Psych Major Syndrome

July 27, 2009
Psychology major Leigh Nolan wants to devote her life to analyzing people, but in her first year at a small, highly liberal college, she has her hands full trying to decipher the meaning behind her own idiosyncrasies. Why is she so reluctant to buy a parking sticker when the tickets she has accumulated will cost far more than a decal? Why can't she pinpoint a happy moment that she's experienced? Why hasn't she had sex with the boy she's been dating for over a year? In a romantic comedy that at the same time deals frankly with sexual issues, first-time author Thompson pokes fun at academia as she explores Leigh's muddled feelings about her boyfriend and his good-looking roommate, Nathan. Ironies abound in this novel, and the supporting cast of offbeat characters—Leigh's unconventional parents (“My mom teaches shamanistic dance at the local Y, and my dad takes a weeklong vow of silence every year. Their view of 'normal' is a little skewed”); her arty roommate, Ami; and Rebekah, the smart-alecky, all-too-worldly middle schooler Leigh mentors—add depth. Ages 12–up.

September 1, 2009
Gr 9 Up-Leigh, a freshman at tiny Stiles College in California, is more uptight than her artsy roommate Ami, but not quite as stiff as her high school boyfriend, Andrew. She's trying to figure out how to navigate her way through a psychology major at a school that's putting more pressure on her than she expected while weathering Andrew's expectations for sex though their romance is dwindling. Added into the mix are Andrew's attractive but moody roommate, several "mean girl" types, and a healthy dose of quirky, introspective humor. Leigh's exceptional vocabulary is naturally worked into the story, which is also heavily laced with brand and celebrity names, music references, and esoteric comments about zombies and girlfriends who might like to cook your bunny rabbit. The idea that Leigh's kooky parents (who own a psychic B&B) would have her share a bedroom at their home with a young man because they want to save space for paying guests seems far-fetched, as does a contrived subplot that features an overweight matron-type who is too rigid to talk with any honesty about sex. The young woman's ongoing inner conversations about sleeping with Andrew are much more believable."Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2009
Grades 8-10 I didnt care what anyone else thought. Im not the kind of girl who wanted to enjoy the freedom of being young or whatever. College freshman Leigh takes pleasure in the security that she finds with her high-school sweetheart, Andrew, even if she doesnt always enjoy their time together. Then, just when it seems that they will finally have sex after dating for a year and half, Andrew dumps her for another girl. Most readers will recognize right from the start that Andrews roommate, Nathan, has maintained a cool reserve with Leigh to mask his fiery crush on her, but romance fans will likely forgive this debuts predictable plot and enjoy following Leigh and Nathan through their comically fraught tumble toward true love. Leighs breezy narration is peppered with pop-culture references that may date the book, but the college setting, colorful secondary characters (including Leighs over-the-top, New Age parents, who run a psychic bed-and-breakfast in Sedona), and her wisecracking, sardonic voice add freshness to the formulaic story. A sure hit with fans of Meg Cabots YA books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Psych major Leigh can't figure out her life, which is complicated by boyfriend drama, school pressure, domineering classmates, and a kid who doesn't respond positively to Leigh's mentoring efforts. Leigh is endearingly neurotic, but the fully imagined supporting characters--including Rebekah, the gum-chewing, wise-beyond-her-years mentee, and Nathan, the enigmatic and sensitive romantic lead--steal the book away from her.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)