The Summer I Became a Nerd

Gr 7 Up—After being laughed off the stage when she dressed as her favorite comic-book character during a junior-high costume contest, Madelyne Summers vowed never to be uncool again. Now 17, she has worked tirelessly to develop her image as a typical blond cheerleader who dates the quarterback at her Louisiana high school and squeals when her favorite pop singer comes on the radio. However, underneath the popular facade Maddie is still a comic-book fanatic, but she will do anything to keep her nerd persona under wraps-even if it means she has to lie to her best friend, her parents, and herself. Enter Logan, the nerd who works at the local comic-book store, and Maddie's world is turned upside down. Will a summer romance with Logan spent reading comics and creating characters for live-action, role-playing games be enough to convince her that being herself is more important than popularity? Miller's debut novel is quick-paced and humorous. These qualities, along with a romance-driven plot, are enough to attract fans of the genre. However readers who aren't able to identify with the "nerd" side of Maddie and don't understand the comic-book references may be turned off. Still, Miller has created an engaging and entertaining story. Purchase where chick lit is a hit or with specific "closeted nerds" in mind.—Betsy Davidson, Cortland Free Library, NY