Customer Reviews

Miss Educated: An Upper Class Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've read both the Upper Class & Miss Educated and I will say the authors are spot-on with their depictions of boarding school life. As a former boarder myself, I commend these three writers for being the first to truly capture the boarding school experience since Mr. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. In fact, I would say this Upper Class series is a worthy update to JD's masterpiece, succeeding where other depictions of high school life and teen angst have only produced cotton candy results. I'm looking forward to Parts III & IV, and hope to see this as an HBO series before long.

Surviving high school is one of the most challenging things in a teenager's life. And when you're a part of the society scene, trying to make a name for yourself in a part of the upper class, things are even more difficult. Not only do you have to dress and look the part, but you have to please everyone around you; which can be pretty difficult when you're competing against the glamorous student body at the prestigious Wellington Academy.

Parker Cole is an outsider. Sure, she's got the money. Sure she's got the name. Heck, she even has the platinum card. The one thing she doesn't have is a set place at Wellington's hierarchy table; and she's not sure if she actually wants one. Parker isn't your typical upper-crust girl. She's offbeat. Weird, if you will. Her wardrobe consists of wacky cowboy hats, flowing capes - even when the weather is warm - and a perfume mixture of violets that is certainly most displeasing to the senses. Especially the senses of those wearing Chanel No. 5. Luckily, Parker knows exactly what people think about her, and takes it in stride - agreeing with their beliefs. Even better, Parker has something else under her belt, the fact that she actually survived first semester at Wellington, and is determined to make it through second semester, and the rest of high school at the same institute of higher learning. But to do that, she'll have to let the "true" Parker come out. The one who wants to be recognized by a special guy.

Enter Chase Dobbs. Even after getting placed on academic probation, Southern gentleman, Chase, managed to make it through his first semester at Wellington, and return for the second. If he doesn't make it off of academic probation, however, he's going to be shipped off to military school - stat! As much as he'd love to misbehave for the next few years, the thought of military school is enough to straighten him up, and get him thinking straight. But now that he's back at Wellington, Chase keeps finding himself at the center of controversy, with a series of distractions and mini-disasters that always happen to take place when he's around. One of the biggest distractions, however, is his new lab partner, Parker. Aloof, strange, and totally absorbed in getting Wellington done and over with, Chase finds something extremely unique and refreshing about her, and would love to get to know her better. A few well-placed, unexpected events may just help him get his wish.

So many book series manage to start off with a bang, then slowly slip downhill, taking your interest away with them. The same cannot be said for Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne, and Caroline Says' MISS EDUCATED. Once again, these three authors have told the story of the rich and beautiful. The ones striving for perfection to please their parents, teachers, and even their friends. The ones determined to make it out of Wellington, diploma in hand, alive. And they've done a wonderful job of it. I adore how Brown, Materne, and Says turned the tables, and focused on two new characters - one of which being a boy - bringing some fresh blood to the storyline, and providing someone new to root for. Parker is a breath of fresh air, with her offbeat ways, and aloof persona; while Chase is the irresistible bad boy attempting to turn good, whom you can't help but fall head over heels for. This sequel sizzles!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

In The Upper Class, we were introduced to Laine Hunt and Nikki Olivetti. Now it's time to meet Parker Cole and Chase Dobbs.

Parker had established herself to be somewhat of a loner at Wellington. With basically just one true friend, Parker's outfit choices and the way she interacts with the world definitely make her stand out. Now that summer is over, Parker wants to create a new image to go along with her new year at Wellington.

Chase is on the brink of being sent to military school, which he would be easily accepted into since his father is on the board. It's his father who threatens Chase with military school, after he received numerous calls and complaints about Chase's behavior at Wellington. All Chase has to do to avoid this drastic measure is to act more mature and get good grades -- basically, straighten up. This doesn't prove to be too easy though, since all of his friends can easily encourage Chase to get off track.

In the first day of Limnology 101, Parker and Chase get paired up to be lab partners. Both do not approve of this match, since they see one another in a very bad light. Ironically, Parker and Chase sort of need each other, if they want to accomplish their goals. If only they could get along first.

The perfect follow-up to the first in the series, MISS EDUCATED isn't only smart but also hilarious. Boarding school never looked so good.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Being "West Coast" by nature, my initial thoughts of the series were biased. Miss Educated has proven me right once again. I found the read enjoyably unrelatable. The mystique and intrigue of the "East Coast" kept me turing page after page. I am definitely looking forward to the next and the next and the next in this series.

Fun read for all ages! Def this year's stocking stuffer for my sisters and all my girlfriends. Hoping a book 3 is out soon.. can't get enough of Wellington.

If you are like me, I love these kind of books. The Private Series is one i recommend, actually better than these. Anywho, I couldn't exactly remember what had happened in the first book, and so when they never mentioned "what happened that one night" I was lost. It was interesting to see Parker in a different perspective because I always saw her as really REALLY weird but I'll just say this book was alright. It seemed like a transition book, and the next will have a lot more action if you will.

it was ok . Kind of slow . have to read the other books to get it . Some parts you might have to read over . It had almost every mood in it(sadness anger confusion .... ) At times i could feel them telling each other off . It is a great read one of my favs . Cant wait for the next book .

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my 12 yr old niece. What a mistake! The sexual content in this book is so not appropriate for this age level. I wonder why there is no grading system for books like there is for movies, video games, and music CDs. I don't believe this is the norm for most kids and I feel very badly for anyone whose life is this devoid of healthy family involvement. The back cover synopsis didn't give me a clue to the raunchy content. Normal 12 yr olds don't even know or understand the content described in this book. It shouldn't be for young girls...it should only be for adults.