Patty K. (twinmom7) reviewed on + 105 more book reviews
Grade 5-8-Popular Krista reigns over the cafeteria as the top DYWYWM ("Don't-You-Wish-You-Were-Me") girl and Lauren, her former best friend, sits with fellow reject, Tara. When new girl Celeste Van Werner comes on the scene, everything changes. Her confidence is unmatched even by Krista, and when she claims Lauren as her friend, the shy, tentative girl is ecstatic. The two of them work together (actually Lauren does all the work) and get elected as class co-treasurers. It takes Lauren a while to realize that Celeste is using her for a bigger goal-to take over Krista's position, which Lauren unwittingly helps her accomplish. Told in second person, this novel highlights the darker side of cliques, peer pressure and acceptance, and friendship. However, it is not entirely convincing that Lauren's lack of self-confidence would explain her blindness to Celeste's evil side. Any reader will know long before Lauren that Celeste is up to no good, causing the revelation at the end-that Celeste has stolen the class money and successfully blamed Lauren for the crime-to fall flat. The theme of friendship is fully explored, among others, but when Lauren disregards the faithful Tara simply because Celeste is one of the "chosen," she comes across as a less than worthy heroine.
