Secrets

Gr 9 Up—After Thanksgiving break, Callie returns to Harvard to face her problems. She not only hooked up with her ex-best friend's crush, but she also cheated on her perfect boyfriend, Clint. To make matters worse, her nemesis, Alexis, somehow got her hands on a copy of the sex tape Callie's loser high school boyfriend made unbeknownst to her. Now Alexis is making Callie's life a living hell, threatening to publish it if Callie doesn't stay away from Clint and complete a never-ending list of errands. As the teen tries to sort out her personal life, she works to make sure her darkest secret isn't revealed, all while managing to study and pass finals. Witty, realistic dialogue and characters who are quirky yet completely believable make for an enjoyable read. The best part is that Callie, who dislikes herself for cheating and realizes that she is not always likable, is intelligent and aware, and the roadblocks to her finding happiness and love are logical. Secrets is guaranteed to make readers want to get their hands on The Ivy (Greenwillow, 2010 )—Jessie Spalding, Tempe Public Library, AZ