Books with author Laura Roberts

“Suspenseful and often witty, this book makes losing by a hair seem almost fun.” —Publishers WeeklyCassie Howard truly believes that every human being on earth is born with one special talent. Unfortunately, hers is taking second place. No matter how hard she tries, she’s always second best . . . in school, in life, and especially in love.When Cassie discovers new-boy-in-town Kevin Matthews, she wants him on sight. But so does Sterling Carter, a ridiculously beautiful preppy princess and Cassie’s enemy since freshman year. Sterling is the kind of girl who always gets it all, and Cassie . . . isn’t. Is there any point even trying when the first fifteen years of Cassie’s life have proven she’s doomed to fail? Can the Queen of Second Place ever truly win?With fresh determination and the support of friends whose not-so-glorious talents range from parking cars to whistling, Cassie sets out to capture Kevin’s heart and make herself first . . . at last. “Roberts clearly takes the crown for this witty and inventive offering.” —School Library Journal“Light and funny.” —Booklist“The Queen of Second Place hits a home run.” —San Diego Union–TribuneFlorida Teens Read ListYoung Adult Sequoyah MasterlistA New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age Let’s just be clear on one thing: this wasn’t about the dance. It was never about the dance. But now Sterling had me. If Kevin didn’t ask me to the formal, I was going to look like the world’s biggest loser. Worse, if he asked her, I was going to be the world’s biggest loser. I’m pretty much used to coming in second, but coming in second to Sterling Carter is more than any human being should be asked to bear. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen. A girl has to draw the line somewhere.

“Hilarious light reading for any girl pestered by peer pressure.” —bn.comTo B or to Bee?Cassie Howard has been second best all her life, but as Snow Queen runner-up—with a cute new boyfriend, to boot—she’s determined to reach new social heights this semester. The time has come to move from Queen B to Queen Bee.But how is she supposed to fly when life keeps pinching her wings? Her lovesick brother is determined to mortify her in public. She’s in charge of her school’s talentless talent show, where at any moment someone could pull back the curtain and expose her (many) insecurities. The people she cares about most are mad at her. (Again.) And her nemesis, Sterling, has an evil new clone, one who’s making a hobby of humiliating Cassie—and a beeline for Cassie’s boyfriend.Does being popular mean you have to sting like a bee? Or can a girl become queen without losing her honey?Let the buzz begin! “Short chapters with cute titles . . . imagine a novelized blend of Pretty in Pink and Mean Girls.” —Booklist“A fun read that should appeal to teens going through the first joys and trials of young love.” —KLIATT, starred review “A super summer read.” —Sweet 16A New York Public Library Book for the Teen AgeA Flamingnet Top Choice Award WinnerFor the first time in my life, I have an actual shot at being someone at school. I’ve always been more of a Queen B than a Queen Bee—you know, B as in not A. Second tier. (Fine, if you have to get technical, sometimes even lower.) But this year, out of nowhere, I have a chance to be a real Queen Bee.Not that I intend to be snobby, or cliquish, or any of the other rude things sometimes stapled to that label. I just want people to love me.

This Clearwater Crossing Special Edition recaps the events of books #1 through 4 from the unique viewpoints of main characters Jenna, Melanie, Leah, and Nicole. A fun and easy way to catch up on the early action, or to revisit books you've already read.___________________________Jenna: I really do want to be a good person. I try my hardest. But things happen, and sometimes I mess up. You try living with five sisters.Nicole: Sometimes I think no guy is ever going to like me. It doesn't matter how much weight I lose, or how I wear my makeup, or even how I dress. Because I’m not good enough, inside, and I think somehow they sense it.Melanie: Everyone thinks that being Melanie Andrews must be so great. Well, let me tell you—it’s not. Not even close. Leah: Meeting Miguel is the best thing that ever happened to me. But does being so wrapped up with him mean I’m missing out on something else? Because I promised myself I’d never miss anything for a guy. Ever. ___________________________The entire Clearwater Crossing series:#1 Get a Life#2 Reality Check#3 Heart & Soul#4 Promises, Promises#5 Just Friends#6 Keep the Faith#7 New Beginnings#8 One Real Thing#9 Skin Deep#10 No Doubt#11 More Than This#12 Hope Happens#13 Dream On#14 Love Hurts#15 What Goes Around#16 Tried & True#17 Just Say Yes#18 Prime Time#19 Now & Always#20 Don’t Look BackSpecial Edition: The Diaries

Jesse’s finally going to see his brothers after all this time . . . but will this be the awesome reunion he’s banking on? Miguel is having the summer of his life–helping out at the day camp, working at the hospital, and spending every spare minute with Leah. To top it off, he and his family are about to move into a house of their own. Can life really be this good?Jesse can barely believe that he and Melanie are finally together. So how can he leave her? Sure, he knows he promised to visit his older brothers in California . . . but promises are meant to be broken, aren’t they? Nicole’s mom is having a baby! How could her parents do this to her? Don’t they know how embarrassing this will be? More importantly, don’t they realize they could all end up with another Heather on their hands?

Nicole is tired of doing backflips to stay in good graces--and she's not the only one. It was only a matter of time before someone gave Court a dose of her own medicine . . . but did it have to be on prom night? Jesse can't believe he was foolish enough to ask Melanie to the CCHS prom. He's wasted way too much time dreaming of holding her in his arms--hasn't she made her feelings about him brutally clear?Melanie tried her hardest to get Nicole on the cheering squad. Maybe that's why she feels so responsible now that her friend didn't make it. First runner-up isn't good for anything. Unless somebody drops out. . . .

Melissa Soul is looking forward to a long, hot California summer—one sunny enough to make her forget her parents’ impending divorce and the ugly “For Sale” sign in her front yard. Her goals are pretty basic: 1) avoid babysitting her annoying little brother, 2) hang out at the beach with her best friend, Chloe, and 3) finally exchange a few intelligent words with Chloe’s brainscramblingly cute older brother, Chaz.But all that changes fast when Melissa meets the new guy in Chloe’s life. Mysterious and magnetic, James haunts Chloe’s 1920s mansion—and Melissa’s dreams. She falls for him so hard that soon everything else falls away . . . including the heartbreaking possibility that he might be in love with her best friend. Is falling in love with a ghost a dead end? Or is there a ghost of a chance?“A lighthearted story that is told with humor and sensitivity.” —Cedar Rapids Gazette “Melissa, as narrator, addresses readers in an engaging, endearing, and inclusive way.” —School Library Journal“Spiced with ghostly magic and adolescent wit.” —Publishers WeeklyA New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Who’s about to say “I do” in Clearwater Crossing?Caitlin and David are engaged! Jenna has lots of great ideas to help make Caitlin’s special day perfect. If only Cat would listen!Ben is head over heels about Bernie, and she actually likes him, too. As long as she thinks he’s cool, everything will be fine–which is why she can never, ever, meet his parents. When Ben’s mom joins the weight loss clinic where Bernie works, Ben understands the old saying: Desperate times call for desperate measures.Leah’s parents trust her. That’s why they went on vacation and left her home alone. No one would ever find out if she wasn’t alone at night. No one would ever even ask. . . .

The members of Eight Prime have been through a year full of ups and downs, but now summer is ending, and so is their time together. . . .Leah and Miguel are getting ready to start college apart, and Peter’s already feeling the pressure of senior year. Jenna can’t believe she’s going to be the oldest sister in the Conrad house now that Caitlin’s marrying David. Meanwhile, Ben’s still in starry-eyed shock over the fact that he has a girlfriend, Melanie and Jesse will be starting the new school year as a couple, and Nicole is starting to wonder if couplehood is all it’s cracked up to be! None of them can be sure what the coming year will bring. But they still have these last few days of summer. . . .

Leah and Miguel have been through everything together: his mom's kidney transplant, their broken engagement, even a friend's death. Their love has been tried and has triumphed over and over again. But now they're graduating and things are changing fast. Can their love stay true?Jenna loves the idea of learning CPR and water safety with Eight Prime--except everyone keeps messing up! How can they be camp counselors if they can't even get certified? Nicole Brewster, CCHS cheerleader! So what if her arrival on the squad was a little rocky? She has the entire summer to win her fellow cheerleaders over. Not that it ought to take that long!