Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

The contestants of the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought it was going to be a fun trip to the beach.  That was before their plane had engine trouble and it crashed on an apparently deserted island.  Now there are only 13 contestants still alive -- no one else survived the crash!

What are they to do?

Explore the island?  Construct shelters?  Search for food?

Or should they practice their dances, interview questions, and talents for when they are rescued and they compete in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant?


This was a wonderfully snarky book that most teen girls would love.  It somehow manages to make fun of all the girl stereotypes while still portraying the girls realistically and kindly.  The many breaks for "commercials" for beauty products are hilarious.

For an additional boost of fun, try the audio version of the book read by the author Libba Bray.  She portrays each girl with a completely distinctive voice.  She also includes a section at the end of the audio about the writing of the book and its inspiration.