Sass & Serendipity
For Daphne, the glass is always half full. A situation is better managed with a dab of lip gloss, and the boy of her dreams—the one she’s read about in all of her novels—is waiting for her just around the corner.
For Gabby, nothing ever works out positively. Wearing any form of makeup is a waste of study time, and boys will only leave you heartbroken. Her best friend, Mule, is the only one who has been there for her every step of the way.
But when the richest boy in school befriends Gabby, and Daphne starts to hang out more and more with Mule, Gabby is forced to confront the emotional barriers she has put up to stop the hurting. And she finds that letting go of her sass can leave her open to serendipity.
384 pages, Ages 12 and up, 2011, Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0385738989 (hardcover), 978-0375859649 (paperback)
This book is a tribute to two women: Jane Austen and my sister, Amanda.
Just like my characters Gabby and Daphne, Amanda and I grew up sharing a room but not outlooks on life. Although we fought and professed our undying hatred to one another, we also had each other’s backs when it truly mattered.
Jane Austen neither borrowed my clothes nor defended me from neighborhood bullies. She did, however, write one of my favorite novels: Sense and Sensibility. Even though I lived in a completely different era, I could vividly relate to the Dashwood girls.
It is my hope that with Sass & Serendipity, I can likewise convey the ups and downs of sisterhood. My book was released the same year as Sense and Sensibility’s 200th anniversary. I consider that quite … serendipitous.
“This fun and fresh retelling will leave you cheering, swooning, and hugging your sister.”
Sarah Mlynowski, author of Gimme a Call
“[T]his is a sweet story about sisterhood, family, and love.”
News and Sentinel
“Ziegler delivers another solid read, perfect for romantics who love a happy, touching ending.”
VOYA
“Readers who savor realistic sibling stories with shades of romance will enjoy this homage to Jane Austen.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (October 2011)