Cassie Meets Melvin: A Story About Love, Snack Food, and World Domination

A book by Lori M. Balster ’94

UD research chemist — and avid writer — Balster puts a new spin on the typical high-school sweetheart story in her novel, which profiles a smart, blond 15-year-old girl and the 17-year-old green-haired punk who falls for her. “I’m so tired of the Hollywood narrative where the pretty blond cheerleader is won by the geeky guy with glasses that no one thought had a chance,” she said. “That narrative has no resonance with me. This country is about choice. We should have more narrative choices, too.”