Fragile Like Us

Gr 9 Up—Caddy and Rosie are BFFs, even though they go to different high schools. Caddy is the dull good girl who gets excellent grades at her private school; Rosie is the sarcastic, funny one, more at ease in social situations. Enter newcomer Suzanne, the troubled one with a family history of abuse, whose friendship with Rosie makes Caddy jealous at first. The dynamics of the friendship trio gradually shift, however, as Caddy and Suze grow closer. Suze adds excitement to Caddy's life, luring her into late-night meanderings around town and even on an overnight trip, leaving Caddy's family clueless and worried sick. Suze's bad influence eventually leads to an accident that almost ends not only a friendship but also a life. The story is told through Caddy's eyes, and while Rosie and Suze are distinct individuals, it is Caddy's view of them that predominates. Rosie is less angst-filled than the other two and slowly becomes peripheral to the action. The book is character-driven, with a rather thin plot involving Caddy following Suze in search of a "significant life event" in a downward spiral of increasingly dangerous activities, including alcohol and pot use. The ending, if not entirely predictable, is also not unexpected, and even a near tragedy doesn't quite enlighten Caddy about her own enabling behavior. Nonetheless, this is a strong first effort from a novelist who writes with a clear understanding of teen girls and the vagaries of their friendships.