The Queen of Second Place [Library Binding]

Laura Peyton Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2005

No matter how hard she tries, Cassie is always second best—in school, in life, and especially in love. And lately, Sterling Carter is always one pedicured step ahead of her. Cassie is used to it. Mostly. The problem is, right now she and Sterling both want Kevin Matthews. He’s only the hottest new student ever to grace their high school halls. And for the record, Cassie saw him first. But, naturally, Sterling wants him. So Cassie might as well just give up now.

Except who says Cassie can’t have an equal chance too? Just because she’s been in second place all her life doesn’t mean things can’t change. . . .


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–Sophomore Cassie Howard believes that everyone has a special talent. Hers has always been coming in second place. But when she falls in love at first sight with an irresistibly cute new guy at Hilltop High, she's determined to try to change. That the most beautiful, popular girl in school, Sterling Carter, also wants Kevin serves to counterpoint her efforts. It will take every trick up Cassie's sleeve to come out ahead of Sterling. As the book progresses, Cassie's goals change. Instead of merely wanting Kevin, she also becomes determined to run for Queen of the Snow Ball, and to be Kevin's date. By this point, Kevin and Sterling are already an item, and will be attending the Snow Ball together. Not only that, but Cassie has made every mistake imaginable in trying to win Kevin's heart. It would seem that she has no chance of achieving either of her wishes. In the hands of a lesser talent, a plot such as this could be pretty ho-hum. However, Roberts provides interesting facets and unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers turning pages. These very real teens explore the politics of popularity and the issues facing normal kids with humor and gusto. Roberts clearly takes the crown for this witty and inventive offering.–Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID
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.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Cassie Howard is the self-proclaimed "poster child for close-but-not-close-enough." When Hunky Kevin Matthews transfers to Hilltop High, Cassie vows to be first in his heart, but her "simple" plan involves plagiarism, lies, and driving without a license. Worse, Cassie discovers that her schemes have just as much to do with besting her nemesis, Sterling "Fourteen-Karat" Carter, who also has a crush on Kevin--along with perfect teeth, hair, and social standing. Roberts tells a good story, but she doesn't give us a heroine to love. Readers will admire Cassie's supportive friends and family more than the protagonist, who lies, cheats, and all but steals her way through the story--till she finally realizes how ridiculous her behavior has been. That said, the tone is light and funny, and if readers are able to connect with Cassie, they will enjoy her bumpy ride into Kevin's heart. Cindy Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 336 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (September 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038590200X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385902007
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,526,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Peyton Roberts is the author of numerous books for teens and tweens, including the Clearwater Crossing series, Ghost of a Chance, The Queen of Second Place, Queen B, and Green. Laura has degrees in both geology and English, and worked as a geologist before becoming a full-time writer. She and her husband live in San Diego, California.

www.LauraPeytonRoberts.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Peyton-Roberts/150644311617501

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Fun That Will Keep You Reading Through the Night..., November 29, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: The Queen of Second Place (Hardcover)

Cassie Howard is used to be second best. Ever since she was a small child, she has never been number one. Nope, she's always come just shy of holding the title of numero uno, and has always fallen into number two. And, lets face it, after years of riding someone else's coattails, Cassie plans on being number one at something. Something good. But with Sterling Carter, that dream seems near impossible to ever reach. Sterling Carter is perfect, from her glamorous tresses, right down to her pedicured toes. Sterling has never been second place in anything, which is why Cassie knows that her new endeavor will land her behind Sterling, once again. You see, Cassie and Sterling are both vying for the attentions of the same guy: Kevin Matthews, and while Sterling will do anything sneaky and underhanded to win his love, Cassie is about to take a trip down clueless lane, that is sure to teach her never to try and beat Sterling at her own game.

Laura Peyton Roberts has done an amazing job with THE QUEEN OF SECOND PLACE. Following closely in Meg Cabot's footsteps, Roberts' Cassie could easily be the step-sister of Cabot's Princess Mia. Cassie's story is told in a batch of useless essays written during her stint in detention, and narrated by Cassie herself, who brings readers through a tale of a twisted love affair, a boy who can halt any line - be it the lunch line, or the line at the movies - a girl who rips out the tags from her jeans so no one knows what size she truly is, and a guy who can find a perfect parking spot at the drop of a hat. Hilarious fun. Reading about the highs and lows Cassie encounters each day will make you as giddy as two shots of espresso!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just for the joy of reading, January 4, 2006

By 

Gary H. Cassel "Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews" (Baltimore, MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Queen of Second Place (Hardcover)

Sophomore Cassie Howard is used to being second place. She has been her whole life. When Cassie meets Kevin Matthews, the new boy, in her sophomore Honors English class, she vows that she will come in first this time. But when her school nemesis, Sterling Carter, decides to move in on her crush first, Cassie decides to take action. Cheating on school assignments, taking her father's car without permission, and betraying her friends all to try and win the attention of Kevin. Sterling, a.k.a. Fourteen-Karat, is of course one of those perfect girls that everyone wants to be best friend of and secretly despises. Through her desperate schemes, Cassie ends up making a mess of everything-including losing her best friends along the way. Will the queen of second place finally win what she wants most? As Cassie tries to solve the problems she created, she learns the meaning of real friends, her own capabilities, as well as self-confidence.

The Queen of Second Place by Laura Peyton Roberts is a great book to read on a rainy day. Although the plot is clichéd and Cassie's antics are not surprising, Roberts makes the novel enjoyable through her creative writing. Even though the reader can predict exactly what will happen next, there's still something in this novel that makes the reader want to read on. If you're the person that enjoys a pointless novel just for the joy of reading, then this is the book for you.

Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations

4.0 out of 5 stars Really Enjoyed it!, August 20, 2006

By 

M. E. Ford (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen of Second Place (Hardcover)

This is a good book. You really feel like you know the main character. Almost as if she's your friend. After I read this book I picked up this author's second book, Queen B, but haven't finished it yet. I also picked up another book, Alpha Dog by Jennifer Ziegler, to read during the summer and thought it was great. It's another book about a girl who feels she's never quite good enough.