Beastly by Alex Flinn

Ever since the Iowa Teen Award nominees for 2011-2012 came out, Alex Flinn's Beastly has been hard to find in the library.  Although, it might also have something to do with the recently released major motion picture based on the book starring some exciting young actors including Mary-Kate Olsen...

Flinn gives readers a modern-day retelling of the classic story of Beauty and the Beast set in New York City and featuring a group of high school students.  Kyle Kingsbury is popular, rich, and perfect looking until one day a witch casts a spell on him turning him into a hideous beast.  She tells him that the only way to reverse the curse is to get a girl to fall in love with him despite his looks.  However, his appearance makes it difficult to meet anybody or leave the house and his father has exiled him to a sheltered apartment in Brooklyn.

The book stays true to the original story while putting a contemporary spin on the classic tale. Readers will be captivated by the twists and turns the story takes.  Try and read this book before you see the movie!