CAN TRUE LOVE SURVIVE HIGH SCHOOL?
THE DATING GAME #3
Natalie Standiford
Little, Brown and Company
Fiction
ISBN: 0316110426
224 pages

The third installment in Natalie Standiford's Dating Game series, CAN TRUE LOVE SURVIVE HIGH SCHOOL?, keeps the story of Holly, Madison and Lina moving and also fleshes out several minor characters from the previous books.

Holly has a new project, which is to find her pal Britta a boyfriend so that Britta realizes there is more to life than just school. Madison is still dating her artist boyfriend, Stephen, while continuing to moon over Sean in a subtle manner. And Lina still has a serious crush on her teacher, Dan.

All three girls seem to mature as the book progresses, which makes them better people and more likable characters. Britta can be a bit annoying at times, but this can be chalked up to her isolated existence; she now is beginning a serious relationship with a foreign boy and contemplating elopement. Holly's older sister invites Holly and her friends to spend a weekend at college with her, giving the girls a sneak peak at what life after high school might be like. Madison's mother has written an autobiographical play that is being produced, and she wants Madison and her younger sister to portray her in it. Madison is not thrilled, to say the least. Lina hopes to start something with Dan at a party, but begins to realize that perhaps he is not the best choice for a teenage girl.

As with the first two installments, Standiford's strengths are her characters and humor. Readers will be able to relate to Holly, Madison and Lina, and the situations in which they find themselves. This series continues to be a humorous and realistic look at life in high school.

   --- Reviewed by Melissa A. Palmer (Melissaenglish72@yahoo.com)

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