EVERY FIRST DATE SHOULD BE THIS CHARMING says Kirkus Reviews!
Between going out with his celebrity crush and his mom's campaign to be the next town mayor, Danny's got a lot to learn about life in the spotlight...
When Danny Constantino asks his old-friend-turned-Hollywood-movie-star, Natalie Flores Griffin, to his local school dance and homecoming parade, she surprises him . . . by saying yes! Unfortunately, now everyone in Cuper Cove has something to say about Danny's love life--especially since Natalie is the hometown hero. Throw in herds of TV reporters and NFG groupies, his mom using Natalie's arrival for free publicity, and a pep rally gone horribly, horribly awry, and Danny's left absolutely clueless in this new world of crushes and becoming (kind of) famous.
★ “A bright, brisk rom-com (complete with a young cineast who supplies reader cues by explaining to Danny how rom-coms are supposed to go) that the author delivers with a string of hilarious, if sometimes agonizing, twists on the meet-cute and other conventions.” — Booklist Reviews (starred review)
“Danny and Natalie’s blossoming romance is well drawn, and Acampora steers clear of treacle territory with deft deployment of subplots...Danny’s relationships with his grandmother, his mother, and Natalie reinforce one another, painting a strong portrait of a young boy coming in to his own with the help of three strong female characters. Every first date should be this charming.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A fast-paced, humorous escapade that tackles the social awkwardness of middle school dating. Authentic yet witty dialogue advances the plot while providing crucial character development...lighthearted, realistic fiction that uses humor to quench the social anxiety of middle school life.”—School Library Journal
“DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE is laugh-out-loud funny, touching, and a pure delight. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Notting Hill, which I watch over and over again. This is a book that kids will adore, and read more than once!”—Deborah Heiligman, National Book Award Finalist and Printz Honor author of Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”
“Funny, charming, deeply real, and wonderfully inventive, DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE is that rare novel that is both an amazing adventure filled with twists and surprises and a believable look at real life and the human condition.”—David Lubar, bestselling author of Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
“Take one small town, add one big star, one baffled boy, and, of course, a giant cardboard unicorn, and you’ve got DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE, a funny, charming tale of first love in the age of Insta-fame.”—Michael Northrop, New York Times–bestselling author of Tomb Quest and Dear Justice League
“Acampora’s hilarious story set in the world of modern middle school life is pitch perfect. A great read!”—E.J. Altbacker, Emmy-nominated screenwriter and bestselling author of Shark Wars
“A perfect mix of humor and heart, DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE is equally sweet and hilarious, with crackling dialogue and lovable characters so real they jump off the page.”—Josh Berk, Edgar Award nominee and co-author of Camp Murderface!
“DANNY CONSTANTINO’S FIRST DATE gives readers all the feels! Heart and humor shine through in this tribute to friendship, rom-coms, and cardboard unicorns.”—Erin Dionne, award-winning author of Secrets of a Fangirl