Folded Notes from High School

By: Matt Boren

Narrated by: Taylor Spreitler, Ramy Youssef, Ryan Newman, full cast, Katie Lowes, Rebecca Budig, Meredith Salenger, Vicki Davis, Adam Shapiro, Matt Boren, Christina Applegate

A status-obsessed senior unexpectedly falls for a freshman because of his Danny Zuko audition in their high school's production of Grease in this outrageously funny epistolary novel set in 1991.

The folded notes collected for this book represent correspondence surrounding one Tara Maureen Murphy, senior at South High c. 1991-1992.

It's 1991, and Tara Maureen Murphy is finally on top. A frightening cross between Regina George and Tracy Flick, Tara Maureen Murphy is any high school's worst nightmare, bringing single-minded ambition, narcissism, manipulation, and jealousy to new extremes in this outrageous, satirical twist on the coming-of-age novel. She's got a hot jock boyfriend in Christopher Patrick Caparelli, her best friend, Stef Campbell, by her side, and she's a senior, poised to star as Sandy in South High's production of Grease. Cinching the role is just one teensy step in Tara's plot to get out of her hometown and become the Broadway starlet she was born to be. She's grasping distance from the finish line - graduation and college are right around the corner - but she has to remain vigilant.

"This dumb town, as we know, can be a very tricky place." (Tara Maureen Murphy)

It gets trickier with the arrival of freshman Matthew Bloom, whose dazzling audition for the role of Danny Zuko turns Tara's world upside down. Freshmen belong in the chorus, not the spotlight! But Tara's outrage is tinged with an unfamiliar emotion, at least to her: adoration. And what starts as a conniving ploy to "mentor" young Matt quickly turns into a romantic obsession that threatens to topple Tara's hard-won status at South High....

Cast of Narrators:
Taylor Spreitler, as Tara
Ramy Youssef, as Matt
Ryan Newman, as Stef
Selma Blair, as Stacey
Katie Lowes, as Pammy
Rebecca Budig, as Tricia
Meredith Salenger, as Kath
Vicki Davis, as Deena
Adam Shapiro, as Pete
Matt Boren, as Christopher
Christina Applegate, as the Narrator

©2018 Matthew Boren (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Matt Boren brilliantly captures the voices of students way back in 1992 with humor and wit and a unique ability to shift from freshman to senior, boy to girl, cheerleader to theater geek. In this hilarious novel, Boren adeptly proves that the more things change, the more things stay the same." (Kelly Ripa)

"Folded Notes from High School is heartwarming, hilarious storytelling that might give you some uncomfortable pangs of recognition. This is how you love, scheme, fight and forgive in the high heat of puberty." (Patton Oswalt)

"In the age before Snapchat and Instagram, Tara Murphy rules South High’s social scene armed with only her pen and strategically hidden notes...a great read for slightly older teens who want a glimpse into the increasingly distant - though not so different - past.” (Booklist)

"In a novel that captures the lingo, fads, and teenage preoccupations of the period, actor and TV writer Boren makes a charismatic debut as he traces the ups and downs of Tara Maureen Murphy’s life.... Even if she doesn’t win readers’ hearts, [Tara] will make them smile with her conniving antics, sarcastic wit, and tremendous resiliency." (Publishers Weekly)

Great performance; hated the main character.

Would you try another book from Matthew Boren and/or the narrators?

Yes to both. The cast delivered a spectacular performance. I would consider reading another book by this author because I thought the story was well written even if I did not love it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I wish the main character could have exhibited some personal growth rather than stay a full-fledged mean girl.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The full cast did a geat job. I enjoyed the nuances of their performances.

Could you see Folded Notes from High School being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, I could see it being made into a movie. I don’t have strong feelings about who should be cast, though.

Listen to it as satire

In the publisher’s description, references are made to Regina George (“Mean Girls”) and Tracy Flick (“Election “). Both comparisons fit this novel’s main character. As with those protagonists, you waver between sympathizing with this character, and despising her. Don’t expect to walk away with a clear moral to the story. Do expect to enjoy the performance immensely, feel alternately nostalgic & rueful, and repeatedly laugh out loud.

I need more!

Fun story and great reading. Took me back to HS days. The ending left hanging which is probably intentional for a sequel.

Starts cute, gets dark

This was a great listen. Makes the listener feel like you are eavesdropping in the local high school. Narrator was on point in every way. #meanteens #teendrama #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

This. book kept a smile on my face

The author has an amaxing mind. This book was entertaining and kept me chuckling on my commutes to work. Tara is a monster and completely unlikable, but living is her twistes self obsessed mind was fun for a while. I was disappointed that it ended.

Reminds me of high school

the story was filled with twists and turns. much like actual high school. loved it

Great read , even if you went to high school in the 60’s

I know nothing about high school life in the 90’s, butt I thoroughly enjoyed this book anyway. It captures that universal high school angst in a clever and creative way based on notes passed in class and slid through lockers.
It is hilarious and the main character is delightfully snarky and delusional.