The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Madison has kept a secret for a long time. Her father wants it that way. He makes her change her appearance and monitors her every move to make sure no one ever finds out. What would the people in their small town of Georgia think if they knew that Madison was bi-racial?

Even though everyone thinks Madison is white, she does not move through her school unnoticed. In fact, she is the target of bullying with her old clothes and quiet, loner status. After an incident that goes viral, Madison is exposed and things escalate quickly. 

Some of the popular kids blame her when they get into trouble for bullying so they amp it up. One girl wants to rectify her friends' behavior (although her motives are questionable), so she proposes that her black boyfriend (a popular member of the football team) ask Madison to the prom. 

One more thing: Madison begins to realize she has the power to move things and control fire with her mind. A skill that is dangerous and powerful (particularly when dealing with bullies). It also scares the hell out of father. 

This is an homage to Stephen King's Carrie with racism as a huge motivator. The town is so backwards that the white and black students have separate proms ("because that's the way it's always been"). The popular black football player has never bothered with racial issues not wanting it to effect his future in football, but Madison's presence starts to change that. Madison's father is so afraid people knowing the truth that he painfully straightens her hair and locks her in closet covered with pictures of beautiful white woman so she doesn't forget what she is supposed to be. 

The whole system is so messed up that no one in this town remains untouched by its racist past and present. Ultimately, they cannot escape the consequences either. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog. 

Hopepunk by Preston Norton

Hope's sister Faith runs away after being outed to their extremely religious parents. The threat of being sent to a 'conversion camp' is enough to make her leave everything behind. Hope is devastated. Faith was her best friend. They shared everything. Hope knew her sister was gay years before anyone else. 

I thought this story was going to be about finding the lost sister, but is so much more than that. Faith's sudden disappearance is just the catalyst for all that happens after. Maybe losing Faith was just what was needed for Hope, her family, and their community. 

Just a quick rundown of things happening is this book: Hope is introduced to rock music and finds her voice. Hope's other sister Charity becomes more stringent in her religious/conservative beliefs causing a bigger rift between the sisters. Danny, identical twin and amazing guitar player, is kicked out of his brother's band and his house when he comes out. Hope who has been crushing on Danny for a long time befriends him and gives him shelter. Angus and Astrid become close friends with Danny and Hope to form a band (Oops, I may be giving too much away). Anyway, lots of heartache and soul searching for so many characters. 

And as a bonus, there is a sci-fi story thrown in throughout the book. It's good, too. 

This is the third book in a row I have read that has dealt with major social issues brought to the forefront in the last few years. I am glad authors are tackling these issues and presenting them for young people. Today, we are seeing in plan view a large number of people that are selfish, cruel, racist, homophobic, and misogynistic.  We need books like this, and we need to make sure they are available to teens. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog. 

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

If you attend Claflin Academy and want to apply for an Ivy League school - think again. Unless you are one of the Ivies. The group of ambitious young women (now seniors) have done whatever is necessary to hobble the competition. That's probably too polite - they sabotaged their classmates so they be in charge of groups and have the highest test scores. The Ivies did anything to make sure they had their choice of schools. 

Within the group, each girl has to choose a school. The Ivey Leagues would never choose more than two or three people from each school, so no two Ivies can apply for the same one. Harvard belonged to Avery. She's a legacy coming from a wealthy family. No way her mom will settle for Avery going to any where other than Harvard. 

Olivia wants to go to Harvard, but she accepts Penn because that's the the rules of being an Ivy. She's never been completely sure why she was accepted into the group. She is on scholarship, so she doesn't have money and luxuries like the others. Despite her insecurities, she has always been grateful to have been included. 

Just a few issues: Olivia applies for Harvard anyway (unbeknownst to anyone), and one of the Ivies is murdered. I may be telling you too much already. Suffice it to say that Olivia is desperate to find who killed her roommate. Knowing how ruthless Avery and the other Ivies can be, no one can be trusted. 

It may be difficult to have much sympathy for Olivia knowing her part in hurting others, but above all else you want to know who the killer is (like we do). Aside from the police, she is the person doing the most to find out. Suspenseful and intriguing. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Six teens locked in one room for one hour. One of them must die or everyone will be killed. Is it real? Do they really have to choose one of them so the others may live? How will these three girls and three boys ever get out of this nightmare? 

So who are they...

Amber (our narrator) wants to compose movie soundtracks. She is desperate to find a way into USC's music program. Since she started high school, Amber has been trying to be herself without being known as the sister of the girl who killed herself.

Robbie is a popular athlete. He dreams of going to Georgia Tech to play baseball just like his brothers. Robbie's father has never given him the attention and respect he gave his other successful ball playing sons. Robbie wants to make it on his own to prove his worth. 

Diego is smart. He invented a color changing sponge that has sold well enough to make him a millionaire. To do that, his dad left the company he started with Amber's father causing Amber's family to suffer financially. 

Sasha is the top of the popularity pyramid at school. She wants to go to Harvard, so she involves herself in every activity and is usually in charge of them. Sasha is ambitious and ruthless, but her friends are loyal even when they are on the receiving end of her wrath. 

Priya was Amber's best friend. She was perfectly happy when it was just the two of them, but she encouraged Amber to approach Sasha about writing music for the school play. To do so, they must become a part of the popular crowd - a decision Priya would regret. 

Scott is the outlier. He is only driven to smoke weed and cruise through school. He's not a stoner oblivious to what is going on around him. Still, the others wonder why he was invited to this 'party.' 

The story is played in two ways: the time in the locked room and flashbacks leading up to it. Each add to the intensity as truths are revealed. In the room, tempers flare causing violence. So many questions to be answered: Who invited them? Who would want one of them dead? Is the bomb real? (ya, I hadn't mentioned that part yet or the syringe). If you are looking for a book full of suspense, give this one a read. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site. 

 

Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou

I have felt for a long time that you can only push people so far. That eventually, bullied people will only take so much before they push back. Usually, I am referring to an oppressed group but certainly individuals can react in the same way. And so we have Stevie's life...

Going into her freshman year, things are good for Stevie. She and her best friend (forever) Lottie are unsure about entering high school but they have always done everything together. Yes, they are different: Lottie loves losing herself in a book while Stevie loves 80s and 90s movies (she regularly posts videos to her YouTube channel about them). Still, Stevie has spent so much time in Lottie's home that she feels like she has a second set of parents.

But things change. Lottie and Stevie start hanging out with the popular crowd and Lottie seems to be spending more time with them than Stevie. Add Stevie's mom dating some new guy and Lottie's parents going through epic changes (no spoilers here) and Stevie feels the very foundation of her life shift.

When her friendship with Lottie fractures and the horrific bullying starts, Stevie finds Dee. Dee is confident in ways Stevie could never be. Dee is also relentless in pointing out BS in the school. She pushes Stevie to bring justice to the victims by getting revenge on the perpetrators, the ones who think they are above it all. At first, the revenge is sweet, almost harmless pranks. When do the pranks get out of control? When do they cross a line into harassment?  When do the bullied become the bullies?

Stevie's story is painful and dark. She feels like her life is out of control. Whether it is a bad as she thinks, it doesn't matter because that's the way it feels to her. In the story, revenge is satisfying for a while. It is good to see the nasty people get taken down, but ultimately it is a tragic story. I like the unorthodox direction of the story, and I hope you do, too.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Rated by Melissa Grey

Everyone is rated. It's how you know your place in society. Do good and your rating goes up; do bad, it goes down. Ratings determine where you can shop and live and what hospital you can use. Ratings are everything.

So it is quite a shock to everyone when "THE RATINGS ARE NOT REAL" is spray painted across the front doors of Maplethorpe Academy (founded by the man who also created the ratings) on the first day of school. Most right it off as a one time act of vandalism by a disgruntled student. For six students it becomes a puzzle after they each receive a cryptic message that seems related to the graffiti.

Circumstances cause them to pair up (even though none of them really know each other). Chase (star baseball pitcher on the verge of losing his scholarship due to a low rating) and Bex (driven, ambitious student with one of the highest ratings in the school). Tamsin (would be witch and tarot card reader and all around rebel who is near an expulsion level rating) and Hana (hopeful future ice skating star who is starving herself to be better). Javi (outgoing nationally known video champion who is trying to provide for his younger siblings) and Noah (old school photographer who keeps to himself).

I expected this to be more dystopian in nature. Even though the ratings drive the narrative, it is really a study about each of the six students. They are presented in a way that avoids stereotypes, and that made for a much more interesting read.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Vivian is tired of the guys (particularly athletes) being treated like gods in her school. They get away with everything including verbally and physically assaulting girls. Back her day, Vivian's mom was a Riot Grrrl (although now, her life is just going to work and -gasp!- dating a republican.) Going through her mom's box of old stuff, Vivian finds the inspiration she needs to take on the system.

Not that Vivian isn't hesitant about spreading her newly created Moxie Girl zine around school. She knows the risk. Girls are often subjected to greater scrutiny than the guys. She keeps the zine anonymous partly out of fear, but also because the Riot Grrrls had no true leader making the movement more organic.

When the zine is out, everyone is talking about it. Lucy, a new girl, who Vivian has seen be treated badly by the guys is excited about it. Claudia, Vivian's best friend...not so much. Maybe they should wait out their time until the graduate. Being an outsider, Lucy knows all schools aren't like this.

Vivian also has her eye on a new guy in school. Will he understand what she's trying to accomplish? As Vivian learns, starting a revolution is not easy. Maybe this book will inspire young women to fight a system that treats them as less than equal.

For more info check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Easy Prey by Catherine Lo

Three students are brought together to do a school project for their most despised class. Each has a history with the other.

Jenna ran with the popular crowd until nude photos of her were sent sent out to the whole school last year. People tell her to get passed it, but they have never been through it so what do they know.

Matthew (aka Mouse) is a computer guy hoping to get into MIT. His grades do not mean anything to his dad who wishes Mouse were a star athlete like his cousin Troy (who was also Jenna's boyfriend until she accused him of posting the photos). Mouse was Jenna's best friend; now his father wants him to stay way from the girl that tried to ruin Troy's life.

Drew is a jock and a player (as in girls). He is Troy's best friend, and flirts with Jenna even though he knows he cannot date his best friend's ex (not that Jenna would date Drew).

So their little group finds themselves in the principal's office facing serious allegations of leaking nude photos of a teacher. The three of them are the only ones who had access to the photos, so one of them must be guilty but is not saying anything. How did they get access to the photos? That's half the story and is a frustrating exercise in asking (sometimes out loud) what the characters are thinking.

It is an story that is timely and suspenseful which makes for an interesting story but a sad commentary on what teens face in real life.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and author's site.

Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter

Welcome to the goth version of It's a Wonderful Life. You know that movie where the guy gets to see what the world would be like if he had never been born. OK, this is not really like that, but there is a bit of fantasy involved for a teen girl who gets so see what the world is like if goth were popular and she was the queen of the school. That girl would be Jade.

Jade has shut herself off from everything. Dressed in black on the outside and filled with darkness on the inside. She has friends, but she never gets too close (she might even be pushing them away). She can never open herself up to anyone - the fatal car crash that took her mother is proof of that.

Jade is one of the goth kids that are bullied by the popular kids (including Jade's former best friend, Mercedes). Jade is not one to be pushed around, so she strikes back at others when necessary. This does not make her a favorite with teachers.

Mercedes is popular and has tormented Jade and her friends for years. So when she and Mercedes essentially trade places in their alternate world, they both get to see what the other is going through. If they each learn a lesson, will they go back to their old lives? Come to think of it, maybe this is more like the Prince and the Pauper or Freaky Friday. Either way, it is fun look at two girls who need an otherworldly intervention to make things better for everyone.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton

Cliff's older brother, Shane, is dead. Shane is the only thing Cliff care's about. He doesn't care about school or his stupid classmates. His dad is abusive, and his mom is his dad's enabler. Basically, Cliff's life sucks.

Sometimes when nothing feels right, Cliff goes to the Monolith, a tall abandoned never finished seven story office building in his small town. He and his brother used to go there, and hang out on a top floor balcony.  But now, Cliff goes by himself.

Cliff is a big, physically big. So big that his nickname is Neanderthal. He is called a lot of things by classmates who think they are so clever. He is not afraid to throw punches if necessary. He does just that against Aaron Zimmerman the popular quarterback. Cliff hates Aaron.

So imagine Cliff's astonishment (and skepticism) when Aaron tells him (after waking from a coma - NOT caused by Cliff)  that he saw God. Not only that, God gave Aaron a list and wants Cliff to help him make their high school a better place. It's a nice goal, but why would Cliff want to help Aaron do anything?

Maybe Cliff and Aaron can change their small part of the world. Maybe Cliff can discover more about his brother. And maybe not everyone at school hates Cliff like he thinks they do.

Interesting characters and an intriguing plot make this a worthwhile read.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Dear Rachel Maddow by Adrienne Kisner

Brynne idolizes political commentator, Rachel Maddow. So when she is forced to write to a famous person for an assignment, she chooses Rachel. The thing is Brynne keeps e-mailing Rachel with all the details of her life.

So what is going in Brynne's life? First off, her parents are horrible (particularly her stepdad). Not just typical 'my parents suck' horrible. They really treat Brynne terribly. Second, her brother, the only person who she could depend on, died. Third, her grades plummeted after his death and she ends up in the remedial (and literal basement) classes. Which also means she got kicked off the newspaper staff. Oh, and her girlfriend broke up with her.

As her junior year continues, Brynne becomes annoyed with Adam who believes only honor students should represent the school on student council (no surprise, he is an honor student). Adam is also not above using questionable tactics to win. Brynne does not want to involve herself, but cannot stand the thought of Adam winning knowing he does not care about the other students (like herself and her fellow basement dwellers).

Brynne tells us her story through the e-mails to Rachel. She is young woman full of angst and self doubt. We hope she finds her way in spite of her own misgivings about her worth and abilities. It's a serious story with humor thrown in. I hope Rachel Maddow enjoyed it as much as I did.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Protected by Claire Zorn

Hannah's sister, Katie, died in an accident, and Hannah was there. Almost a year later, her family is still suffering. Her father was injured in the accident and will never be physically the same again. Her mother has checked out of life spending hours laying in bed and hardly eating. With the pending trial of her father (did he cause the accident?), her parents relationship becomes more tense.

Katie was beautiful and confident. She was stylish and hung without whoever she wanted to. Hannah is quiet and likes to read. When Hannah started getting bullied at school, Katie told Hannah to stick up for herself. Hannah just wanted Katie to defend her.

At the beginning of freshman year, Hannah's best friend, Charlotte, was accepted by the popular girls. Hannah tried to be accepted but instead became their target. After awhile, Hannah and Charlotte were no longer friends.

So even though the bullying stopped after Katie died, Hannah is still very much alone. When a transfer student starts paying attention to Hannah, she is skeptical about what he really wants.

Hannah's story is heartbreaking, but hopeful. Even though she will never get her sister back, she might be able to find her own path and have a life of her own.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Still Life with Tornado by A.S. King

Once again, A.S. King gives us a realistic story with twist of fantasy thrown in. Or does it even happen? Maybe it doesn't even matter because it works.

Sarah likes art, but one day she just can't do it anymore. She can't draw the pear her teacher tells the class to draw. She can't draw her own hands for another assignment. She can no longer do any of her art projects. Sarah also decides she can't go to school anymore, so she stops going. Her parents (who have always supported her artistic talent) are not happy, but no matter what they do Sarah will not go.

What does Sarah do instead? She wanders around the city, follows a homeless artist and eventually runs into a younger version of herself. And then an older version of herself. The younger Sarah wants to talk about the family trip to Mexico and Sarah's brother who went away. But current Sarah doesn't want to talk about her brother and how he never calls. At home, it's like her brother doesn't exist.

Older Sarah tries to reassure current Sarah, but it's not the past or future that is the problem. Sarah doesn't want to deal with all the stuff in her life happening now. Over the course of this unconventional story, we learn the truth about her missing brother, her angry father and the reason she walked out of school.

The story is off beat enough that I had second thoughts for the first few chapters. It is odd even for A.S. King (whose books I generally love). But I am glad I continued because it is a remarkable story.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

The Boomerang Effect by Gordon Jack

Someone dressed in the school viking mascot costume is creating havoc - spray painting an unflattering message on the principal's parking space, vandalizing the homecoming floats. Principal Stone knows it must be Lawrence Barry. Lawrence is always pulling some prank and has no respect for authority. It is only the intervention of the school guidance counselor that keeps Lawrence from being shipped off to Quiet Haven alternative school like his friend Alex after they disrupted the diversity assembly.

To stay in school, Lawrence must join the Buddy Club and mentor Spencer Knudson, a freshman student from Norway. Spencer dresses like an adult in freshly pressed clothes. He carries a violin case and is constantly reading text books. Spencer is going to need a lot of help if he is going to survive high school. At least that's what Lawrence thinks.

But Lawrence is the last person who should be giving advice even though he thinks he knows what is best for others. If he had listened to Spencer (you know, taken advice instead of giving it), everyone would not believe he is the vandalizing viking.

Still, Lawrence is trying. He is giving up smoking pot (which loses him his old partying friends). He attempts to help his friend ask his dream girl to the homecoming dance. He tries to advise the plain girl who sits in the back of the classroom to reveal more of herself like she does when she is participating in live action role play. Lawrence is also trying to catch the real vandal (he knows it has to be that crazy goth girl Zoe who seems to be stalking him).

Even though you may find yourself scratching your head at Lawrence's plans and begging him not to go through with them, it is a fun journey.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick

Claire enters 8th grade not having much fun. Ryder, the kid who's been tormenting her since 6th grade, is in all of her classes. The mean girls seem even worse this year. Dance has always been an escape for her, but now her friends have been moved up to a higher group leaving her with the kids.

Worst of all, Claire's dad has a stroke. One minute they are talking in the kitchen; the next he is slumping to the floor mumbling nonsense. Her world is turned upside down. She needs her funny dad who writes books for teens. He cannot speak, can barely walk and struggles to get food to his mouth. The annual Dad's Dance performance was one thing Claire always looked forward to. Now, she will not be able to dance with her father on stage like the other girls.

Claire's mom is always super positive (which is sometimes annoying in a crisis). Her older brother is practically perfect. Her father's prolonged illness tests them all.

We follow Claire through her whole 8th grade year. Her friendships are tested along with her patience and self-esteem. Middle school is tough enough without having an almost non-functioning parent. Once again, Jordan Sonnenblick has given his readers wonderful characters to cheer on.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Don't Get Caught by Kurt Dinan

Max is tired of being 'Just Max.' So when he receives a mysterious invitation  from the Chaos Club to meet at the water tower, he goes. For decades, the Chaos Club has pulled pranks around the school. Could this be an invitation to join the secret society?

Max soon realizes he is not the only one to get the invitation. The group includes a dumb jock, a tough girl, a slacker/troublemaker,  and the girl Max has a crush on. They make it to the top of the water tower as instructed only to realize they have been set up (and the whole thing is recorded and uploaded to the internet).

Tired of being pushed around, the group decides to pull their own epic pranks and take down the Chaos Club at the same time (and if they can make a certain coach look bad, too, all the better). Each group member will pull a prank to see who can do the best one.

How do you pull of pranks without involving innocent people? It's a question Max asks himself as the 'war' escalates. He wants to be somebody, but is it worth getting expelled?

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

I have started a few books assuming the gender of a character only to find out in a few pages that I was wrong causing me to rethink how I picture them. With this book, that's part of the point. Riley is gender fluid. Some days, Riley feels like a girl and other days Riley feels like a boy.

Starting a new school, Riley wants to go unnoticed. One problem is that Riley sometimes wants to dress like a girl and sometimes like a boy. Riley would never be able to do that - at school or home. So Riley dresses neutral, fighting anxious feelings and possible panic attacks.

Only Riley's therapist knows about being gender fluid. Riley's parents don't even know. It would be a particular sticky issue for Riley's conservative congressman father who is running for reelection. As election day gets closer, it is increasingly difficult for Riley to find a way to get out of attending campaign events - they only bring on the worst panic attacks.

Riley's attempt to be invisible at school does not last long either. Riley does meet a cool guy named Solo on the first day. But is he interested in Riley as a guy friend or a girlfriend? Riley is also taken with Bec, a girl who may or may not be flirting with Riley. But the new potential friendships are overshadowed by the taunts of star football player, Jim Vickers, and his snotty girlfriend. Everything Riley feared is happening again.

Following the therapist's advice, Riley starts an anonymous blog about being gender fluid that quickly finds a following. It is the blog that drives Riley and the story forward.

Many things in life are not as straight forward as people would like them to be including gender. This story reminds us that people need to be accepted for who they are and given the chance to find out who that is. Riley is a character you will not easily forget.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Character, Driven by David Lubar

Cliff's life changes when he sees Jillian for the first time. Yes, she is that beautiful. She is new to school, and everyone notices her when she walks into class. Cliff knows he does not have chance with her but that doesn't keep his mind from thinking up things to say to her.

Cliff is telling us the story of his senior year. Jillian is only one part of it. His dad lost his job and is pathological about saving money. Cliff works two jobs to contribute to the money his mom brings home from working at a bakery. Cliff's dad is constantly harping about what Cliff cannot do because it is a waste of money (like go to a concert of one of  his favorite bands). His dad also tells Cliff he is wasting his time with art. Cliff is not sure what he wants to do with his life, but he would like art to be an option.

Cliff has two best friends, Butch and Robert. Butch has changed her name many times since he's known her. She is "a little twisted, but in a good way" (her skull collection is a good example). Robert moved from Jamaica. Both are very smart and 'fight' with each other constantly.

Then there's Jimby whose mother drank a lot while she was pregnant. As described by Cliff, it messed up Jimby's brain a bit, but he would take a beating for Jimby. Cliff tries to help Jimby whenever he can.

Cliff knows he is writing us a story and makes occasional references to remind us. In reality of course, it is David Lubar who has (once again) given the reader a story filled with humor and poignancy. There are some basic truths to be found alongside the funny musings of Cliff.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Some Boys by Patty Blount

Grace was raped by Zac, the school's most popular athlete. No one believes her. To everyone, she is trying to ruin Zac's life. Her own friends turn against her. To everyone, she is a slut.

Grace could run (her mother wants her to study in Europe), but she will not let her life be dictated by others. She is going to dress in her dark clothes no matter how much attention she gets (against the wishes of her dad and stepmother). Grace knows the truth and even though the police will not do anything she will not let Zac and his followers win.

Ian, Zac's best friend, liked Grace. In the world of unspoken guy rules: since Zac had Grace, she is off limits to Ian. Besides, she is accusing his best friend of rape. Grace must have wanted it - the way she was dressed at the party, the way she was drinking and dancing. She didn't fight off Zac when they were off together in the dark. She let him take off her clothes.

Over spring break, Grace and Ian find themselves together all alone in the school cleaning lockers. Ian is there after suffering a concussion that may end his athletic career and scholarship hopes. Grace is being punished - more fallout from the rape. After all, it's always her fault.

Grace and Ian's story is a powerful one. He is torn between his growing faith in Grace and loyalty to his friend. She is forever facing the verbal assault of others while trying to out Zac for who he really is. Ian is confused and reasonable. Grace is strong and vulnerable. Lots of questions with no easy answers, but a story worth reading.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards

How did a popular girl like Stella end up getting killed by a train? Piper has good idea how. She has seen the video that was posted on a school website. She was there in the hallway when Stella was being ridiculed by the same jocks who made the video and posted it. Piper just stood there and did nothing to stop it. Even if Stella was alone at the railroad crossing, others had a hand in her death.

Piper avoids the jocks and cheerleaders. She is not a part of the popular crowd (like Stella was), so she did not know Stella well. Still, Piper should have said something that day in the hallway. Someone needs to do something to stop the bullies and jerks who practically run the school and get away with everything. Maybe its not too late to do something.

An anonymous text offers Piper the chance to do just that. She just has to give the texter a name and he/she will do the rest. Piper will be told when it is going to happen so she can capture it all with her camera. For her first target she chooses the person most responsible for Stella's humiliation.

Revenge sounds like a good idea, but it can get out of hand. And does it really make you any better than your targets? Piper is drawn further into the scheme by this mysterious texter. How can she find out who it is without her secrets being exposed, too.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.