Just when you were asking yourself, “why aren’t there more teen books about roller derby?” along comes Derby Girl by Shauna Cross. The novel’s main character Bliss Cavendar, an “indie-rock-loving misfit” feels like she must be adopted. Her mother is a beauty-pageant loving former Miss Blubonnet with visions of a family dynasty. Her father is a quiet, football-loving man who does anything Bliss’s mom says. Bliss longs for city life, but is trapped in tiny Bodeen, Texas working at the Oink Joint with her best friend and fellow misfit, Pash Amini. While shopping in Austin (or, “civilization” as Bliss thinks of it), she finds an ad for a Roller Derby League. She convinces Pash to go in search of cool people and “real boys.” And that’s where the fun begins.

This is a really quick read with snappy dialogue and some very funny moments. While Bliss seems to be trying a little too hard to be a snarky hip-chick, she does sound authentic to me, like a teen trying desperately to be cool…for that I could forgive her. The book covers standard teenage fare of love and betrayal, but in a setting and scenario that is fresh. A great pick for something fun to read on the beach or a rainy day.

I read this book because I’m a Nerdfighter, and the Nerdfighters have started a Blurbing Book Club where we are to come up with a blurb for the book in 10 words or less–the winners will get prizes–yay prizes!

Maureen Johnson has actually written a lot of books for young adults (including the awesome Keys to the Golden Firebird) and this is one of her strongest. The main character is Ginny, a 17-year old with an artist aunt who is important to her but often absent. During her last disappearance to Europe, Ginny’s aunt is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies. But in a typical move, her adventure-loving aunt leaves her 13 envelopes with very specific instructions to open them in order and follow the instructions before opening the next one. These instructions send her on a merry chase through London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Greece. She finds herself tracing the steps her aunt took, finding the people her aunt met, and trying to piece together what it is her aunt wanted her to learn. While Ginny struggles to find answers, she starts to ask questions about herself and her own priorities.

All in all, it is a fun, fast read with lots of great travel descriptions. And in case you’re wondering, my blurb for the Nerdfighters was:
“An archetypal artist challenges her hesitating niece to seek adventure.”
To read more blurbs, go to: http://nerdfighters.ning.com/main/search/search?q=blurbing+book+club.