Title: Beauty Queen
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
First published April 28, 2015
176 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780545746540 (ISBN10: 054574654X)
Rating: 4.27
Overview
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About the Author
Sarah was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She obtained an honors degree in English literature from McGill University and later moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises.
Her time in the romance publishing industry inspired her to write her debut novel, Milkrun.
Since then, Sarah has published several novels for adults, including Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me. She also wrote the popular middle-grade series Whatever After, as well as Upside-Down Magic with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins.
Additionally, she authored several teen novels, such as Bras & Broomsticks and Frogs & French Kisses, both part of the Magic in Manhattan series.
Sarah also co-wrote How to Be Bad with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart and See Jane Write with Farrin Jacobs, a guide to writing.
She co-edited two charity collections that became bestsellers: Girls’ Night In and Girls’ Night Out. Furthermore, she contributed to various anthologies, such as American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell.
Sarah is also one of the co-founders of OMG BookFest, an event that aims to celebrate books for early to middle-grade readers (ages 7-12). The festival brings together both commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for a fun-filled experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah’s books have been translated into 29 languages and optioned to Hollywood. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Editoral Review
Beauty Queen by Sarah Mlynowski is a witty and charming piece of contemporary fiction, first published on April 28, 2015. The novel is another addition to Mlynowski’s impressive portfolio of youth-oriented literature, and it stands out for its exceptional plot structure and character development.
The story follows the life of Mira, a high school student who becomes beauty pageant queen overnight. Mira is not pleased with this new role that has been thrust upon her, as she now has to navigate the harsh and often cruel world of beauty pageants and their scheming contestants.
Trying to balance her newfound fame with her desire to stay true to herself, Mira must learn the ropes of the pageant world while also dealing with her friends, family, and love life. Mlynowski is a master at crafting adolescent characters, and Mira is one of her best yet.
The protagonist is relatable, funny, and charming, and readers will find themselves rooting for her throughout the novel. Supporting characters are also fleshed out, and they all have unique identities and story arcs that add depth to the narrative.
The themes of the novel will resonate with readers of all ages. The book explores issues of individuality, self-esteem, friendship, and the unrealistic expectations placed on young girls by society.
Mlynowski does an excellent job of tackling these subjects with sensitivity and humor. However, the plot can be a bit predictable at times, as readers will likely see many of the twists and turns coming.
Also, some plot threads and character arcs are not as fleshed out as others, leading to some unfinished storylines. Still, these flaws do not detract from the overall quality of the novel.
Beauty Queen is an excellent novel for anyone looking for a light and entertaining read. It is perfect for fans of Mlynowski’s previous works, as well as for those who enjoy contemporary young adult literature.
The novel’s themes are important and relevant, and readers will appreciate the way they are presented. Despite some minor flaws, Beauty Queen is deserving of a 4 out of 5-star rating.
