Trying desperately to escape the label of "the girl who'd run and tell Mommy what she knew about anyone," Aggie Winchester, daughter of St. Davis High's principal, has gone goth to match her best friend, Sylvia, and protect herself from getting hurt again. In her sophomore novel, Lara Zielin (Donut Days) creates a stunningly realistic look at a high schooler's journey of self-discovery.
By the end of the first chapter, Aggie gets the shocking news of her mother's cancer and her best friend's pregnancy. Her mother refuses to leave her post as principal, and Sylvia is convinced the father of her child will support her, even when Aggie tells her he's a jerk. With the arrival of new girl Beth (also goth), Sylvia ditches Aggie, and the upcoming prom has everyone except Aggie excited. The prom queen nominations are announced, and Aggie is surprised to find Sylvia on the list. Sure that the father of her child will care about her again if she is the queen to his king, Sylvia gets desperate and (with the help of Beth) rigs the election by stuffing the ballot box.
The prom queen is announced, and the school is in an uproar. She's not who they voted for, and they know it. Aggie knows more than anyone, and finds herself in the middle of it all with Sylvia and her mom both directly involved.
Zielin captures the attitude of Aggie perfectly as she fights for what's right and learns about herself. --Shanyn Day, blogger at Chick Loves Lit