Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

Published: April 22, 2003 by Three Rivers Press
Received: Bought from Katy Budget Books

Jessica Darling is up in arms again in this much-anticipated, hilarious sequel to Sloppy Firsts. This time, the hyperobservant, angst-ridden teenager is going through the social and emotional ordeal of her senior year at Pineville High. Not only does the mysterious and oh-so-compelling Marcus Flutie continue to distract Jessica, but her best friend, Hope, still lives in another state, and she can’t seem to escape the clutches of the Clueless Crew, her annoying so-called friends. To top it off, Jessica’s parents won’t get off her butt about choosing a college, and her sister Bethany’s pregnancy is causing a big stir in the Darling household. {taken from goodreads.com}

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! < that is my review for this book. Just kidding.  But if you've read this series, then you totally understand why I just did that, haha.  Seriously though.  This book was AMAZING.  I love sequels that live up to the first & then go way beyond it! Second Helpings continued the hilarity from Sloppy Firsts, & managed to tug on a few heart strings at the same time. 

The second book begins at the start of the summer before Jessica's senior year of high school.  She has opted out of cross country camp & decided to attend a writing workshop for hopeful literary college-bound teens.  Jessica believes that once she leaves Pineville High, she'll meet new faces that are deeper than the average "Clueless Crew" she has the displeasure of seeing every day at school.  But once again, she is proven wrong because even at this summer workshop Jessica manages to meet shallow, meaningless people.  Are they everywhere??  Can Jessica ever escape this nightmare of fake people??  As her senior year approaches, Jessica realizes it's time to make some changes.  She no longer feels the passion for cross country running as she did before, so she quits the team.  She also stops writing, for the school that is.  In making these changes, Jessica feels that she is opening herself up to new things.  But for the people close to her, which are very few, they see these changes as a step backwards.. in the wrong direction.  In continuing the pattern of change, Jessica also lets go of the idea of her & Marcus.  She tells her head that he's only after the game, not her.  It was never her.  So what's a girl to do?  Turn to the next guy who pays her enough attention: which is the exact opposite of what Jessica stands for!  But it's all about change, & trying something new, right?!

Jessica Darling's senior year starts out rocky & uncertain.  Her quest to "find herself" continues through friends, boys, & even college plans.  This quest has put an enormous amount of pressure on Jessica & she is literally stressed to the max.  But in true Jessica Darling fashion, she continues to humor the reader.  I could not get enough of her witty mouth.  Just when I wanted to hug her & cry with her, her words slap me & leave me laughing hysterically!  I can't get enough of this girl!!  As her senior year comes to a close, she realizes that the choices she's made through out her high school career have led her to exactly where she stands that day.  Some good, & some bad.  Regardless, they have a purpose for getting her where she is.  The ultimate outcome that I was so patiently waiting for: Marcus.  His transformation from drop out druggy, to irresistible sweetheart *swooooooooon* played a huge part in the reason why I kept flipping the pages.  Will Jessica open her eyes & realize the best thing for her is Marcus?!  Or will Jessica's pride get in the way?

The final chapters of this book is what did me in.  Make sure if you're going to read it, that you have enough time to finish those last few pages.  Don't be sitting in a classroom with 10 middle grade students (who are also individually reading other books) - it will makes things very uncomfortable!!! haha  You will laugh, you will cry, & you will be running to the bookstore (or library!) to get your hands on that third book.  I immediately picked it up after I finished this one!  Jessica Darling is growing up right before my eyes.  I am loving every minute of it!  Let the laughter continue...