Not Now, Not Ever

September 1, 2017
Elliot heads to a genius camp under a pseudonym to win a scholarship.Narrator Elliot Gabaroche, 17, has two choices after high school: follow in the footsteps of her mom and enlist or appease her lawyer dad and stepmom with a "practical" degree at a school near her Sacramento home. But Elliot wants to go to Rayevich College to study science fiction. Ingenious Elliot rechristens herself Ever Lawrence and absconds to Oregon for a competitive summer camp at Rayevich. The prize? A full scholarship. There, Ever's unpleasantly surprised to discover her loathed cousin, Isaiah. Ever and Isaiah pretend to be twins, and an Importance of Being Earnest-esque comedy of hidden identities ensues. The refreshingly racially diverse cast (Ever and Isaiah are black, and other campers are people of color) of nerdy geniuses are serious geeks, and references to fandoms and sci-fi authors abound. Ever's in paradise in the library's sci-fi special collection, which doubles as a rendezvous spot with her adorkable love interest, white Brandon. But even though tall, athletic Ever excels, her cover is invariably blown. Further uncovered hidden identities bring the book to a close with an unexpected, but happy, twist. Smart, strong, and confident, Ever is a likable protagonist who doesn't fall into tired tropes and stereotypes, and fans of The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You (2016) will joyfully greet the return of major characters.Good geeky fun. (Fiction. 14-adult)

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October 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Elliot "Ever" Gabaroche Lawrence is a science fiction-loving, Oscar Wilde-quoting, running machine. Unlike most 17-year-olds, she has definite ideas about her future after high school. Unfortunately, those plans don't coincide with her mother's Air Force academy, or her father's law school intensive dreams. Elliot decides to risk the ire of both parents to seize her one chance at charting her own course. She signs up to compete in the Melee at Rayevich College. The Melee is an academic boot camp competition that pits genius against genius in a trial that will test their mental and physical capabilities. The winner of the Melee wins a scholarship to Rayevich College, which is the one school that would allow Elliot to fully explore her love of science fiction literature. Elliot must navigate the sabotage attempts of her fellow boot campers, an unexpected familial complication, a new love, and the plans of her parents in her effort to win her prize. This is wonderful book that explores the desire to be loyal to family and to create a space that belongs solely to oneself. Ever's is a fresh and welcome voice that unashamedly embraces her geekiness. The follow-up to the author's The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You is inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest and gives teens permission to simply be themselves. VERDICT This is an engaging title that would make an excellent addition to school and public libraries.-Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 Ellie Gabaroche desperately wants to attend Rayevich College, the only school that offers a major in science fiction literature. But her divorced parents have conflicting expectations: her mom wants her to follow the family's military tradition, while her lawyer father envisions a college near home. Ellie, however, finds her own opportunity: a summer camp that holds an academic competition that awards winners a full Rayevich scholarship. When she's accepted, Ellie pulls a Bunbury, the ruse employed in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and heads for camp under an assumed name. The story mainly focuses on life at a supernerdy summer camp, replete with friendships, rivalries, and romance. Yet, as in Wilde's play, complicated twists of identity ensue. Ellie also has personal identity issues to navigate as an African American in a racially mixed family and as an intellectual pulled toward military culture. Fans of Anderson's debut novel, The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You (2016), will recognize some characters and delight in the steady flow of witty banter and sci-fi references.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)