Author: Elizabeth Woods
Publication: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing (January 4, 2011)
Description: What if the only friend you could trust turned out to be dangerous? A new thriller from debut author Elizabeth Woods!
My Thoughts: I didn't know what to expect when I received this book for review. You will have to admit that the description isn't overly informative. I was pleased to meet Cara. She is a quiet and shy outsider. Her parents are both lawyers working 70 hour weeks and neglecting her. She doesn't have any close friends. Her one close friend Zoe moved away seven years ago. Zoe was from a troubled home and Cara's parents didn't like her. She was upset when they moved and her parents sent her to a psychiatrist.
Now in high school, Cara is on the fringes of the track team and has a major stammering crush on track star Ethan. When she chokes on a carrot at lunch one day, he performs the Heimlich on her and she gets the nickname Choker. She also draws the further attentions of Ethan's girlfriend Alexis who is the school's golden girl and also a closet bully who picks on and humiliates Cara constantly. Alexis and her friends have made a target of Cara for years.
But now Zoe is back. She has run away from home and is hiding out in Cara's bedroom. Zoe always gave Cara more confidence but disturbing memories of their past are causing Cara some concerns. And, when the girls who were meanest to Cara start dying, Cara is even more disturbed.
This a taut, psychological thriller. I thought it was excellent at building tension. I wasn't at all ready for the ending. I recommend this book to kids who love thrillers. I look forward to more books from this debut author.
Favorite Quote:
Cara fixed her eyes straight ahead and concentrated on maintaining her neutral look. Nonchalance was exhausting.
Interesting. It's nice to hear more about this book and get a better sense of what it is about.
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