Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

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Title:  Prom and Prejudice   Author:  Elizabeth Eulberg
ISBN:  9780545240772   Pages:  227
Publisher:  Point, New York, 2011

Readers Annotation:
Scholarship student Lizzie Bennet isn't interested in the prom like most of the girls attending Longbourn Academy. When Lizzie meets the insufferable Will Darcy, she might just change her mind.

Author Information:
Eulberg attended Syracuse University and went to the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Subsequently, Elizabeth started a career in the book business in New York City. Eulberg's passions include traveling, music, and reading. Her first book she wrote is The Lonely Hearts Club, which has recently been picked up by Mandalay Pictures for the movie rights.

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Portage, Wisconsin. Currently, Elizabeth lives outside of Manhattan along with her musical instruments. Eulberg is presently working on her third novel.

www.elizabetheulberg.com

Plot Summary:
Sharing a similar plot as the classic novel Pride and Prejudice, this story is set in the present day and has a few twists. Lizzie Bennet is an only child with a best friend and roommate Jane, who goes to a very prestigious but very snotty boarding school known as Longbourn Academy. Lizzie is an extremely talented pianist, which earns her a scholarship to the prep school. However, she is mistreated by a majority of the students who seem view her as an outsider. Her only other friend in the school is the second scholarship student, Charlotte. When Charles Bingley returns to London to date Jane, Lizzie accompanies Jane unwillingly to many high-class social events. Lizzie is even more loath to go when she meets Charles' friend William Darcy, the most pretentious and egotistical boy she has ever met.

Suddenly, Jane's relationship goes sour with the kind and gentlemanly Charles, which makes Lizzie miserable. To make matters worse, Lizzie's interest in Wick goes sour, and Jane's younger sister Lydia gets into enormous trouble. As life begins to unravel, Lizzie begins to see Darcy in a different light, and the obvious question arises: Will her pride and his prejudice get in the way of their happiness?

Critical Evaluation:
Reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, this light and fun read is perfect for Jane Austen lovers. Though the story imitates many of the characters in Jane Austen's work, Eulberg adds some of her own flavor, making the story line more interesting and appealing. The female protagonist is depicted as strong and intelligent, attracting readers who identify with a strong female lead. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, the reader is still taken on a journey highlighting the intense ups and downs of adolescence. The author also includes bullying in the narrative, which can be appreciated by many adolescents dealing with similar problems. Overall, this book is thoroughly enchanting.

Genre:  Romance

Curriculum Ties:  Bullying

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Lizzie's idol is a famous pianist, whom she gets to see in concert and then meet backstage, as a gift from Darcy. If you met your idol, what was or what do you think the experience would be like?
     2.  Lizzie attends a very prestigious and exclusive prep school, where she is somewhat ostracized because of her scholarship status. How do you feel about this snobbish type of behavior?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: I loved the real Pride and Prejudice, and this book was reminiscent of that wonderful love story. To balance my collection, I chose something that was a play off of a classic work.

 
Prom and Prejudice book trailer
 

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