Date with a Career

1958, possibly original edition, from Funk & Wagnalls
Jan Nickerson
Date with a Career
Original and purchase price unknown
Fairly good condition hardcover
B-

Although this is a less realistic and more stiltedly written book than Something Foolish, Something Gay, I prefer it.  For one thing, the central romantic relationship is much healthier.  It is odd that one date means "going steady" in Fairmeadows, but Saphronia's boyfriend Jock is fun and supportive, without being a bully like Sammy.  He's proud of her talent for clothes design and encourages her in her "date with a career."  She also has some supportive female friends, one of whom wisely advises her to go by her middle name of Lee.  This being a high school story, Lee of course has a spoiled, rich rival, although without the complexity or Machiavellianism of Mignon LaSalle in the Marjorie Dean books.

Unlike Marjorie Dean, I'm putting this in the YA category, because it does have a bit of kissing (much less than Something Foolish), as well as Lee being offered a cigarette and alcohol.  It's still a pretty wholesome book, with even the hot-rodder turning out to be a nice guy.