Egotistical and snobbish, Caroline snubs Lizzie most of the weekend while flirting shamelessly with the disinterested Will. Yet in an effort to support Jane, Lizzie attends a ski weekend at the Bingleys’ cottage with Jane, Charles, Will and Charles’ sister, Caroline. Will immediately alienates and enrages Lizzie with his rude comments about scholarship students. Jane reconnects with Charles and introduces Lizzie to his sullen friend, Will Darcy.

Lizzie and Jane attend a back-to-school mixer with the neighboring boys school, Pemberley. If he’ll ask her to prom, all will be right with the world. This semester, Charles Bingley, the boy Jane likes, is returning from a semester in London. Lizzie’s wealthy but kind roommate, Jane, is already starting her fittings. Fashion editors from Vogue and The New York Times report on the event, while girls have famous designers create their gowns. Prom is the official entry into high society for Longbourn girls.

She tries to focus on excelling at piano while avoiding the discussions of trust funds, designer clothes and most of all, prom. Wealthy classmates, who don’t believe there’s room at Longbourn for anyone without money and proper breeding, often snub or pull pranks on Lizzie.

Ages 13 up.In this modern-day version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lizzie Bennett attends the elite Longbourn Academy for Girls on a music scholarship. Although Lizzie's Austenian narration feels rather prim beside the more contemporary dialogue, this parody of 21st-century social mannerisms shows that things haven't changed much in the romance department during the past 200 years. Readers won't doubt that Will and Lizzie will end up a couple, but will still enjoy the merry chase as the Longbourn girls try to find suitable partners before the prom. Blinded by prejudice against the upper crust, Lizzie turns a cold shoulder to Will's friendly overtures, realizing almost too late that his intentions are commendable and the one boy she trusts a townie named Wick is a scoundrel. She particularly loathes smug Will Darcy, but tolerates his presence to appease roommate Jane, who has affection for his best friend, Charles. Tormented since her first day at the elite Longbourn Academy, scholarship student Lizzie, a gifted pianist, dislikes most of her wealthier peers. Joining the many authors using Jane Austen as a springboard, Eulberg (The Lonely Hearts Club) updates characters and plot details from Pride and Prejudice to create a clever, modern romance.

Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg