She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

 

She Drives Me Crazy

by Kelly Quindlen

LGBTQ+/Romance

Summary: 

        Scottie Zajac, high school senior, loses an important basketball game against the school's rival, who just so happens to have her ex-girlfriend on the team, too. Leaving the already-disappointing game, she gets into a fender bender with her archrival, a cheerleader named Irene. Scottie is devastated to learn she must chauffeur Irene to and from school until her car is repaired. This time together gives Scottie the opportunity to devise a fake-dating plan to get back at her ex-girlfriend and gain some popularity for herself and her basketball team, too. 

Justification:

        This is a great LGTBQ+ book to include in a library's collection, especially in areas where books with LGBTQ+ characters might be contested, as this book is absolutely squeaky-clean. The characters only briefly discuss their sexual pasts, and no details are exchanged. There is truly no reason why this should be contested in a high school collection. Additionally, the novel is not all about the coming-out experience. While books about coming out are crucial, just as important are novels about LGBTQ+ characters simply existing. 

Reader Response:

        I had such a great time reading this novel. The characters were sassy, fiery, and sweet, all at once. The characters had wonderfully supportive and affirming family members, and though they did experience some bullying at school related to their queerness, it was not the main conflict of the novel. I found this to be notable because just as much as the LGBTQ+ community needs books that depict a difficult coming-out or stories about those experiencing homophobia, they need wonderful, simple, non-traumatic stories that are just about queer love, too. This book supports all kinds of representation, which I greatly appreciate. One aspect about the main character, Scottie, that I really enjoyed was that she wasn't afraid to challenge her worldview or admit that she was wrong. She starts out the book thinking negatively about cheerleading, thinking that it isn't a true sport and that they are simply doing it for the sake of others. After talking to Irene throughout the semester they spent together fake-dating, she changes her opinion and begins to understand that cheerleading is a difficult sport that takes discipline and practice. She even gets defensive over Irene when she hears others negating cheerleading as a sport. 

        Overall, this is a wonderfully fun novel that celebrates queer love and representation. I would recommend this book to any student, queer or straight alike. The themes of friendship, love, and second chances are universal and applicable to all. 

Quindlen, K. (2021). She drives me crazy. Roaring Brook Press.