Poor Little Dead Girls

Gr 9 Up—Portland, Oregon high school junior Sadie accepts a lacrosse scholarship to elite Keating Hall Academy in Virginia with some reluctance. Although her mother, now deceased, had attended Keating, financially strapped Sadie isn't quite sure that she'll fit in with the wealthy, self-assured girls who make up the student body, especially when she is assigned to room with two other transfer students, British royals (with bodyguards, no less). Once classes and lacrosse practice start, she eventually finds her niche with the other team members and begins to settle in. When Sadie is blindfolded and "kidnapped" one night, she's absolutely terrified, but luckily it's just a prank initiation into a powerful secret society. She becomes accustomed to the instant popularity, wealth, and privilege surrounding her and understands that membership in this society could ensure successful future choices in college, career, and even love (with hunky Jeremy, who attends the "brother" school, DeGraffenreid). She's disturbed when she learns that her mother and another lacrosse player, Anna, both had been in the secret society as well and both committed suicide. Will Sadie uncover the truth, or will she be the next victim of the "Keating curse"? First-time author Friend offers excellent pacing, good character development, and an exciting plot in this dark, devious mystery featuring some drugs, sex, and other illicit behavior. Older teens who enjoy "Pretty Little Liars" (HarperCollins) will eat this one up.—Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY