Danielle Reads

The Queen of Kentucky

By Alecia Whitaker

Published: January 2, 2012
Poppy, 384 pages

This time, I've included the video to the book trailer above rather than the Amazon description, because it's so cute and shows what the book is about just as well!

 

I flew through this first novel from Alecia Whitaker for so many reasons. It's adorable, fun, and so relate able -- at least for me! I connected with protagonist Ricki Jo, or Ericka as she now wants to be called, who is a small town, farm girl in Kentucky who desperately wants to fit in at her new high school. She decides she wants to be popular, dress differently, and of course snag the boy of her dreams -- all before Homecoming. Fair warning: this book is as YA as it gets. It has its moments of petty drama and immaturity, but the storyline and characters are completely realistic. 

I was enthralled by the small town, country setting -- let's face it, I found myself jealous! The ups and downs and friend drama that Ricki Jo Ericka goes through reminded me of my own high school experience of trying to fit in and discover who you are, without changing yourself to please others. Be prepared to connect with a cast of memory-inducing fourteen-year-olds and have a few laughs and tears along the way -- just like real high school.