Hazing Meri Sugarman

Poor, dear Cindy Bixby is a total loser. Has been all her life. But now as she enters college, Cindy hopes to shed her loser ways — get some friends and maybe even (dare she think it?) get a boyfriend. Her first move out of loserdom: pledge Alpha Beta Delta.

There Cindy meets Meri Sugarman. Meri is not only beautiful, she controls the sorority, a position that gives Meri more power than...well, maybe not God, but certainly any person within a one-hundred-mile radius. (How, you ask? Think of today's technology and what you could do with it if you were so (illegally) inclined. Get the picture? ;-) )

Meri teaches Cindy that she, too, can be perfect. She can be beautiful, sexy, and popular, influence teachers and politicians, and even have a boyfriend!

But when the new Cindy crosses into Meri-only territory (hint: where there's trouble, look for boy), new — very scary — Meri emerges. And Cindy realizes that behind all that beauty is an evil beast that must be stopped.

REVIEWS:

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In screenwriter Apostolina's offbeat debut novel, Cindy Bixby goes to college and believes that joining Alpha Beta Delta sorority is a "once-in-a-lifetime chance" to go from loser to popular girl. But sadistic sorority president Meri Sugarman shows her that sisterhood has a price (Cindy not only has to do shots, but also pose as a prostitute).

But when Keith, Meri's ex-boyfriend, kisses Cindy, it's all-out war between the sisters! This is an intriguing premise-the sorority sisters wield power using "the Hoover File," which contains dirt on everyone, including the dean. And the story, which unspools via Cindy's journal entries, boasts a memorable supporting cast, including Cindy's sister, who becomes a pop star with a dirty song called "Tune My Motor Up," and the heroine's overweight roommate, who diagnoses everyone's psychological disorders, including her own "hypertension, borderline personality disorder, [and] panic attacks." Ages 14-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

From TEENSREADTOO.COM
A fantastic page-turner. M. Apostolina is a brilliant new writer. Cindy's character development is remarkably realistic; as she writes in her journal, you can see her change from an overly optimistic, naive, and often annoying character to one who, after seeing and experiencing something of the real world plus dealing with psychopath Meri Sugarman, actually knows more of what the world really is--and she can use that to her advantage, to stop Meri.

"Hazing Meri Sugarman" is full of great characters. Even (or perhaps especially) the less-likeable characters had me wanting to read more and more about them. This novel is funny (at times laugh-out-loud hilarious), absorbing, and, well, fantastic! I've read a few other reviews of the book, and reviewers kept calling it unrealistic. I highly doubt it was supposed to mirror the lives of actual college students; in fact, I'd be quite frightened if it did! Suspend disbelief for awhile; you will absolutely love this book.

From ALAN REVIEW
Cindy Bixby dreams of escaping her high school loser image when she begins college. Following in her mother's footsteps, Cindy pledges Alpha Beta Delta, hoping to find acceptance and popularity. Cindy's captivation with Meri Sugarman, sorority president, causes her to make moral compromises to gain Meri's approval. When Cindy lands a boyfriend, an ex of Meri's, she becomes victim of Meri's powerful wrath. Cindy and her friends have no choice but to destroy this evil villain before she destroys them.

This story is cleverly revealed through daily diary entries. Middle school girls will find the exaggerated dramatic events appealing as it unfolds much like a modern day high school chick flick where the unpopular misfit finds the courage to confront the bully. The interspersing of family dynamics and the uncertainty of how to stop Meri will keep the reader intrigued until the end.