sequels suggested at the storys close." - Booklist "This pleasant read offers food for thought for even the most reluctant reader. The strength of the story lies in its realistic portrayal of teen insecurity and the need to have love and structure in a seemingly hostile world....Archer smoothly alternates the point of view among the three girls, offering insight into how their different personalities cope with hardship. Fans of Ann Brashares Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will enjoy this tale of feisty young women on the brink of adulthood."--VOYA "The Poison Apple members...are entertaining and their hyperbolic tales of woe might be whats most appealing to gossip-loving adolescents."--Kirkus Reviews "...Good fun." - School Library Journal "...funny, often poignant first novel...What sets the book apart from many in the boarding school genre is the underlying compassion these three retain, despite their new and uncertain circumstances... Readers will hope for more from this likable trio--and this talented storyteller."--Shelf Awareness "The Poison Apples is Lily Archers first novel and its a very good riff on how much good friends can save you when everything else goes to hell. Its also very funny and one of those pitch perfect reads for sharing with many girlfriends (whether they have stepmonsters of their own or not)."--Bookslut "There definitely seems to be sequel potential for this book and dare I say it might be even as big as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."--The YA YA YAs (blog) "...debut novelist Lily Archer handles the contemporary issues faced by families with delightfully wicked humor and a heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, forgiveness, and the true meaning of 'family.' Middle grade and teenage girls from around the country will laugh at and identify with the themes of this novel and the adventures of three unique main characters."--Midwest Book Review
Submit a book reviewFOR RELATED BOOKS
Juvenile Fiction Books :: Girls & Women Books
Juvenile Fiction Books :: Social Situations Books :: Friendship Books
Juvenile Fiction Books :: Social Issues Books :: Friendship Books
MORE BOOK INFO
ISBN: 0312367627
ISBN(13-digit): 9780312367626
Dewey Decimal: [Fic]
Library of Congress: 2007032634
Book Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Language: ENG
No. of Pages: 276
If you like this book, you may also enjoy:
