Saturday, May 16, 2015

Unfriended by Rachel Vail - ESSENTIAL


Vail, Rachel Unfriended, 282 pgs. Penguin Imprints (Viking) 2014. $16.99. Language: PG; (5 swears 0 Fs); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.  

When 8th grader Truly is invited to sit at the popular table at lunch, she abandons her best friend Hazel for a chance at social success.  But Hazel doesn’t understand, and stays mad.  Also, Natasha, the inviter, was Truly’s best friend in 5th grade, but can she be trusted? Maybe Natasha has an ulterior motive. Things get complicated when someone hacks Truly's email, and Natasha gets kicked out of the group.  

The story is related through many different perspectives, Truly, Hazel, Natasha and the members of the popular group each tell their side of the story.  It works well as the reader knows more about what is going on than any of the characters do.  A heart wrenching story of middle school drama, the problem with social media, and friendships gone awry, Vail gives us another great read.  The message is perfect for this age group, a necessary read.  

MS - ESSENTIAL - Lisa Librarian

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