#FRC2016 Book Spotlight: Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel

Title: Small Admissions

Author: Amy Poeppell

Published:December 2016, Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Format:Hardcover, 368 pages

 

For fans of The Nanny Diaries and
Sophie Kinsella comes a whip-smart and deliciously funny debut novel
about Kate, a young woman unexpectedly thrust into the cutthroat world
of New York City private school admissions as she attempts to understand
city life, human nature, and falling in love.

Despite her innate
ambition and Summa Cum Laude smarts, Kate Pearson has turned into a
major slacker. After being unceremoniously dumped by her handsome,
French “almost fiancé,” she abandons her grad school plans and instead
spends her days lolling on the couch, watching reruns of Sex and the City,
and leaving her apartment only when a dog-walking gig demands it. Her
friends don’t know what to do other than pass tissues and hope for a
comeback, while her practical sister, Angela, pushes every remedy she
can think of, from trapeze class to therapy to job interviews.

Miraculously,
and for reasons no one (least of all Kate) understands, she manages to
land a job in the admissions department at the prestigious Hudson Day
School. In her new position, Kate learns there’s no time for self-pity
or nonsense during the height of the admissions season, or what her
colleagues refer to as “the dark time.” As the process revs up, Kate
meets smart kids who are unlikable, likeable kids who aren’t very smart,
and Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer.

Meanwhile,
Kate’s sister and her closest friends find themselves keeping secrets,
hiding boyfriends, dropping bombshells, and fighting each other on how
to keep Kate on her feet. On top of it all, her cranky, oddly charming,
and irritatingly handsome downstairs neighbor is more than he seems.
Through every dishy, page-turning twist, it seems that one person’s
happiness leads to another’s misfortune, and suddenly everyone,
including Kate, is looking for a way to turn rejection on its head,
using any means necessary—including the truly unexpected.

What readers are saying:

“Poeppel
gives an in-depth look at the admissions process, with a side of
secrets, bombshells, heartbreak, and hope . . . perfect for fans of
Curtis Sittenfeld’s Prep.” —Booklist

“A witty and captivating page-turner punctuated with quirky characters and laugh-out-loud moments that are sure to appeal.” —Library Journal 

“An excellent debut.” —Publishers Weekly 

“Small Admissions is
quick-witted and razor-sharp. With a chorus of varied and absurd voices,
you’ll laugh at everyone involved while secretly fearing that you see
yourself in the mix. Amy Poeppel manages to tell a story both poignant
and hilarious, hinting that this wry and absorbing debut is the
beginning of an exciting career.” —Taylor Jenkins Reid, Author of Maybe
in Another Life

“Small Admissions is a hilarious romp
through absurdities of Manhattan prep school life. It’s characters are
larger than life, it’s point of view delightfully farcical. You’ll read
it in a snap and then wish for more.” —Jennifer Miller the author of THE YEAR OF THE GADFLY

“Funny and incisive… Amy
Poeppel’s rollicking debut skewers the crazy world of Manhattan private
schools, the extreme sport of contemporary parenting, and the
ridiculous seriousness with which we embark on our adult lives. There’s
more here too: a thoughtful excavation of how we deal with rejections,
big and small. I loved reading this book.” —Amy Shearn, author of The
Mermaid of Brooklyn and How Far Is The Ocean From Here

“A rare book that actually makes you laugh out loud. Small Admissions
offers a peek into the world of New York City private school
admissions, but the deadly insights hardly stop there. Family,
friendships,meetings(!)—Poeppel tells gleaming, hilarious truths about
them all.” —Charity Shumway, author of Ten Girls to Watch

“This was quirky, funny and completely original. I loved it!” —Katie Fforde,author of A Vintage Wedding

“Charming,
refreshing, and brilliantly funny, Amy Poeppel’s novel is a delightful
surprise.” —Elizabeth Brundage, author of ALL THINGS CEASE TO APPEAR

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Small Admissions  by Amy Poeppel is one of  BookSparks “Fall Reads” reading selection picks.

 

Follow the #FRC2016 hashtag on twitter to read reviews on this book as well
as reviews on the other fall books! Also, be sure to check out the BookSparks Facebook page for the#FRC2016 #Shelfie Grand Prize Giveaway and other fun links.