The Payback Girls

Gr 9 Up–Meghan is doing her best to fit in at a new school after a traumatic and disastrous junior year at her old school. This is easier said than done; she’s attending a wealthy private school as both a scholarship student and one of the few Black students in the school. She thinks that dating star athlete Nate Walker will make things easier, but it only makes her a target of the wealthy, white “in” crowd. Then it comes out that Nate is dating two other girls as well. Not long after, Nate turns up unconscious and each of the girls are suspects. Meghan wishes she could rule herself out, but she doesn’t have a clear memory of the last time she saw Nate. The girls end up having to work together to clear their names and figure out who took out their shared boyfriend. This novel has a compelling plot and cast of central characters, but unfortunately suffers from clunky transitions, hastily integrated plot points (some of which go nowhere), and undeveloped supporting (and somewhat interchangeable) characters who float in and out of loosely sketched scenes. Strong points of this debut thriller include integrating the subjects of racism, colorism, and classism in a way that adds extra tension and depth to the story. A queer romance that blossoms between two characters adds a fun spin on a typical narrative.