How Not To Spend Your Senior Year [Turtleback]

Cameron Dokey (Author)

Book Description

Rule #1: If at all possible, don't pretend to be something you're not. Specifically, don't play dead. Trust me on this one. I did it, so I should know.

Jo O'Connor has spent her whole life moving around. When it comes to new schools, there's not a trick in the book about starting over that Jo doesn't know. But life is about to teach her a new trick: how to disappear entirely.

Rule #2: Always expect the Spanish Inquisition, no matter what anyone else does.

They have to move again. Now. This very night. Jo knows better than to argue. Her dad is the key witness in a major case against a big-time bad guy. But Jo just can't resist one last visit to the school where she's been so happy. All she wants is to say good-bye. That can't cause any problems, can it?

Rule #3: Never assume you can predict the future.

Now Jo's one last visit has landed her smack in the middle of a ghost story. Specifically, her own. By the time it's over, she'll have a whole new set of rules about what's real, what's make-believe, and -- most of all -- what's important.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up--Because she and her father are in a witness-protection program, Jo O'Connor has moved, again. She's done it so often that she has a flawless system: blend in. Unfortunately, on her first day as a senior at Beacon High in Seattle she breaks her own rule, with dire consequences. She's noticed by Alex Crawford, BMOC, and is sucked into a whirlwind of friends and popularity. It's not her plan at all, but she finds that she's enjoying herself, and she may even consider being Alex's prom date. Before she can even ask her dad for money for a dress, she discovers that they have to move again. This time, though, she has to pretend to die because her father is the key witness in an important trial, and those he's testifying against want him dead. Then, she goes back to her old school, in disguise as Claire Calloway while keeping in contact with Alex as "Jo's ghost." Sound confusing? It isn't as long as readers are willing to suspend disbelief that Jo won't be recognized by everyone who has seen her picture in the paper (even with her wig and new name). Those looking for a quick, easy read, complete with Shakespeare references and a ghost being elected prom queen, will love this book. With its appealing cover and lighthearted story, it's ideal for reluctant readers as well.--Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Cameron Dokey is the author of nearly thirty teen novels.  She lives in Seattle, Washington. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (August 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606311424
• ISBN-13: 978-0606311427
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Addition to the Teen Fiction Genre, December 28, 2003

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Not to Spend Your Senior Year (Romantic Comedies (eBook)) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jo O'Connor feels that she's finally settling in to her new house in Seattle, and her new school, Beacon High. She's met a great new guy, Alex Crawford, who genuinely likes her, and who she actually likes back. And for the first time in her life she actually has a best friend, Elaine Golden. All that is just fine until Jo's father tells her a story. One that will change her life, and her complete identity, forever, and will force her to leave Beacon High (under very strange rules), and force her to attend a new high school, and move to a new apartment, only a few miles away, under the name Claire Calloway. That's all just fine and dandy, until Alex starts seeing Jo's ghost, and Claire's (Jo) got to find a way to stop the mass-hysteria that has begun at Beacon High over her strange disappearance.

Being a fan of Cameron Dokey's THE STORYTELLER'S DAUGHTER and BEAUTY SLEEP, I just new that I had to check out HOW NOT TO SPEND YOUR SENIOR YEAR. Let me tell you, this is one of the funniest, and most original books to hit the teen fiction genre in quite some time. Jo (Claire) is a smart, and funny chracter, who's witty one-liners keep you rolling on the floor laughing. While her friends quirky personalities hold your interest, and keep you begging for more. Reminiscent of the new SmoochYA series, the Simon Pulse Teen Romantic Comedy series will keep you wishing for the perfect guy to come along, while at the same time have you howling as you turn the pages. A must-have for all. Especially teenage girls.

Erika Sorocco

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Not to Sepnd Your Senior Year, November 25, 2004

By 

Jessica (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Not to Spend Your Senior Year (Romantic Comedies (eBook)) (Mass Market Paperback)

Josephine Claire Calloway O'Connor is very good at blending in. After repeatedly moving from place to place from the time her mother died to her senior year in high school, it was something she learned to pick up on. Since she never expected to stay in one place for too long, she rarely tried to make friends and never unpacked her suitcases. It didn't make sense to her, if she was just going to leave anyway.

When she moves into a house Seattle, she doesn't expect anything to be any different. But on her first day at Beacon High, she meets a fantastic new guy, who happens to be school president, on every sports team at the school, and a complete 'Big Man on Campus.' Jo's experience with people like Alex Crawford is that they always ignore new girls like her. But not only was she wrong about this, she also fell in love with him. Or, as much in love as you can be when you're a senior in high school. For the first time in a long time, Jo has a guy who she likes, who likes her back. She also has a best friend, Elaine Golden. And everything seems to be going perfect.

At least, until her dad tells her that they will fake their deaths, because they are part of the witness protection program and the guy Jo's dad has been trying to put in jail for the longest time is trying to kill them. Which, actually, he has been trying to do ever since Jo's first move, and is the reason she has always had to move so often.

So Jo and her dad get in a 'car crash,' and she starts all over again at Royer High, this time as Claire Calloway. Jo gets a complete makeover to ensure that no one realizes her true identity. However, Jo cannot let Alex go without saying goodbye. So she visits Alex on what she thinks will be her last time at Beacon High. Alex sees her but he does the thing she last expects: he panics. Well, that and he tells everyone he's seen Jo O'Connors ghost.

AS the new star reporter of Royer High, Claire (Jo) is forced to spend more time at Beacon to report on the students' reactions to Jo's 'ghost.' Claire also meets Mark London, a pushy, smart, and sarcastic reporter, who just happens to think Claire Calloway and Jo O'Connor are the same person. And if anyone can figure out the truth, Mark can. Which is a thing Claire badly does not want to happen. So she tries to get rid of Jo's ghost once and for all.

A thing that is way harder than it sounds. Through it all Jo/Claire learns some important lessons about life, love, and...ghosts.

Just like all of Cameron Dokey's other books, this was fantastic. It was completely original and totally exciting, even without the sword clashing, magic wielding heroines that I usually read about. Jo's adventure was just as hard to put down. With her truely funny comments and witty comebacks, Jo is one character that you will never forget. This book, along with others in the Simon Pulse Teen Romantic Comedy series will keep you laughing and searching for the perfect guy would take your breath away. At least, if he were real. This is the perfect book, one that everyone should get the chance to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funny, original teen romance, August 13, 2006

By 

Alexandra (Medford, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Not to Spend Your Senior Year (Romantic Comedies (eBook)) (Mass Market Paperback)

Josephine Claire Calloway O'Connor has spent her entire life since she was eight moving from city to city. Between third grade and senior year she was in at least two schools each year. Now she's in her second as a senior, and she's hoping that it's her last first day of school. Things start differently. Instead of blending in, she's immediately noticed by the BMOC (big man on campus). She really likes Alex, and he seems to like her. She makes friends for the first time in a long time, and she's loving her life. Then her dad announces that they have to leave. Now. As Jo learns the details of their constant moves and tries to resurrect her old life, things spin out of control. Jo struggles to right everything, while also trying to keep her old- and new- life secret. This book kept you in suspense and turning pages until the end. This is part of the Simon Romantic Comedies series, and I think it is one of the better novels.