Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Yet another cliquey series, but with a nicer star.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say the book is captivating and addictive, reflecting high school drama with some mature themes such as bad language, alcohol, and sex. Many readers appreciate its engaging plot and character growth, although some caution that it may not be appropriate for younger audiences due to its content.
- engaging plot
- mature themes
- addictive read
- high school drama
- character growth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When Reed transfers to Easton Academy, she wants to escape her old life, including an abusive, addicted mother. Usually a loner, Reed soon earns attention from two sources: A clique of the school's most popular girls, and a handsome bad boy. But each pressures her to make a choice -- and Reed is not sure she who she can really trust, if anyone.
Is It Any Good?
This series starter has a lot of the trappings of the clique lit genre: An elite boarding school, a group of beautiful and popular girls, and lots of mean talk and pranks. It also has another common trapping: The debut sets up a lot of intrigue, but nothing is resolved (and it's unclear what lessons the protagonist has actually learned). What sets this book a little apart is that protagonist Reed is a realistic and sympathetic character. Blue-collar Reed can't wait to escape her boring hometown and her abusive, addicted mother. But she's flawed, too -- when Thomas accuses her of using him, he's right. And she uses the popular Billings Girls to a certain degree as well, though she's not driven by materialism, but rather a deep longing to belong.
In the end, readers will connect with Reed -- and all the drama she finds at Easton Academy, from discovering that her boyfriend is the school drug dealer to suspecting that the Billings Girls helped get someone expelled. Teens taking a break from required reading will likely find enough fun here to have them RSVPing for the next installment, Invitation Only.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of the clique lit genre. Are these types of books simply escape, or do they promote dangerous values? Do they impact the way girls treat one another -- or themselves?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon Pulse
- Publication date : June 27, 2006
- Number of pages : 240
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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