In a send-up of the scores of dating books on the market, this latest from the author of "Confessions of a Not It Girl" tackles the aftermath of a high school romance with her trademark honesty, humor, and wit. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Jen is crushed when her boyfriend tells her it would be better if we were just friends. Making matters worse, she catches him kissing another girl from the school paper, where she also works. Jen cannot sleep, cries constantly and thinks she could actually die of heartache. Even with supportive friends and family and opportunities to advance her journalism career it takes time to move on. Kantor (Confessions of a Not It Girl) successfully juggles several storylines, including Jen's work on a controversial article about race relations at school, her mother's attempt at romance after years on the sidelines and even a fun first date for Jen with a boy who bravely takes her salsa dancing. These threads make Jen's world seem very real and reflect her growing sense of self. Readers may not know what to make of the actual self-help book Jen's grandmother buys her (called The Breakup Bible); full of cliches (such as A fabulous, foxy lady such as yourself knows when it's time to say good riddance to bad rubbish!), the cheesy book seems to help Jen at times, but ultimately ends up in the trash. Jen goes through much of the book thinking I'm so sad, I'm so sad, I'm so sad, which may overwhelm readers, but in the end, they will likely be convinced both of Jen's readiness to move on and of her ability to see the good and the bad in her first romance. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Junior Jen Lewis' life revolves around the school newspaper and her boyfriend, the paper's editor. So things really go south when Max dumps her, and Jen is left to wonder why and wander around hopelessly. When Jen's grandmother gives her Dr. Emory Emerson's The Breakup Bible, brimming with advice about moving on, Jen tosses it; she doesn't want to move on. Then, she learns that Max left her for another girl on the newspaper and decides she desperately needs the guidance. Written with wit and featuring a few fine plot twists, this will have teen girls nodding sympathetically. There's also a strong subplot centered on a newspaper article Jen and an African American friend are writing about the school's de facto segregation, which adds some heft to the oldest story in the world. A solid entry for chick-lit shelves. Cooper, Ilene. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.