<p> Davie Jones?an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi with a mother who couldn't get any meaner?is positive her life couldn't be any worse. Just when she's resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life?<i>Sixteen Candles</i>. But in her case, life doesn't imitate art. Tormented in school and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, Davie finds it bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood?as a beautiful and successful lounge singer. Just as she's about to ride off into the L.A. sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davie's dreams?and break her heart again. </p> <p> With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, <i>32 Candles</i> introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare. </p>