We Are the Goldens

Gr 9 Up—At the heart of this work of realistic fiction is a close but complicated relationship between two sisters as they come of age. For as long as 15-year-old Nell can remember, her best friend has been her older sister, Layla. The two girls are confidantes, and Nell aspires to be as accomplished, and well respected as Layla. But when Nell begins her freshman year at the high school where Layla is a junior, she begins to suspect that something isn't right in Layla's world. She worries about her sister throughout the school year and finally discovers that Layla is concealing a romantic involvement with a teacher. Reinhardt approaches this complex and heavy issue from Nell's perspective as she struggles with whether to alert an adult to her sibling's inappropriate relationship. Although there are a handful of poignant moments and Reinhardt sets up a realistic plotline, the story isn't as substantial as one might hope, and the writing is occasionally uneven. This is a novel that could rank among Wintergirls (Viking, 2009) and Thirteen Reasons Why (Penguin, 2007) in that it addresses a tough but relevant issue for teens; however, it falls slightly short in its lack of complexity and consistency.—Allie Bronston, Colorado Academy, Denver, CO