On their way to compete in the Miss Teen Dream Beauty Pageant, the contestants’ plane crashes on a remote tropical island. Most people on the flight, including pilots, chaperones, and 
contestants are killed. Only 14 of the girls survive. Stuck on this island with no way to get home, these girls must learn to survive on their own with the unconventional supplies at hand such as make up, evening gowns, and panty hose. In addition to finding food, fresh water and making shelters, they must also deal with a few unexpected problems including: secrets, lies, a conspiracy between The Corporation (the company responsible for the Miss Teen Dream Beauty Pageant) and the Elvis-worshipping dictator MoMo B., and the arrival of a ship full of hot, British reality TV pirates. Along the way the girls discover friendship, who they really are, and the true meaning of feminism.
Beauty Queens was a hilarious book from start to finish. As I read it in the early hours of the morning I had to clutch my sides to keep from laughing so hard I would wake the whole house up. I loved the different perspectives from characters such as Adina, Mart Lou, and Nicole. I also loved the format of the book which was complete with footnotes, commercial breaks, messages from the sponsor, Miss Teen Dream Fun Facts pages, and classified corporation reports. The only thing that bothered me was how minor characters were generally referred to by their state (for example: Miss Ohio), and when their names were used it became confusing. I would recommend this funny, modern, female version of Lord of the Flies to all girls ages 14 and up. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
By: Emma Vitacco
