Ashley Hannigan doesn’t care about the prom, but she’s the exception. It’s pretty much the only good thing that happens in her urban Philadelphia high school, and everyone plans to make the most of it – especially Ash’s best friend, Natalia, who’s the head of the committee and has prom stars in her eyes.
Then the faculty advisor is busted for taking the prom money. Suddenly, Ash finds herself roped into putting together a gala dance out of absolutely nada. But she has help- from her large and loving (if exasperating!) family, from Nat’s eccentric grandmother, from the principal, from her fellow classmates. And in making the prom happen, Ash learns some surprising things about making her life happen, too.
Few adolescent girls will be able to resist Anderson’s modern fairy tale.
International Reading Association's Young Aduls' Choices List
New York Times Bestseller List
Junior Literary Guild Selection
Nominated to 12 state reading award lists
“Anderson’s bright, witty narrator is a self-professed ‘ordinary kid’, whose problems, while intensely felt, are as common as a burger and fries….[Readers] will love Ashley’s clear view of high-school hypocrisies, dating and the fierce bonds of friendship.” — Booklist
“This book will delight readers who want their realism tempered with fun.” — School Library Journal
“Few adolescent girls will be able to resist Anderson’s modern fairy tale.” — The Horn Book
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Has your school posted photos from your prom? Let the Mad Woman in the Forest know! Email queenlouise AT madwomanintheforest DOT com.
Prom Questions
Prom Questions
Why isn’t PROM depressing like your other books?
Because I was engaged to marry my childhood sweetheart when I wrote it and I was too happy to write a depressing book. Plus, I figured it was time somebody wrote a YA novel that featured a strong loving family. I was also really fed up with seeing working class people always portrayed as tragic victims.
What was it about the prom that drew you to the subject?
The prom has become our common, secular, coming-of-age ritual. I wanted to capture that moment on the dance floor when everyone is on top of the world. I also wanted to write about a “normal” girl who isn’t sure what she wants out of life and doesn’t know where to start looking.
Did you intend for it to be a little like Cinderella?
Yes! I chose the main character’s first name very carefully (think about it) as well as the mascot at her school. There is a fairy grandmother figure in the book (can you figure out who it is?), a magic dress, a prince (sort of) and a ball.
Did you attend your high school prom?
No! At least, not my senior prom. I was an exchange student living on a pig farm in the Denmark my senior year. But I went to a number of proms my sophomore and juniors years, plus I have four kids, so we’ve been through the whole ritual A LOT.
Were you like Ashley?
A little bit. I was not easily excited by anything like proms or pep rallies or school clubs. I think there is a lot of me in the character of Ashley’s mom, too, especially how she loves her husband and kids, even when they’re driving her crazy.
Newsletter
Prom
Ashley Hannigan doesn’t care about the prom, but she’s the exception. It’s pretty much the only good thing that happens in her urban Philadelphia high school, and everyone plans to make the most of it – especially Ash’s best friend, Natalia, who’s the head of the committee and has prom stars in her eyes.
Then the faculty advisor is busted for taking the prom money. Suddenly, Ash finds herself roped into putting together a gala dance out of absolutely nada. But she has help- from her large and loving (if exasperating!) family, from Nat’s eccentric grandmother, from the principal, from her fellow classmates. And in making the prom happen, Ash learns some surprising things about making her life happen, too.