Hazing Meri Sugarman [Paperback]

M. Apostolina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2005

Poor, dear Cindy Bixby is a total loser. Has been all her life. But now as she enters college, Cindy hopes to shed her loser ways -- get some friends and maybe even (dare she think it?) get a boyfriend. Her first move out of loserdom: pledge Alpha Beta Delta.

There Cindy meets Meri Sugarman. Meri is not only beautiful, she controls the sorority, a position that gives Meri more power than...well, maybe not God, but certainly any person within a one-hundred-mile radius. (How, you ask? Think of today's technology and what you could do with it if you were so (illegally) inclined. Get the picture? ;-) )

Meri teaches Cindy that she, too, can be perfect. She can be beautiful, sexy, and popular, influence teachers and politicians, and even have a boyfriend!

But when the new Cindy crosses into Meri-only territory (hint: where there's trouble, look for boy), new -- very scary -- Meri emerges. And Cindy realizes that behind all that beauty is an evil beast that must be stopped.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–College freshman Cindy Bixby equates popularity with belonging to a sorority. She pledges Alpha Beta Delta and idolizes her sisters. Their president, Meri Sugarman, is the most revered and powerful student on campus. These girls get all A's without going to class, have the best parties, and are flown by helicopter to Vegas whenever they desire. Cindy overlooks the fact that they call her Bow Wow (she thinks it's a term of endearment) and give her horribly humiliating tasks. When Meri's former boyfriend shows an interest in Cindy, however, she is kicked out of the sorority and learns that Meri will hurt anyone to get what she wants. Cindy and her friends then set out to eliminate the evil coed's power over the school. Alpha Beta Delta is more like the mafia than a sorority; the girls routinely use wiretapping, blackmail, and torture. Some readers may find the story darkly humorous, but most will find it too ridiculous to believe.–Stephanie L. Petruso, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Odenton, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 10-12. Apostolina is a former creative director of Miramax, so it's no surprise that his first novel for youth seems to borrow from film--campy teen horror films, that is. Written in a diary format, the novel follows awkward college freshman Cindy Bixby through her descent into sorority hell. Cindy is desperate to belong to Alpha Beta Delta, where her gorgeous mother was once a sister, but as she endures increasingly sadistic hazing rituals (and falls for hot football player Keith), she gradually realizes that Meri Sugarman, the glimmering, Chanel-clad house president, is actually a dangerous psychopath. Vulgar language and some sexual references would rate this at least a PG-13, if not an R, in theaters, and Apostolina doesn't seem to be trying for anything close to reality in the cliched dialogue, two-dimensional characters, and over-the-top scenarios. But the almost gleefully depicted extremes of misery, torture, and retribution are reminiscent of teen movies such as Heathers, and readers who like ink-black satire might enjoy this. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (December 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141690610X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416906100
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Read M. Apostolina's latest novel SHAKE IT DOWN on your favorite e-reader today!

M. Apostolina is the author of SHAKE IT DOWN, HAZING MERI SUGARMAN, MERI STRIKES BACK and DARK CINDY. HAZING MERI SUGARMAN was nominated for an ALA (American Library Association) Award, while "The Horn Book" called both HAZING MERI SUGARMAN and MERI STRIKES BACK "Near classic!"

Previously, Apostolina was Head of Creative Affairs at Miramax Films in NYC and London. Later embarking on a writing career, Apostolina has been busy a novelist and a working screenwriter in Hollywood.

Follow M. Apostolina on Twitter @MApostolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An amusing story about overcoming the biggest bully around, February 24, 2006

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hazing Meri Sugarman (Paperback)

National sorority rules don't apply to megalomaniac Meri Sugarman, who has held a reign of terror over the sorority and all of Rumson River University since her freshman year. Alpha Beta Delta is the best sorority on campus, and self-proclaimed loser Cindy Bixby, an ABD legacy (her mom was president of the same chapter), is determined to become a member despite Meri's ridiculous demands and histrionics. Cindy survives Pledge Week and moves into the house, where she discovers that Meri is more than just an egoist: she's downright evil.

Thanks to modern technology, Meri has dirt on everyone from alumni to students to professors, and she uses it to every malicious advantage. Some people, though, are sick of Meri, and they hatch a plan that will bring her down.

They hope.

Every sorority urban legend on the Internet is in this book, so if you're into over-the-top college horror stories, dive right in (to the bowl of pink Jello). You'll love to hate Meri and all of her wild demands, and you'll always wonder how Cindy is going to survive Meri's latest requests. As a sorority member, I have to say that there are a number of wild inaccuracies regarding sorority life in this book, but the story of overcoming the biggest bully around is one that everyone can enjoy.

A sequel is planned for July 2006.

--- Reviewed by Carlie Webber

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funniest book I've read in a long time!, April 28, 2006

By 

LolaChanel "G" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hazing Meri Sugarman (Paperback)

I have to admit this book started a bit slow for me. But it just kept getting better and better page after page. i couldn't put it down, it is so funny. Meri is such a witch and I'm so glad Cindy ended up with Meri's ex bf. the group's attempts to bring down Meri hardly seem to work, but they don't give up.
I loved this book. it is so goood. Read it!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the sequel!, January 26, 2006

By 

Stephanie M. Hale "Stephanie Hale" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hazing Meri Sugarman (Paperback)

This book is excellent, I didn't want it to end. Thank goodness there is a sequel coming soon! I don't like giving away details so just buy this book, you won't regret it!