Sadly, this book takes on an increased relevance in view of the current college admissions scandals involving parents attempting to buy their child's entrance into universities. The novel centers around four long-time family friends with children being tested for a public school for very gifted students. Two of the girls, both named Emma and in the same grade at an exclusive private school, become increasingly competitive. They ridicule classmates whom they feel are not worthy of the designation "gifted," becoming scornful of those who don't fit their criteria. There is an irony here when one of them doesn't pass the first test for inclusion. Their elitism challenges children from less affluent areas and children of color. There are few likable characters in this disturbing novel where the parents' expectations and deceptions conclude in disturbing results and damaged relationships. The values of compassion and integrity are never raised in these households where success is based simply on being the best academically. I'm appalled at fictional and real-life parents who want their children to be accepted into schools that simply are not the right placement.

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