Second Helpings
by Megan McCafferty

    SECOND HELPINGS by Megan McCafferty
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  4/22/03
    Publisher:  Three Rivers Press
    Reviewed by:  Amanda Dissinger
    Rating:  5 Stars


    In SLOPPY FIRSTS, Jessica Darling dealt with adjusting to life without her best friend, Hope, having feelings
    for the school rebel, Marcus, and finding who she really is as a person. You know, typical teenager stuff.

    In the sequel to SLOPPY FIRSTS, SECOND HELPINGS, Jess finds herself dealing with even more problems
    as she starts her senior year of high school. After spending the summer at SPECIAL, a summer writing camp for
    (you guessed it) special high school students, Jess decides that she wants to 1). become a writer and 2). attend
    the prestigious Columbia University in New York City.

    The only problem is that she now has the tough job of convincing her parents.

    With Len Levy, her brilliant competition for Valedictorian, crushing on her, and her determination to get over
    Marcus with only the help of her blonde Barbie doll neighbor, Bridget, Jess gets more than she bargains for as
    she struggles to plan her future and rediscover her past.

    In my opinion, SECOND HELPINGS is even better than the terrific prequel SLOPPY FIRSTS. Through her
    shocking and entertaining observations about everything from her high school peers to “hot” writing instructors,
    readers identify with Jess’s plights as she tries to reach her dream of getting out of New Jersey suburbia.
    Another touching book, another realistic story, another fantastic read from Megan McCafferty.