some girls are by Courtney Summers

Regina Afton is part of the Fearsome Fivesome, the most popular clique in school. They are feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High, and Regina hasn't spared anything - or anyone- in her climb up the social ladder. But climbing it isn't as hard as falling from it. One night, one party changes everything, and soon, vicious rumors are spread about her and her best friend Anna's boyfriend. As Regina tries to recover from that disastrous night with almost more disastrous consequences, her ex-best friends declare her "out", and are looking for revenge. But the truth isn't in the rumors, and as each day progresses, the rumors and bullying get more intense. She seeks solace in the comfort of a misfit, Michael Hayden, who she used to bully, and friendship does not come easily for the two of them. As Regina tries to make amends for her previous mistakes, she realizes that Michael has been there all along, and suddenly he could be so much more than just a friend. As threats from the new Fearsome Foursome get worse, she realizes that their actions could affect everyone she now holds dear, and has to make a decision: save herself? Or save the ones she loves? Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year come to a explosive conclusion.

Courtney Summers has done a great job describing the turbulence of high school bullying. Every school has its cliques, with the mean girls and the victims, and this story is no exception. Every character is complex and conflicted with hidden problems that really make people wonder what people are like under their outlying facade. Regina is shallow, but underneath the guise, she agonizes over the horrible thing she has done. Michael is a truly good person, and as he supports Regina with unfailing conviction, you understand why Regina starts to like him. Anna is shallow and selfish, with an agenda to control everything in the school. Her abuse of Regina compels me to wonder how a girl could be so venomous. Kara and Donnie honestly disgust me with their appalling behavior, and although I can understand Kara's inner conflict, she still goes to enormous lengths to torture everyone else. This book satisfied me, and I can't help but ponder the outrageous actions of some people to an event that will not really matter. Summers managed to make me feel all of the anger, desperation, exhaustion, loneliness, fear, exaltation, and hope that the characters feel. She delves into the gritty, dangerous world of high school with honesty and a painfully real perspective. Her portayal of the sometimes twisted, mean, brutal, and tormented space that is the mind of a teenage girl is uncomfortably real, but accurate. She spins a wonderful tale of strength through the hardest times.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

before i fall by Lauren Oliver

What if today was your last day? What would you do? Who would you spend it with? And how far would you go to save your life? Samantha Kingston has it all: the friends, the popularity, and the hot boyfriend. But one day changes everything....Friday February 12, should be a normal day in her perfect life - but it isn't. Instead, it's her last. And she gets a second chance. Seven second chances, to be able to relive that last day over and over again. Because her last day centers around the two words: what if? What if she only had one day to live- and seven chances to fix it? What if her life wasn't as perfect as she imagined? What if she was blindly staring past what had been right for her all along? Maybe you can afford to wait. To have a tomorrow, or a thousand tomorrows. Time you can waste. But for Samantha, there's only that Friday. And the truth is, you never really know. As Samantha relives her last day, she has chances to fix what she did wrong, realize all that she had missed before, and discover the true value of what she is in danger of leaving behind.

This book has inspired me in so many ways. Lauren Oliver does not disappoint with her debut novel. I can't even begin to describe the myriad of emotions this book and its characters has put me through. I have felt affection for their silly but lovable personalities, frustration with their ignorance at what really was important, compassion during the sad times of grief, and anger during fate's cruel interference. Samantha is smart, but first, she had to open her eyes to what she thought was wrong for her- and is actually completely right. Kent tugged at my heartstrings, trying to be the hero, the knight in shining armor that Sam never had. Lindsay, Elody, and Ally are shallow and selfish, but underneath the facade are girls who would sacrifice anything for each other. And Juliet, although resigned to her supposed fate, has no idea of the way her life is going to change forever in the blink of an eye, and the sacrifices some are willing to make to ensure she does not make a tragic mistake. This book has really opened my eyes to the recurring ignorance in people's lives. We don't appreciate the simple things life gives us, and we only see what we want to see. We don't realize that all our actions cause a chain reaction, larger than we could've ever expected. So, before your next harsh word, avoided stare, pointed accusation, or cruel action, ask yourself: What if today was my last day? It teaches a lesson that all of us can learn, and Lauren Oliver has truly written a book that opens eyes, touches hearts, and will stay with you throughout the ages.

Rating: 5 stars

A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

Senior year is finally here for Fiona. That means a new chance at getting her crush, Gabe, and her chance to end high school with a bang... right? WRONG! Her principal is taking out her bitterness from her divorce on the seniors, by making them participate in a mandatory marriage course called Trying the Knot! This was definitely not how Fiona imagined her last year of high school to be. So when she has to "try the knot" with the school's super-jock Todd Harding, she despairs at how bad her senior year is gonna be. Nothing could get worse...until her crush gets assigned to her arch-enemy - Todd's super popular, beautiful girlfriend Amanda. And her best friend Marcie's fate isn't much better - a year with Johnny Mercer, who's very goofy and very big. As Fiona and Todd tentatively enter their newfound "marriage", hijinks ensue and from the start, they enter a series of pranks trying to best one another. And it leaves Fiona wondering: Is her best friend really telling her everything? Does Johnny really have more to him than an awesome taste for music? And the most stunning one of all: Does Todd Harding actually have a heart under his jock-boy exterior?

As soon as I picked up this book, I could not stop laughing. Kristin Harding provides a original, surprisingly not cliche plot that leaves you guessing and wondering: what will happen next? Se creates a love-hate relationship between both the characters themselves and also your relationship with the characters. You will groan at their mindless mistakes, laugh at their hilarious pranks, and grin at their moments of loyalty and friendship. Fiona, although headstrong and clever, sometimes cannot think of anyone other than herself and can really make clueless mistakes. Todd, although an arrogant jerk at first, leaves you guessing throughout the entire book about his true character. Johnny lets you sigh a little at his romantic nature and wonderful personality, and Marcie can make you scream out in frustration but sympathize with her other times. Kristin Harding creates a masterful tale of laughs, groans, and truly wonderful experiences that would make even the most commitment conscious teens want to experience this marriage course.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars