Books with author Abbey McDonald

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’sfeelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ‘80s indie rock— all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! Aheartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelpguide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

The meek don't inherit a thing. Nice girls win nothing but regret. Virtue is wholly overrated. If you don't do it, some other girl will. Kat Elliot has spent her life fighting against phony schmoozing-and it's led her nowhere. A rebellious music journalist, Kat is down on her dreams when her ex–best friend Lauren swishes back into town. Ten years ago, Lauren dumped Kat for high school gold: popularity. Now Lauren wants to make amends by teaching Kat the secret to her success: The Popularity Rules, a decades-old rule book that transformed Lauren that fateful summer. Broke and desperate, Kat reluctantly agrees to a total makeover-what does she have to lose? She's gotten nowhere on her own. Maybe becoming someone new is just what she needs.

Can a boy-hungry Jersey girl survive the wilds of Canada with her eco-identity intact? A witty new YA novel from the author of SOPHOMORE SWITCH. (Age 14 and up)Jenna may hail from the ’burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. So when her mom suggests they spend the summer at Grandma’s Florida condo, Jenna pleads instead to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada. Jenna is psyched at the chance to commune with this nature she’s heard about -- and the cute, plaidwearing boys she’s certain must roam there. But after a few run-ins with local wildlife (from a larger-than-life moose to Susie’s sullen Goth stepdaughter to a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don’t play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers Jenna amusing tips on navigating the wilderness -- but can she learn to navigate the turns of her heart?

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.(Age 14 and up)They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

“Fans of the original will enjoy exploring the reimagined characters, relationships, and dramas, while readers uninitiated in Austen can still appreciate the spirited romantic ride.”— Publishers WeeklyHallie and Grace Weston have never exactly seen eye to eye. So when they are suddenly uprooted from San Francisco, the two sisters take to life in shiny Beverly Hills in typically different styles. Shy, responsible Grace still yearns for her old life — and the maybe-almost-crush she left behind. Meanwhile, drama queen Hallie is throwing herself headlong into life —and love — in LA. But is Hallie blinded by the stars in her eyes? And is Grace doomed to forever hug the sidelines? Abby McDonald gives LA the Jane Austen treatment in this contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility.

“Inspirational and satisfying, offering genuine hope for the unrequited romantic.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksSeventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. Garrett Delaney has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life two years ago and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deepblue eyes). A heartbroken Sadie has finally had enough. It’s time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of friends, and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

Abby McDonald gives L.A. the Jane Austen treatment in this contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility.Hallie and Grace Weston have never exactly seen life eye to eye. So when their father dies and leaves everything to his new wife, forcing the girls to pack up and leave San Francisco for a relative’s house in shiny Beverly Hills, the two sisters take to their changing lot in typically different styles. Shy, responsible Grace manages to make friends with an upbeat, enterprising girl named Palmer but still yearns for her old life — and the maybe-almost-crush she left behind. Meanwhile, drama queen Hallie is throwing herself headlong into life — and love — in L.A., spending every second with gorgeous musician Dakota and warding off the attention of brooding vet Brandon. But is Hallie blinded by the stars in her eyes? And is Grace doomed to forever hug the sidelines?

An uptight Brit and a hard-partying American swap lives in the smartest comedy of the season.Take an administrative snafu, a bad breakup, and "The Hot-Tub Incident," and you’ve got two thoroughly unprepared sophomores on a semester abroad. For American party girl Tasha, an escape to Oxford may be a chance to ditch her fame as a tabloid temptress, but wading Uggs-deep in feminist theory is not her idea of a break. Meanwhile, the British half of the exchange, studious Emily, nurses an aching heart amid the bikinis and beer pong of U.C. Santa Barbara. With an anthropologist’s eye for detail and a true ear for teen-speak, Abby McDonald crafts a funny, fast-paced, poignant look at survival, sisterhood, and the surprising ways we discover our true selves.

"McDonald composes a fun summer read, examining the conflict between sticking to one’s beliefs and learning the art of compromise." —Publishers WeeklyJenna may hail from the ’burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. When she gets a chance to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada, Jenna is psyched to commune with this nature she’s heard about — and the cute, plaid-wearing boys she’s certain must roam there. But after some run-ins with local wildlife (a larger-than-life moose, Susie’s sullen Goth stepdaughter, a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don’t play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers amusing tips on navigating the wilderness, but can Jenna learn to navigate the turns of her heart?

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious novel.Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to ‘80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

Can a boy-hungry Jersey girl survive the wilds of Canada – with her eco-identity intact? A witty new YA novel from the author of Life Swap.Seventeen-year-old Jenna may hail from the ‘burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. So when her mum suggests they spend the summer at Grandma’s Florida condo, Jenna pleads to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada. Jenna is psyched at the chance to commune with this nature she's heard so much about – and the cute, plaid-wearing boys she's certain must roam there. But after a few unpleasant run-ins with local wildlife (from a moose called Madge to Susie's sullen Goth stepdaughter to a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don't play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers Jenna amusing tips on navigating the wilderness, and those who call it home – but can she learn to navigate the surprising turns of her heart?