Gr 7 Up–This engrossing and timely story begins as Leslie Gatlin makes the decision to end her own life. The rest of the novel is told in alternating points of view by the students who played a part in her decision to commit suicide. This intense snapshot of cyberbullying includes the stereotypical queen bee and her minions, who continually send Leslie messages telling her to kill herself and perpetuate vicious rumors insinuating that she is a slut, has had plastic surgery, and a variety of other hurtful comments. Davis does a passable job of presenting the different voices as the teens’ part in Leslie’s bullying is unveiled, although she does occasionally include expressions not heard in the halls of a typical high school. He makes up for these small inconsistencies in his characterization of Jake, her one friend, and the fast-paced storytelling that keeps unraveling layers to the mystery surrounding why each person chose to harass Leslie. Without becoming too didactic or unrealistic, the conclusion clearly spells out the message that teenagers should think before they speak or post something. While this offering is not as emotionally powerful as Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why (Penguin, 2007), it certainly deserves its place on library shelves.–Tammy Turner, Centennial High School, Frisco, TX
Leslie Gatlin's suicide due to relentless high school bullying provides the backdrop for the interconnected stories of the four friends who each played a role in the escalating torment. The characters' complex relationships with Leslie are slowly revealed as each bully tries to shift blame. Alternating first-person narration creates a confusing but multilayered look at a timely topic.
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