When Paski's cartoonist father returns to Taos from a business trip, she knows her life is taking a turn for the worse. Paski and her father move to Southern California, where his comic strip has been optioned for a movie. At her new high school, haters rule--especially beautiful and cruel Jessica Nguyen. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Like the film Mean Girls, Valdes-Rodriguez's (The Dirty Girls Social Club, for adults) first YA novel offers a hip, contemporary close-up view of power struggles and social cliques at an upper-crust high school. Paski (short for Pasquala), a native of Taos, N. Mex., gets a dose of culture shock when she moves to Orange County, Calif., with her cartoonist father, who has just landed a plum animator job. The 16-year-old soon finds out that in her new environs, wealth and outer beauty seem to count for everything. ("The cars the kids drive are nicer than the cars grown-ups drive back in Taos," Paski observes when she catches her first glimpse of Aliso Niguel High.) Trouble arises when Paski's biking skills and good looks catch the notice of heartthrob Chris Cabrera, who dates Jessica Nguyen, the most popular (and feared) girl in the school. At the same time that Jessica threatens her ("Stay away from Chris or you'll be very, very sorry," the girl warns), Paski has a premonition that something terrible is going to happen to Jessica during an upcoming race. The appeal of the novel comes from the author's mix of alluring elements exotic, well-defined characters clad in designer fashions, luxurious settings, dark foreshadowing and intensely romantic scenes. Although the ending reflects fulfilled desires rather than real life, readers will likely take delight in seeing the good guys and the bad guys get exactly what they deserve. Ages 15-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 9 Up-When her counter-culture artist dad makes a film deal for his comic strip, 16-year-old Paski moves from comfy Taos, NM, to Orange County, CA. Her down-to-earth lifestyle hasn't prepared her for the pace of money-conscious southern California, or for the perfect-looking, incredibly wealthy teenagers who rule the school. Here, she is discriminated against not for being Mexican American, but for her digs (a luxury apartment). During a raucous party, her escort slips a date-rape drug in her soda, and she is pushed into the pool by beautiful, popular, and unflinchingly ruthless Jessica, resulting in a hospital visit. Still, Paski can't ignore the sizzling attraction she feels toward Jessica's boyfriend or the persistent visions (it's the family gift) that she's been having of Jessica wiping out during a motocross race. Valdes-Rodriguez includes all of the snarky hip commentary and girl-friend focus that defined her titles for adults, packing in explicit descriptions of clothing, home d?cor, and sex. Paski's first-person narrative is lively and honest, as she faces difficult situations and learns to trust her instincts. Her relationship with her permissive, doting father is described with humor and warmth. Basically, this is a chick-lit version of magical realism, as Paski, the golden Latina, uses her fabulous good looks, super mountain-biking skills, and psychic visions to arrive at the top of the heap.-Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Until recently, my dad seemed to realize he was a hopeless geek, says 16-year-old Pasquala Paski Archuleta, who moves from Taos to Orange County, California, after her cartoonist dad sells the film option for one of his stories; Paski's drifter mom is long gone, and Paski feels like an outsider at her new school, where money seems to matter most. Her mountain bike grounds her, and her exceptional stunts attract gorgeous Chris, the boyfriend of a treacherous queen bee. In her debut for youth, the author of The Dirty Girls Social Club (2003) ably elevates the shopworn story of a soulful teen who triumphs over mean girls. Heavy contrivances include Paski's psychic abilities, and many characters lack dimension. What will win over readers is hilarious, likable, resilient Paski, who is refreshingly both a tomboy and a romantic. Her musings about her Mexican heritage, family, love, friendship, and the joy of sports will pull a wide audience. Jock characters who pressure and objectify girls and dole out date-rape drugs, as well as Paski's sweet, physical romance suggest an older audience, who will hope for a sequel. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.