SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Take a Chance on Me
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/
CITY: New York
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 375
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in Portage, WI; daughter of Dave and Judy Eulberg.
EDUCATION:Syracuse University, degree.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Worked formerly in public relations; Scholastic, New York, NY, book publicist; Little, Brown & Company, New York, publicist, then director of global publicity for Stephenie Meyer, until 2011; full-time writer, 2011—.
AVOCATIONS:Traveling, music, reading.
AWARDS:Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults designation, American Library Association, 2013, for Prom and Prejudice; numerous honors from state reading associations.
WRITINGS
Also author of e-book short stories “From Me to You,” “Two of Us,” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”
SIDELIGHTS
A former book publicist, Elizabeth Eulberg is the author of several young-adult novels. In Prom and Prejudice, Eulberg presents a contemporary take on Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice, while friendships, identity, romance, and other adolescent concerns are her focus in novels such as Just Another Girl and Past Perfect Life. Additionally, Eulberg presents an inventive take on a celebrated fictional detective in her “Great Shelby Holmes” series, aimed at middle-school readers.
A native of Portage, Wisconsin, Eulberg developed an early interest in music, rather than literature. Writing for Jarrett Lerner’s website, she offered insight into how challenging elementary school was for her: “I was put in remedial reading in first grade and really struggled with school. I remember feeling very frustrated that my friends could easily pick up reading while I couldn’t. In second grade, I had to take a test, where we found out I have a couple learning differences, including dyslexia. Around fourth grade, I really started to love to read and became a stronger student thanks to my mom and teachers.” Eulberg proudly affirmed her eventual achievement of honors status in graduating both high school and college.
Her experiences with music, meanwhile, were positive from the beginning. She started taking piano lessons at age five, learned to play the clarinet in fourth grade, and was a drummer in her high-school marching band. “Music dominated my high school existence,” she explained on the Point website, and “a career in the music industry was something I aspired to.”
At the suggestion of her mother, a librarian, Eulberg researched the music industry and decided that the most practical course was a career in public relations. After college graduation she worked for a small entertainment firm and then as a book publicist. She eventually found her way to Little, Brown & Company, where she directed publicity efforts for Stephenie Meyer, author of the popular “Twilight” novel series. Eulberg was inspired to write The Lonely Hearts Club after spending the evening with an attention-starved acquaintance who was hoping to attract a boyfriend.
The Lonely Hearts Club centers on Penny Lane Bloom, a heartbroken teen who vows to swear off boys and starts the Lonely Hearts Club, names after a song—as she was—by her parents’ favorite band, The Beatles. Penny’s growing self-confidence proves infectious and membership swells as her female classmates join the group, which forbids dating. Matters become complicated, however, when Penny falls for Ryan Bauer, the former boyfriend of a club member. “The story is a gentle reminder to girls who may fall head over heels and sometimes jeopardize solid friendships for a romantic relationship,” observed School Library Journal critic Patricia N. McClune, and in Booklist, Heather Booth described The Lonely Hearts Club as “an upbeat take on friendship, empowerment, and finding romance without losing yourself.”
Penny returns in We Can Work It Out, as she attempts to reconcile the guidelines of Lonely Hearts Club membership with the fact that she is openly dating heartthrob Ryan. Further stressers come as the teen tries to balance the obligations of schoolwork and romance with club commitments, her sister’s upcoming wedding, and planning for the junior prom. Although We Can Work It Out can be enjoyed by readers unfamiliar with its prequel, it will also “be a delight for fans of the first book,” according to Samantha Godbey in the Voice of Youth Advocates, the critic adding that Eulberg’s “genuinely funny” novel treats readers to “a fun exploration of high school love and friendship.”
Prom and Prejudice is based on Austen’s famed novel, which was first published in 1813. Lizzie Bennet, a scholarship student at prestigious Longbourn Academy, is shunned by all her wealthier classmates except her kindly roommate Jane. Jane’s infatuation with Charles Bingley, her prospective date for the upcoming school formal, leads to several uncomfortable encounters between Lizzie and Charles’s friend Will Darcy, a shy but somewhat aloof student from nearby Pemberley. Although Janeites will have no trouble guessing the novel’s outcome, they “will still enjoy the merry chase as the Longbourn girls try to find suitable partners” for the dance, wrote a Kirkus Reviews critic, and in Booklist, Francisca Goldsmith called Prom and Prejudice “a fairly delightful blend of past and present value systems and social expectations.”
In Take a Bow, Eulberg takes readers into a highly competitive creative arts school in New York City. Told in alternating chapters, the novel follows four ambitious students—actor Carter, singer Sophie, and songwriters Emme and Ethan—through their senior year. The Senior Showcase recital is their opportunity to impress professionals and colleges, and each teen’s relationships with others—as well as their self-image—evolve as they prepare for their performance. As Sophie and Emme drift apart, Emme becomes closer to bandmate Ethan. For his part, Carter has been an actor since childhood, although he now realizes that his true passion is painting.
“Although the characters can feel one-dimensional at times, readers will enjoy this lighthearted novel,” predicted Rachael Myers-Ricker in a School Library Journal review of Take a Bow. A Publishers Weekly critic observed of Eulberg’s story that “cutthroat competitiveness is balanced by quiet, thoughtful moments of soul-searching” and predicted that “readers who love … underdogs … will be delighted.”
In Better off Friends, Eulberg spins a romantic comedy for teens that has drawn critical comparisons to the film When Harry Met Sally. Levi and Macallan meet and bond as seventh graders, when Levi becomes the new student due to a family move from California to Wisconsin, and Macallan is grieving the recent death of her mother. Eulberg’s story tracks their friendship over the next five years, as they date other people but develop romantic feelings for each other. The teens’ romantic timing, however, is always out of sync and, characterized by witty banter, Levi and Macallan’s stories unfold in alternating chapters as readers follow the ups and downs of their relationship.
In Booklist, Sarah Bean Thompson called Better off Friends “a humorous and cozy story about friendships and relationships, and the oh-so-fine line between them.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote that Levi and Macallan’s “roller-coaster relationship provides plenty of entertainment and romantic thrills,” while in Kirkus Reviews a critic praised Better off Friends as “a fun if lightweight read that will appeal widely to romance fans.”
With The Great Shelby Holmes, Eulberg opens a series of lively mystery novels. Shelby Holmes, a bright, prickly, pint-sized sixth-grader, has earned a reputation among her Harlem neighbors as an expert crime-solver. When John Watson, an even-tempered army brat, moves nearby, the pair become unlikely friends, eventually joining forces to search for a missing canine. “The overall message of accepting others is made without seeming overly preachy,” Ashley Leffel observed in School Library Journal.
Another installment in the series, The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match, finds the young sleuths investigating a troubling case at their school that pits Shelby against a worthy adversary. “Holmes’s know-it-all personality and Watson’s more laid-back persona continue to complement each other,” Leffel stated. Other titles in the series include The Great Shelby Holmes and the Coldest Case and The Great Shelby Holmes and the Haunted Hound.
Just Another Girl depicts “a love triangle with a hard-reality twist,” in the words of School Library Journal critic Sara Scribner. Hope Kaplan has long harbored a crush on her old friend, Brady, a charming and awkward high schooler. The only thing standing in the way of true love, Hope believes, is Brady’s seemingly perfect girlfriend, Parker, who monopolizes his time. When circumstances dictate that the two girls spend time together, Hope uncovers a startling and unpleasant truth about Parker’s home life that casts her “rival” in a new light.
Told primarily in the alternating first-person narratives of Hope and Parker, Just Another Girl earned solid reviews. “This quick read will appeal to readers looking for believable characters,” Diane Colson noted in Booklist. According to Scribner, “Parker—tough, confused, rightfully angry—is the star of this show,” and a writer in Kirkus Reviews similarly praised Eulberg’s “heartbreakingly real portrayal of a teen trying to survive against the odds.”
A high school senior discovers unsettling news about her family history in Past Perfect Life. Ally Smith lives simply but happily with her father in small-town Wisconsin. Once Ally’s college applications are red-flagged because of an issue with her social security number, however, events spiral out of control: her dad is arrested and charged with kidnapping Ally from her mother some fifteen years earlier. Forced to move to her mom’s home in Florida, Ally struggles to cope with the many changes.
A Publishers Weekly critic lauded Past Perfect Life, stating that “this thought-provoking novel captures the devastating legacy of family lies.” A writer in Kirkus Reviews felt that the book’s “honest pace, salt-of-the-earth protagonist, and sympathetic, well-rounded characters keep the conflict from being hyperbolic even though Ally’s story becomes national news.”
In The Best Worst Summer, eleven-year-old Peyton is distraught when her family moves four hours away from their Minneapolis home and her best friend Lily. Her summer perks up when she unearths a shoebox time capsule from 1989, detailing a similarly tested friendship between Melissa and Jess, and gets help from clever, wheelchair-bound Lucas figuring out what happened. Parallel chapters depict the decades-ago relationship between Jess, a Korean adoptee with white parents, and Melissa, whose livelihood is threatened by her father’s abuse.
AKirkus Reviews writer observed that Eulberg’s tale “vividly depicts the insecurities of middle school friendships as well as their sometimes seemingly uncanny bonds.” In School Library Journal, Shelley Sommer summed The Best Worst Summer up as a “story about the power of friendship” that will hit a chord with “readers experiencing big transitions—whether geographical or emotional.”
[OPEN NEW]
Eulberg launched a new middle-grade series, “Scared Silly,” with Curses Are the Worst. Four students are surprised to find themselves in detention, and then they are horrified to discover the reason. Their science teacher, Ms. Stein, wants to fulfill a 331-year-old curse and create an army of perfect clones based on the kids’ various strengths: Bennett’s likeable personality, Sofia’s intelligence, Regan’s heart, and Darius’s loyalty. After the clones start wreaking havoc, the foursome have to figure out how to break the curse and save their town.
A reviewer in Publishers Weekly enjoyed this series-starter, calling it a “spirited adventure.” They especially appreciated the “nonstop wordplay” and the “anonymous, fourth-wall-breaking narrator.” A writer in Kirkus Reviews liked how Eulberg is able to integrate “conversations about privilege and confronting historical injustice . . . without feeling didactic.” They called the book “more funny than scary.”
After two more books in the series, Zombie Wedding Crashers and Vampires Ruin Everything, Eulberg returned to her YA roots with Take a Chance on Me. After an embarrassing video goes viral, protagonist Evie flees to London for the summer. She enjoys getting to know the city, but she is less excited to spend time with her father, with whom she has struggled to have a relationship after her parents’ divorce a decade before. When she explores the streets of London, she bumps into Aiden, who, like Evie, is nursing a broken heart. Neither are sure they are ready for a relationship, but their attraction keeps building. Meanwhile, Evie has to figure out how to handle her father’s controlling personality and obsession with food.
“A winsome romance tempered by an astute exploration of family issues,” wrote a contributor in Kirkus Reviews. They especially appreciated the subplot in which “Evie strives to be true to herself in the face of her father’s disordered eating.” In School Library Journal, Jennifer Rummel wrote, “This romance will make readers want to travel to England, listen to British rock songs, and eat lots of chips.” Rummel noted that the book includes “several heavy topics” along with some “lighthearted moments.”
[CLOSE NEW]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 1, 2010, Heather Booth, review of The Lonely Hearts Club, p. 68; January 1, 2011, Francisca Goldsmith, review of Prom and Prejudice, p. 98; February 1, 2014, Sarah Bean Thompson, review of Better off Friends, p. 63; January 1, 2017, Diane Colson, review of Just Another Girl, p. 78.
Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2009, review of The Lonely Hearts Club; December 1, 2013, review of Better off Friends; December 1, 2016, review of Just Another Girl; July 1, 2017, review of The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match; May 1, 2019, review of Past Perfect Life; March 1, 2021, review of The Best Worst Summer; February 15, 2023, review of Curses Are the Worst; November 15, 2023, review of Vampires Ruin Everything; January 15, 2025, review of Take a Chance on Me.
Publishers Weekly, November 30, 2009, review of The Lonely Hearts Club, p. 49; December 6, 2010, review of Prom and Prejudice, p. 50; February 20, 2012, review of Take a Bow, p. 168; December 16, 2013, review of Better off Friends, p. 61; June 13, 2016, review of The Great Shelby Holmes, p. 99; May 6, 2019, review of Past Perfect Life, p. 63; January 30, 2023, review of Curses Are the Worst, p. 67.
School Library Journal, February, 2010, Patricia N. McClune, review of The Lonely Hearts Club, p. 108; April, 2012, Rachael Myers-Ricker, review of Take a Bow, p. 160; April, 2013, Traci Glass, review of Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, p. 160; June, 2016, Ashley Leffel, review of The Great Shelby Holmes, p. 92; February, 2017, Sara Scribner, review of Just Another Girl, p. 94; August, 2017, Ashley Leffel, review of The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match, p. 85; June, 2019, Lynn Rashid, review of Past Perfect Life, p. 82; April, 2021, Shelley Sommer, review of The Best Worst Summer, p. 117; March, 2025, Jennifer Rummel, review of Take a Chance on Me, p. 87.
Voice of Youth Advocates, April, 2017, Amanda Melilli, review of Just Another Girl, p. 59.
Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI), December 27, 2010, Jeanne Kolker, “Portage Native Updates Austen Classic for Teens.”
ONLINE
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, http://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/ (September 15, 2016), author Q&A.
Elizabeth Eulberg website, http://www.elizabetheulberg.com (July 21, 2025).
Entertainment Weekly, http://www.ew.com/ (January 26, 2011), Karen Valby, “What Does Stephenie Meyer’s Publicist Do in Her Spare Time? Write YA Novels, of Course.”
Jarrett Lerner website, https://jarrettlerner.com/ (April 27, 2021), “Get to Know … Elizabeth Eulberg!”
Publishers Weekly, http://www.publishersweekly.com/ (January 6, 2011), Sally Lodge, author Q&A.
YA Books Central, https://yabookscentral.com/ (March 6, 2025), Cherokee Crum, author interview.
The short and sweet version:
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to New York City to work in the publishing industry. While she got to work with amazing authors as a publicist, she also once had to play basketball dressed in a Clifford the Big Red Dog costume. Luckily life as a full-time author is just as exciting (and sometimes embarrassing) where she gets to research the best chocolate chip cookie in New York and how to pick a lock. She is the author of novels for teens and young readers, including internationally best-selling YA novels The Lonely Hearts Club and Better Off Friends, and the acclaimed Great Shelby Holmes middle-grade series. The second book in her newest, Scared Silly #2: Zombie Wedding Crashers is out now. Elizabeth lives in London, where she spends her free time going on long walks around her favorite city in the world and eating all of the scones. ALL OF THEM.
The long and babbling version:
I was born in the small town of Portage, Wisconsin and am the youngest of four children. My father owned a clothing store, called (appropriately enough) Eulberg’s, that had been in my family since 1929. My mother was a teacher then stayed at home with us kids until I was old enough to go to school. She eventually became a high school librarian…at the high school I attended! (And no, she did not play favorites. Ever.)
Growing up, three things dominated my life: traveling, music and reading. I still have passion for all three today.
Traveling:
Every summer my parents packed us all up in a van, complete with a tent that slept six—and we travelled for two weeks to a different parts of the country. Being the youngest child, there are many pictures of me crying in numerous historical landmarks across the United States: Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon—you get the idea. Of course, as soon as I was able to appreciate these trips, my parents decided to stop doing them. Something about us wanting to spend more time in the campsite pool than site-seeing…
My love of travel prompted me to become a foreign exchange student the summer between my junior and senior year of high school (if you do it in the summer – no homework!). I lived in the tiny village of Bühler, Switzerland and got to travel all around Switzerland. I also studied abroad my junior year of college in London. I have since travelled extensively around Europe, been to Australia (twice!), New Zealand, Argentina, Peru… I have a lot more places that I want to go and think Portugal or Iceland will be next on my list. Or Japan. So many places…
Music:
My mother had me begin taking piano lessons when I was five since, she says, I banged on the piano more than my two older sisters who were taking lessons. Music became my main obsession throughout childhood. I started playing the clarinet when I was in fourth grade and even played the drums in marching band in high school (how cool was I?). A few years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to play the guitar. I still keep up with the piano, although I’m nowhere near the level I was in high school and continue my quest with guitar lessons to become a full-out rock star (some day!). It was my love of music that led to my career in publicity… but more on that in a bit.
Reading:
Reading didn’t come easy to me as a young kid. In the first grade, I was put in the lowest reading level. It was very frustrating to have my friends not struggle with reading like I did. I felt like something must be “wrong” with me. By second grade, I was tested and we discovered I had a couple learning differences, including a mild version of dyslexia. I worked with my mother and teachers to help me find ways to become a better reader. Luckily, I grew out of most of my differences, although I still have the occasional flare up, especially if I’m tired and not paying attention. By around fourth grade, I became an avid reader.
The first book series that I remember becoming enthralled by was the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. I was hooked instantly and followed Betsy from the first book to the last, Betsy’s Wedding (I always laugh when publishers say kids don’t want to read about adults). I also remember reading Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and, of course, Little Women. I say “of course” about Little Women since my mom wanted me to be called Beth, after the character from the book (oh, and I have a sister named Meg). But alas, I never went by Beth. I prefer Elizabeth (and still do).
My next reading craze happened when I started reading the Sweet Valley High series. My mother always encouraged us to read. While some people would prefer their children to read more “literary” books, my mother didn’t care. She was just happy I was biking to the library every day to pick up the next book. When I finished that series, my mother put Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt in my hand. I quickly read the sequel, Dicey’s Song, and then every book written by Ms. Voigt.
When I was in Switzerland for the summer, I’d read all the books I brought with me, so I went to a bookstore and scanned the one rack of English-language books and bought the thickest one: Stephen King’s Four Past Midnight. For the remainder of high school and college, I pretty much read Stephen King exclusively.
One would think that a career in publishing would be a given, but not quite…
Publishing career:
Music dominated my high school existence. If I wasn’t practicing piano or playing in pep band, jazz band, etc., I was listening to music. A career in the music industry was something I aspired to. My mother, the librarian, got a book for me called Careers in the Music Industry. When I looked through that book there were two careers that interested me the most: public relations and A&R. After doing research, I knew public relations would be the perfect fit.
I went to Syracuse University and attended the Newhouse School of Public Communications, which has one of the best PR programs in the country. After graduation, I got a job at a small entertainment PR firm. I wanted to work in music, film or TV. Then I got a fateful call from a reporter asking about a book published by one of our licensing clients. When I called the head of publicity at the publishing company, he mentioned they were looking for a publicist. And asked if I knew of anybody. Feeling unhappy at my current job, I quickly said yes. I had the new position the next week.
I worked in publishing for over 10 years (yes, I started when I was 14) on numerous titles from picture books to middle-grade to young adult. I’ve been able to meet some of the amazing authors I admired as a child. But never did I ever think that I would be an author myself.
Writing:
I always was kicking around stories in my head. Usually they involved my celebrity crush at that moment and I living happily ever after. I had a lot of people tell me that I should write, but I kept thinking about all the people who think that writing a book is easy, anybody can do it. What makes me any different? Why should I think that I could write a book?
Finally, I decided to give it a try. I started with a couple of ideas that fizzled out, mostly because they were too serious. Then I remembered the books that I really enjoyed as a teen, books that were fun. It wasn’t easy and took a long time, but I finally did it. My first novel, The Lonely Hearts Club came out in December 2009.
In early 2011, I made the transition to writing full-time. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of my story.
FUN FACTS (FOR THOSE DOING SCHOOL PROJECTS OR JUST CURIOUS)
Birthday: July 15th
When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a rock star and an astronaut. I pretend to be a rock star when I sing karaoke and will have to stick to gazing at the stars…for now.
I get my ideas for my stories from a lot of different places: real life, fictional characters, boys being, well, boys… To find out the inspiration behind a specific book, go to that books page and scroll to BEHIND THE BOOK!
I don’t have any pets (I’m allergic), but I love English bulldogs…and Frenchies and pugs… Basically if a dog has a smushed nose, I’m ALL ABOUT IT.
My favorite things to do in my free time are: going to see live music, reading, going to the movies, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and cooking. But I prefer eating over cooking. Who doesn’t?
Favorite food: cheese! Macaroni and cheese is a particular favorite food…because IT’S THE BEST.
I can speak Spanish…sort of. I can read it better than speak it, but can get by when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. I also know a little bit of German.
Favorite superhero: WONDER WOMAN!!
Favorite movie: WONDER WOMAN!!
FAQ
I live in [insert your country here]–when will your book be out in my country/language?
Here’s the crazy thing about foreign editions, authors have no control over IF AND WHEN a book will be published in a specific language. It’s up to the foreign publisher if they are going to take a book. When I do get information, I’ll share it here and social media, so be sure to follow me. Also, your local bookstore and library will have more information than me! Crazy, but true!
I’m thinking of writing a book? How can I get published?
First thing, don’t worry about getting published. Write! I have a lot of people ask me about how to get published before they even write one word. Write! And write about what interests you, not what is “hot” at the moment. You will have to edit and edit and edit your book and read it dozens and dozens of times. Write for yourself first and foremost. Everything else can wait until later. Ask someone you trust who will give you an honest opinion to read your manuscript. Don’t be afraid of criticism, look it at a way to improve your work. Good luck!
Okay, okay. I’m finished writing my book. How can I get published?
You need a literary agent. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts (ones that don’t come from an agent). There are a lot of great resources online to help you find an agent – writersdigest.com and literarymarketplace.com are two good places to start. Also, I’ve been writing a series of blogs called “Behind the Book” that talks about the publishing process.
Can I send you my book to read? Can you help me get it published?
Unfortunately, I can’t read any manuscripts or proposals. Not only would I not have time to write if I read everything sent to me, but as an employee of a publishing house, I’m not allowed to read unsolicited material.
I hear that you know [insert author’s name here].
Can you give me their information? Can you forward a message to them?
Sorry, but no. If you’re on this website in hopes to get in contact with another author, try going to that author’s website and see if they have contact information.
Can I send you books to sign?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the capacity to accept books to sign. If I’m doing any book signings (check the EVENTS page), you can always contact the store to get a personalized copy.
Can you come to my school/local bookstore?
I love doing school and bookstore visits, but my schedule really isn’t up to me. Have your teacher or local bookseller go to my contact page to see about scheduling a visit.
I love your book, you should think about making it into a movie!
Believe me, I’d love for one of my books to be adapted, but authors have very little control over whether or not their books get adapted. Movies take a lot of money to make so a movie studio or production house has to option the book first. It’s a long process, but you never know! Maybe one day!
THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB
Will there be a sequel to The Lonely Hearts Club?
YES! We Can Work it Out will be released in the US in early 2015. Read more about the sequel and the three short stories I’m writing here.
Who is who on the cover of the book?
The girls on the cover of the book aren’t technically supposed to be a certain character. But if you were to ask me (which you did!), I see them as (from right to left): Diane (with the dress on), Tracy, Penny (with flip flops) and the fourth person could be Morgan or Jen or Amy…
Where did you get the idea for the book?
Good question! Check out the Back Story on the LHC page!
Are you a Beatles fan?
Heck yeah! They are the greatest band of all time after all. I have a section on them (including an embarrassing photo of me from college) on the LHC page.
Favorite Beatles song?
Gah! I knew I’d be asked this question when I wrote a book that is heavily influenced by the Beatles, but I still don’t have a good answer for this because I can’t pick just one Beatles song. I love them too much. So here are my top picks: “Ticket to Ride,” “Blackbird,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something,” “Penny Lane,” “Revolution,” “Come Together,” “I’m Looking Through You,” “Eleanor Rigby,” – I could seriously go on and on…
PROM & PREJUDICE
Where did you get the idea to write Prom & Prejudice?
Prom & Prejudice came from my love of Jane Austen’s classic Pride & Prejudice. I wanted to write a modern retelling of her book. There’s more information on the backstory on the BOOKS page for Prom & Prejudice.
Why aren’t all the characters in Pride and Prejudice in
Prom & Prejudice?
To make the book fit into a modern setting, I had to change the relationships of a few of the characters (for instance, Jane and Elizabeth are sisters in the original, but roommates in my book). I also couldn’t include everybody, most notably Mary and Kitty, the other two Bennet sisters (although I do give them a shout-out at the end). The two characters that I wish I could’ve included more of in my retelling were Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. They are two of my favorite characters in the original, but in the world I created it, I had to make them a little different. But honestly, there was no way I would’ve top the original so I wasn’t even going to try!
TAKE A BOW
Are you going to write a sequel to Take a Bow?
I don’t have any plans to at the moment. I did, however, originally write a “Ten Years Later” epilogue that we decided to not include in the book. So I do know what happens to all the characters.
REVENGE OF THE GIRL
WITH THE GREAT PERSONALITY
Are you going to write a sequel to Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality? What happens to Lexi and her mom? What about Taylor? How could you do this to us?
Out of all of my books, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality is the one that has the most unresolved answers at the end. However, I’m sorry to say, I don’t have any plans to do a sequel, but you never know! I knew from the very beginning that the book would end with Lexi choosing to remain single because she knows she has a lot of work to do with herself and her family before she could ever be in a relationship. (You have to love and be happy with yourself before you can truly share yourself with someone else.) But I do like to think that once she did figure that all out, maybe she could give Taylor another try.
I will say one thing that threw me was that Taylor wasn’t supposed to be as awesome as he ended up being. Fans of Friday Night Lights might’ve noticed that the name Taylor Riggins is a mesh of the actor Taylor Kitsch and the character he plays on the show, Tim Riggins. It was supposed to be a name, but wouldn’t you know that Taylor started to become this awesome guy. Sometimes characters really do take on a life of their own and even I was like, “GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER LEXI AND NOT SCREW THIS UP!” But alas, she needed to learn a few lessons.
At the end of the day, not every story will be wrapped up in a shiny bow. Revenge… is probably my most realistic book in terms of endings. But I do appreciate that people are so invested in Lexi that they want to make sure she’s okay (I can verify that she is!).
BETTER OFF FRIENDS
Are you going to write a sequel to Better Off Friends?
I get this question almost every day and I’m sorry to say the answer is no. I really like how I left things with Macallan and Levi. If I write a sequel, I’m only going to have to mess things up with them because a 300-page story where everything is great and wonderful is a really boring read. I already put those two kids through enough. Although I love how invested people are in these characters and want to make sure that things are okay with them. Let me assure you, they are great. The banter they have between pages could’ve happened at anytime: on their first date, on their ten year anniversary–it doesn’t matter. They are happy and together and I’m going to leave it at that. 🙂
Interview With Elizabeth Eulberg (Take a Chance on Me)
March 6, 2025No Comments
Written by Cherokee Crum, Blog Manager and Staff Reviewer
Posted in Authors, Interviews, News & Updates
Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Elizabeth Eulberg (Take a Chance on Me)!
Meet the Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to New York City to work in the publishing industry. She is the author of novels for teens and young readers, including internationally best-selling YA novels The Lonely Hearts Club and Better Off Friends, and the acclaimed Great Shelby Holmes middle-grade series. The second book in her newest series, Scared Silly #2: Zombie Wedding Crashers is out now. Elizabeth lives in London, where she spends her free time going on long walks around her favorite city in the world and eating all of the scones. ALL OF THEM.
Website * Instagram * Threads * BlueSky
About the Book: Take a Chance on Me
The international bestselling author of Better Off Friends returns to form with a love story that’s Once meets The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.
Evie is heartbroken and betrayed when a video of her confronting her cheating ex-boyfriend goes viral, so what’s a girl to do? Flee to London for the summer, of course! Evie loves everything about London – the double decker buses, afternoon tea, history around every corner. Everything that is but having to stay with the person who’s hurt her most of all – her father.
Desperate for a distraction from their contentious relationship, Evie spends her days wandering the historic streets . . . whereas though fate is intervening, she keeps meeting a charming and beautiful British busker named Aiden.
Evie doesn’t want to open herself up again, but Aiden is funny, kind, and he never treats Evie like she’s too much. He may just be worth taking a chance on . . . if Evie can keep her past from getting in the way of her future.
Internationally bestselling author Elizabeth Eulberg pens an unforgettable journey that’s heartwarming, hilarious, and heavy on both romance and jetlag.
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~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I really wanted to get back to writing YA romcoms–the books of my heart!–and knew I wanted to set it in London, my favorite city in the world. So I had to figure out why a girl would come to London, enter Evie, who’s dad is British and lives in London. I needed to find a reason she would go there (her boyfriend cheats on her and her response goes viral) and wanted her to have a difficult relationship with her father (he left Evie and her mother when she was little). Then with every romcom, we need a love interest and what’s better than a cute boy who plays guitar! Hello, Aiden, the British busker!
YABC: What research did you do to write this book?
The research for Take a Chance on Me was pure torture: walking around London, going to high tea at the Ritz, listening to Brit Pop… All kidding aside, Evie has a very difficult relationship with her father because of his issues around control, which manifest in disordered eating. I did a lot of research around control issues and we had a licensed family therapist at the UC San Diego Eating Disorders Center read the book to make sure I did my best to handle the sensitive nature of this topic.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
I struggled with reading when I was younger (I had a couple learning differences, including dyslexia), but it was the Betsy-Tacy books and then the Sweet Valley High series that turned me into a voracious reader. So I like to write books that are fun. There will always be humor (I like to think I’m hilarious) and heart. A reader once told me that my books are like a best friend, and that was just the best compliment!
YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
I had a lot of fun writing Take a Chance on Me, since it’s full of fun banter, but there was one scene that I was itching to write (I like to write in order and don’t skip ahead, but that’s just me). It’s a HUGE turning point in the book, but it’s a spoiler. But believe me, when you get there, you’re going to know. And also, sorry. (Not sorry.)
YABC: If you could time travel what would you want to see?
As a huge Beatles fan, I would love to travel to Liverpool pre-1964 to see the Beatles play in the Cavern.
YABC: What daily thing do you see that brings you joy?
Even though I’ve lived in London for over four years now, I love just walking around my new home. I love the history, the tiny side streets, I’m VERY smitten. Plus, walks are where I come up with my ideas. Win-win all around!
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
If We Were a Movie by Zakiya Jamal–a YA super fun enemies-to-lovers romcom, set against the backdrop of a historic-Black owned movie theatre. Coming in April!
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
Authors Against Book Banning–I feel very strongly that everybody deserves to have themselves represented on the page. My mother was a high school librarian where she fought book bans and censorship, it’s a torch I’m proud to take from her, but frustrating that we still need to have this fight. Let kids read!
YABC: What’s up next for you?
So thrilled that I can finally talk about what’s next as it was a secret for so long! The Taylor’s Version #1: Love Stories–about four girls all named after Taylor Swift–is coming this fall (October 7, 2025). Jen Calonita is writing their middle-grade story (The Taylors) while I get them in high school when first loves interfere with their friendship. A sequel, Cruel Summer, is coming in Spring 2026!
Title: Take a Chance on Me
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Romance
Age Range: Age 12 and up
Tags: Elizabeth Eulberg, Interview, Scholastic, Take a Chance on Me
Curses Are the Worst (Scared Silly #1)
Elizabeth Eulberg. Scholastic Press, $7.99 paper (208p) ISBN 978-1-338-81535-1
Opening with a content warning sendup ("broccoli, lightning, annoying siblings") and quickly traveling back in time, Eulberg (The Best Worst Summer) starts this lively series kickoff with a brief look at the Salem witch trials. Parenthetical-studded prose details the flight of witch Ann Wilder from Salem to small-town Cauldron's Cove, where Wilder is blamed for an errant bolt of lightning and burned at the stake--and where a mathematical error causes her dying curse to remain dormant for 331 years. "Fast-forward to the time of the internet, long hot showers, and flushing toilets," whete, in contemporary Cauldron's Cove, 10-year-old Regan Charles, who's dyslexic and has an auditory-processing condition, finds herself in detention despite having done nothing wrong. As beloved science teacher Ms. Stein begins to enact Ann Wilder's late-breaking revenge, Regan and her fellow detention denizens--sporty, blond Bennett Norland; his megasmart future stepsister, Sofia Vargas; and mayor's son Darius Washington, a superhero fan--are .thrown into a high-stakes adventure around the witch's curse. Nonstop wordplay and an anonymous, fourth-wall-breaking narrator make for a spirited adventure. Most characters read as white; Sofia and Darius are described as having brown skin. Ages 8-12. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Mar.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 PWxyz, LLC
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"Curses Are the Worst (Scared Silly #1)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 270, no. 5, 30 Jan. 2023, p. 67. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A737039792/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=64f163dc. Accessed 24 June 2025.
Eulberg, Elizabeth CURSES ARE THE WORST Scholastic (Children's None) $7.99 3, 7 ISBN: 9781338815351
An elementary school Breakfast Club jumps into action when their science teacher starts cloning them.
Something smells when 10-year-old Regan Charles and fellow fifth graders Bennett Norland, Sofia Vargas, and Darius Washington find themselves in detention for the flimsiest of reasons. Even more suspicious, their typically fun science teacher, Ms. Stein, collects specimens of hair, saliva, and snot from the group. When they discover her plan to create the perfect student, it's up to them to save the day. Despite the subject matter, this one is more funny than scary. Frequent asides from the narrator, though humorous, may break the book's flow for some readers. Fortunately, the multifaceted protagonists make up for that. Regan, a proud fat girl who wears bright colors and isn't afraid to take up space, is in tune with her fears and anxieties but doesn't let them hold her back from being selfless, brave, and awesome. Outwardly confident Bennett must learn to stand up to his friends while trying to win over his prickly, soon-to-be stepsister, Sofia, who may have a softer interior than anyone realizes. As a Black boy, Darius deals with racism; he also feels the pressure of being the son of Cauldron Cove's mayor when he just wants to bake, hang out with friends, and read his comics. Conversations about privilege and confronting historical injustice are included without feeling didactic. Regan and Bennett present as White; Sofia is cued as Latine; Ms. Stein is described as having curly dark hair.
Short on chills but big on humor and heart. (Fiction. 9-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Eulberg, Elizabeth: CURSES ARE THE WORST." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A736806085/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=396f55f3. Accessed 24 June 2025.
Eulberg, Elizabeth VAMPIRES RUIN EVERYTHING Scholastic (Children's None) $7.99 1, 2 ISBN: 9781338815375
Having saved Cauldron's Cove from clones and zombies in previous books, Darius, Regan, and stepsiblings Sofia and Bennett reunite to protect their town once more.
Darius and his mom, the mayor of Cauldron's Cove, are preparing for Halloween, a holiday that brings hordes of tourists to the town each year. When four carnival workers turn up drained of blood, levelheaded Darius, brainy and dyslexic Regan, prickly Sofia, and popular and resourceful Bennett investigate. A strange new family dressed in black has checked in to Regan's family's bed-and-breakfast, and Regan is crushing on their son but could the newcomers be vampires? The four friends support each other through ups and downs--as when Regan is taunted by fatphobic bullies--all while stockpiling Super Soakers filled with holy water to wage war on the vampires. Intrepid readers who disregard the unseen narrator's introductory warning of "super terrifying and grody scenes" to come will be rewarded. The narrator's sophisticated vocabulary is balanced by the occasional mention of farts and "spoiler alerts." The funny asides are most effective when they give readers a break from more intense moments. If scenes involving black vomit and bubbling skin seem a bit over the top for tweens, readers can't say they weren't warned. Darius is Black, while Sofia is Latine, and Regan and Bennett are white.
Hand to middle graders seeking horror laced with humor and tinged with budding romance. (Fiction. 9-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Eulberg, Elizabeth: VAMPIRES RUIN EVERYTHING." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Nov. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A772515456/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f33aca26. Accessed 24 June 2025.
Eulberg, Elizabeth TAKE A CHANCE ON ME Scholastic (Teen None) $12.99 3, 4 ISBN: 9781546129271
After a relationship disaster, a 17-year-old American escapes to London, where she finds the one thing she's trying to avoid.
Evie's had a strained relationship with her father ever since her parents' divorce a decade earlier and his return home to England. Swearing off relationships after discovering her boyfriend was hooking up with her close friend, Evie decides that London's the perfect place to run away to for the summer. While walking off her jet lag, Evie is drawn to a busker who's performing a sorrowful song. The next day, in a different part of the city, she runs into him again--and this time, she asks him out for a coffee. She fights her feelings, but she's drawn to Aiden, who's deeply wounded himself. As their tension and chemistry build, Evie also struggles with her father: They push each other's buttons, and he's very controlling, especially when it comes to food, which affects how he interacts with Evie. Over the summer, they attempt to create a healthy relationship, although her dad struggles to meet her halfway. While Evie's relationship with Aiden is full of bubbly banter and romantic beats, the novel is deepened by the storyline in which Evie strives to be true to herself in the face of her father's disordered eating. Central characters present white; there's some ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.
A winsome romance tempered by an astute exploration of family issues. (author's note)(Romance. 13-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Eulberg, Elizabeth: TAKE A CHANCE ON ME." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A823102382/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f7a0c3f3. Accessed 24 June 2025.
* EULBERG, Elizabeth. Take a Chance On Me. 304p. Scholastic. Mar. 2025. pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781546129271.
Gr 9 Up-After a horrible break-up and friendship betrayal, Evie flees the country. She travels to London for the summer to stay with her semi-estranged father. Evie's father became obsessive about food and control; it got worse after the divorce. He makes comments to Evie about food, and she's uncomfortable eating around him. While she's not crazy about being around her father for the summer, at least she won't have to see her former friends having their best summer ever. In the first few days wandering around London, Evie meets a busker, Aiden, who seems as heartbroken as she is. She strikes up a conversation with him and blurts out her story, sharing that she's not looking to date anyone right now. After hearing his sad songs, she assumes that he's gone through a break-up as well. They start hanging out, and she's introduced to his group of friends. After a lot of soul-searching and conversations with her father's ex-girlfriend, Evie starts to wonder if she can trust opening her heart again. While this book tackles several heavy topics--grief, body image, controlling behaviors, trust issues, learning to ask for help, father-daughter relationships--there are a few lighthearted moments included. This romance will make readers want to travel to England, listen to British rock songs, and eat lots of chips. Main characters are white. Hand this one to all romance readers. Highly recommended.--Jennifer Rummel
KEY: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre. BL Bilingual | S Streaming
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Rummel, Jennifer. "EULBERG, Elizabeth. Take a Chance On Me." School Library Journal, vol. 71, no. 3, Mar. 2025, p. 87. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A836878383/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c2dbb9b1. Accessed 24 June 2025.