Description

---

Kirsten's parents are barely speaking to each other, and her best friend has fallen under the spell of the school's queen bee, Brianna. It seems like only Kirsten's younger science-geek sister is on her side. Walker's goal is to survive at the new white private school his mom has sent him to because she thinks he's going to screw up like his cousin. But he's a good kid. So is his friend Matteo, though no one knows why he’ll do absolutely anything that hot blond Brianna asks of him. But all of this feels almost trivial when Kirsten and Walker discover a secret that shakes them both to the core.

About the Author

---

GENNIFER CHOLDENKO is the author of Newbery Honor book Al Capone Does My Shirts, which was on the New York Times Bestseller list for six months, an ALA BBYA, an ALA Notable book, and received the Sid Fleischman Humor, in addition to other kudos. She graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. She previously worked at an advertising agency, and has written picture books as well. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and two children. www.choldenko.com

Praise For…

---

"The issues raised are spot-on for this age group. . . . (an) under-the-microscope examination of the often cruel, always dramatic dynamics of junior high."--Publishers Weekly "Choldenko . . . has a spiky wit, an empathetic eye for kids’ foibles and fears, an ear for their distinctive voices and an impressive range . . . While [this book] treats issues of race, class and marital discord fearlessly, it's also one of the funniest they'll read this year."--The Washington Post Book World      —