Clement–Moore, Rosemary

PERSONAL:

Married. Education: Earned M.A. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, sewing, sailing, music, vintage embroidery.

ADDRESSES:

Home—TX. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer. Former teacher and actress.

WRITINGS:

Prom Dates from Hell, Delacorte (New York, NY), 2007.

Hell Week, Delacorte (New York, NY), 2008.

SIDELIGHTS:

Rosemary Clement-Moore is a Texas-based writer whose first novel, Prom Dates from Hell, is an entertaining story that mixes high-school life with the supernatural. In the novel, ace journalist and brainy senior Maggie Quinn has a passion, but it is not fellow student Stanley Dozer. When the uber-geeky Stanley asks Maggie to be his date for Avalon High's senior prom, she balks and unknowingly causes the humiliated young man to unleash an evil that only Maggie can stop. Harnessing her latent ESP abilities, Maggie dons the hated prom dress, runs the gauntlet of condescension formed by Avalon's ruling clique, and appears at the prom on the elbow of college friend Justin, hoping to avert a demon-led disaster.

Teen readers "will have fun with this one," predicted Kliatt contributor Claire Rosser, "especially if they like rather crazy, humorous stories" and sharp-witted teen heroines. Noting that in the humorous plot of Prom Dates from Hell Clement-Moore includes a touch of teen romance, Emily Rodriguez wrote in School Library Journal that "sharp writing and a satirical portrayal of the high school social scene make [Prom Dates from Hell] & an enjoyable read." "There is a lot to like in this story that takes on magic, romance and even clique politics," concluded a Publishers Weekly contributor.

In reviewing Prom Dates from Hell, critics have credited Clement-Moore's ability to create such a spunky and engaging heroine with the author's former career as an actor. Popular with teen readers, Maggie returns in Hell Week as an undercover stint draws her into the clutches of a sorority at her new college, where student mixers lead to secret meetings, bizarre pledging rituals, and a dark secret.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July-August, 2007, Karen Coats, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 457.

Horn Book, May-June, 2007, Christine M. Heppermann, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 297.

Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2007, review of Prom Dates from Hell.

Kliatt, March, 2007, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 10.

Publishers Weekly, March 26, 2007, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 95.

School Library Journal, March, 2007, Emily Rodriguez, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 206.

Voice of Youth Advocates, April, 2007, Jennifer Rummel, review of Prom Dates from Hell, p. 63.

ONLINE

Rosemary Clement-Moore Home Page,http://www.rosemaryclementmoore.com (February 20, 2008).

Class of 2K7 Web site,http://classof2k7.com/ (March 15, 2008), "Rosemary Clement-Moore."