School Library Journal Review
Gr 9-11-Katie and Violet have been inseparable since seventh grade. The competition among the juniors at their all-girls private school is fierce, even between these friends. Violet doesn't understand Katie's recent decisions to keep her PSAT scores a secret, quit crew, get intoxicated, and date a guy who appears to be a loser. Violet is jealous that Katie can effortlessly do everything, making her question why she is seemingly throwing it all away. In an effort to rekindle their strained friendship, the girls publish an unauthorized parody of their school in the literary magazine that Violet edits. She takes the punishment that is doled out, but Katie does not comply with what is asked of her. With this turn of events, Violet finally learns what has been motivating Katie. Witty and unpretentious, Violet is a likable narrator. Some of her funniest reactions are in response to the dating advice Katie shares from a magazine she's read. Each of the classmates has a discernible personality. The girls discuss crushes, fashion, and gossip, but Sales delves into more serious issues like the pressure to be perfect and how it can manifest itself. Suggest this one to readers who enjoy the writing style of Ally Carter. A strong debut that is not be missed.-Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Violet's best friend Katie, a model student, is tired of being perfect. Certain that there is more to life than money and grades, Katie begins to distance herself from the girls' elite prep school world--and from Violet. Readers will sympathize with both Violet's desire to keep life the same and Katie's need to change and grow. Violet's wry narration enlivens the plot. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Violet Tunis has always felt like second best, especially when she's around her particularly smart, wealthy and beautiful best friend, Katie, who seems to effortlessly be the best at everything. Having been friends from the seventh grade (after a brief three-day period when they were "sworn enemies"), by their junior year at their tony Boston private school, Westfield, Violet has come to accept and admire Katie's success.However, when Katie starts acting in a self-destructive manner by quitting crew, breaking Westfield's rules and engaging in risky behavior with drugs and alcohol, Violet is torn between her loyalty to Katie and her own internal barometer of right and wrong. Written as a series of notably short chapters, the names of which provide a fair amount of punch on their own ("Sophistry in Spanish class"), some sections feel abruptly staccato and underdeveloped. Although overall an enjoyable, light read, there are few surprises, and the pat ending leaves this text feeling flat. (Fiction. 14 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Violet Tunis is starting her junior year at Boston's prestigious Westfield School with an impressive to-do list, and she has set a difficult agenda for herself, from acing her exams to reeling in her crush, and maybe even becoming famous. What she has not anticipated is the subtle shift in her relationship with her best friend, Katie, a girl for whom success is effortless. Private-school culture functions only as a backdrop here; Sales focuses her debut on the dynamics between Violet and Katie, and the friendship story is refreshingly free of confrontational cliques and catty female stereotypes, while short, snappy chapters keep the story moving. At times whiny and clueless, Violet may strike some as an unlikable narrator, but she tells her story with honesty, and the reassessment of her goals at the end of the book rings true. Recommend this to fans of Meg Cabot's novels and academy-based stories.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2010 Booklist
