This was a very enjoyable quick read. The author gives incredible insight into 5 young adults lives and innermost thoughts as they enter into Noble Nigh School. Their teacher has given all of the students in ninth grade the task of journaling at least one page a day for the entire school year. You are to write your feelings or innermost thoughts. The journals will never be read and will be locked in a cabinet. The assignment initially terrifies the students, but they eventually warm up to the concept and quickly pour their feelings and secrets into their journals. How are we reading these journals? One of the students has broken into the cabinet and has published the journals, in order to show everyone the truth about the Phoenix 5. Not everyone is who they appear to be, everyone puts on some sort of front or show, everybody has secrets, including these 3 girls and 2 boys.
The Phoenix 5 is the most notable of the freshman each year at Noble High School. These students have been selected and voted by their classmates as having something special. Meet Sheridan, she is a prima donna drama queen. She lives for the theater and enjoys a very rich imagination. She has been the lead character in all of the plays. She has a best friend Aubrie, they are sole mates. Aubrie is always the understudy to Sheridan's lead, that is until Aubrie meets Octavia at summer camp. Sheridan's family is very wealthy, her father owns the local BMW dealership and Sheridan does not lack material things.
Next meet Jasper, he has had a hard life. His parents are sitting on death row, for helping stop a bully. He has been emancipated and cares for himself. He lives in the back room of a local pet shop, he pays the rent by feeding the animals at night. He is a loner with no friends. He catches the eye of Aubrie and they become close. He has his own secrets, not to be disclosed. Then there is Vanessa. She is a straight A student and very academically oriented. She has a troubled home life and views this assignment as non-productive, that is to say, she puts other school work before her journal. Her parents constantly fight, her brother is constantly in trouble or losing a job and the only peace is at a local restaurant. Beni's is a place that the family goes to celebrate, good grades, new jobs etc. - no fighting is ever allowed at Beni's.
Our next two characters are Lilly and Duffy, they are neighbors. Lilly has had a crush on Duffy for a while and convinces her parents to allow her to attend public school so that she may see more of him. Duffy and his buddies play basketball all of the time. He lives for basketball and dreams of making the varsity team. Lilly and her best friend Blake have been homeschooled forever and try to fit into life at Noble. Blake, who is naturally very attractive, immediately catches Vanessa's eye. Only Lilly knows that he is gay and the relationship and her friendship with Vanessa is doomed for failure.
Where these relationships will end up and the choices that these students make are very believable and entertaining. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. It is a very quick read and enjoyable. The ending leaves one wanting more. Which is why I will be reading "License to Spill" very soon.
Link
Author: Lisi Harrison
Dealing with teen peer pressure - wanting to fit in.
Teen Journaling
Teen Help line
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