Although missing a few classes may be okay for teens, missing friends and activities has likely been difficult. A rite of passage that will become virtual or delayed this year will be the prom. Picking the theme, getting the dress or tux, and planning the day out will have a new reality. You do have the benefit of extra time, so try on your dress or tux and download these titles from Hoopla or Overdrive to start your prom fervor:

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson – “In a Philadelphia high school who doesn’t care about the prom. It’s pretty much the only good thing that happens there, and everyone plans to make the most of it—especially Ash’s best friend, Natalia, who’s the head of the committee and has prom stars in her eyes. Then the faculty advisor is busted for taking the prom money and Ash finds herself roped into putting together a gala dance. But she has plenty of help—from her large and loving (if exasperating!) family, from Nat’s eccentric grandmother, from the principal, from her fellow classmates. And in making the prom happen, Ash learns some surprising things about making her life happen, too.”

Will Work for Prom Dress – by Aimee Ferris – “Quigley Johnson has, reluctantly, given up the rest of her last year of high school to take part in her best friend Ann's Betterment Plan, which will turn them into the best-dressed, most sought-after, most admired girls at their senior formal. Because - hey - who doesn't want the perfect prom, complete with a dream dress and a devastatingly handsome date? But the prom costs money - lots of money - and even though the girls could easily have Ann's mom design their dresses (she's only Victoria Parisi, one of the most famous designers in the world), Ann insists that they pay their own way. And that's how Quigley gets stuck making artistic topping masterpieces on frozen pizzas canvases, before becoming a live model for Ms. Parisi's fashion design class, where she meets Zander. He's cute, and cool, and funny, with a killer design sensibility...”

Deacon Locke Went to Prom by Brian Katcher – “The love life of an awkward teen takes an unforgettable turn after he brings his grandmother to prom in this funny, offbeat, and smile-inducing contemporary romance that is pitch perfect for fans of Jesse Andrews and Robyn Schneider. Promposals are taking over Deacon Locke's high school and there is no place left to hide. But even with graduation looming, shy and unusually tall Deacon doesn't think he can get up the nerve to ask anyone to the dance. Especially given all the theatrics. It isn't until Deacon confides in his witty and outgoing best friend Jean that he realizes should could be a great person to take. Only problem is Jean isn't your typical prom date. She's older. A lot older. And she's Deacon's grandmother. But when Deacon meets Soraya—a girl unlike any other he's ever met—he fears he has totally squandered his chances of having a prom he'll never forget. Deacon couldn't be more wrong. About everything.”

Prom by Jill S. Zimmerman Rutledge – “Prom is about more than corsages and boutonnieres, promposals and after-parties. It's an event that teens are claiming as a way not only to have fun with friends but to also express their creativity and their identities. Learn about the first gay and lesbian teen couples to insist on the legal right to bring their dates to prom. Discover how modern prom fashions are pushing the boundaries of what guys and girls can wear to the big night out. You'll also get tips from high school graduates about dealing with prom pressures--and how to protect your physical and emotional health while you celebrate.”

Upcycling Celebrations by Danny Seo – “In his last book, Upcycling, Danny demonstrated how to create beautiful things with the stuff you already have. Now he returns with 100 more projects - this time focused specifically on parties and holidays. Whether you’re making dramatic party favors for New Year’s Eve, giving a unique birthday gift, creating paper lanterns for a summer BBQ, or planning the Thanksgiving table, Danny shows how you can transform the ordinary into striking one-of-a-kind objects that will make every occasion a little more festive.”

Party like a Rock Star by Jes Gordon – “A top Hollywood party planner on how to design a wide range of fabulous fêtes Jes Gordon knows that girls just want to have fun. In ‘Party Like A Rock Star,’ she shows them how. Gordon—a party-planner extraordinaire who has helmed events for the likes of Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Nicolas Cage, and Jennifer Lopez—presents a fun, comprehensive guide to event planning that reveals her tried-and-true secrets, culled over twenty years in the biz. With color photos throughout, but with step-by-step details that make the book much more than another impossibly perfect photo shoot, Gordon shows readers exactly how to create a unique event, one that reflects their own personalities and individual aesthetics. This hip, easy-to-follow guide will transform anyone's approach to entertaining—from birthday parties to baby showers to anniversaries. Topics include: *Creating a concept for any party—a concept that reflects *How to produce a party from beginning to end—colorful case studies and detailed instructions”

Death to Prom – “Two best friends make the best of going to high school by dreaming up fashion magazine photo shoots, and bribing their siblings to model for them. René indulges his fantasies and loves designing clothes. Frankie lives for her camera and punk rock. They both fall for Sasha, the shy soccer player with a soft spot for poems by Pushkin. When the three of them are caught between competing invitations to prom, their high-fashion drama could destroy their friendships along with the entire prom.”

Prom Ride – “It's the end of the school year for a group of high school friends. Their senior prom was to be a night of elegance, rejoicing and celebrating, but when a psychotic killer hijacks their stretch limo, he is determined to have them Dead On Arrival. The teens are tortured while being held hostage, and soon turn on each other for survival. By the end, we learn that one of the teens had been keeping a secret that played a bigger role in their demise.” 

I will join you in a retro-themed pretend-a-prom by putting on my dress and watching my DVD of Pretty in Pink. Create your own party!