MODEL MISFIT

A girl entranced by physics, mathematics, history, and literature also works as a model for an innovative international fashion designer, but she’s so inept she’s likely to lose her job in this comic sequel to the original Geek Girl (2015).

Fifteen-year-old Harriet still suffers from the same difficulties as in the first book: she’s the target of a popular and powerful mean girl in her school, her romance with the dashing Nick has broken up, and she’s still uber-awkward, socially. Yet she models for Yuka Ito, an insanely demanding, incredibly talented designer. Yuka offers Harriet a job in Japan, a country that has fascinated Harriet since childhood. Dumped with two other models for roommates, Harriet tries to focus on her job, but wildly improbable disasters dog her. She likes her roommates, especially Rin, who struggles mightily to speak English and whose constant mistakes become an unfortunate running joke. Her other roommate, the beautiful Poppy, turns out to be Nick’s new girlfriend, and indeed, who should show up in Japan but Nick. Smale writes short, punchy chapters that keep the narrative and the comedy flowing constantly. Her highly individual characterizations add enormous zip to the book, but it’s Harriet’s geeky quips that give the book its life.

Fluffy but funny for readers who can overlook the cultural cluelessness.