This book had a good premise, but I didn't care for the language, the drinking and the constant sex behind the scenes. I thought some of the characters were TOO shallow with no redeeming qualities. Not recommended. ( )

Wow! This book was surprisingly good.

I think I bought this book when I was in middle school and it has been sitting on my shelf untouched since. Now I finally got around to reading it and it was amazing. From the plot summary, it sounds like just another teenage reform story, but it is so much more.

It's a quick read but definitely worth it. Castellucci delves into the lives of teenagers and touches on issues that aren't expressed as often in books for teens, like feeling depressed or trying to figure out how other people see the world.

The main character is flat-out a complete jerk, but by having such an unlikable character Castellucci is able to form a caricature of the teenage mind: selfish, rebellious, fearful of not fitting in, just figuring out the world. This was such an amazing book. And while the ending is a little too happily-ever-after for my taste, the message was definitely powerful. ( )

Probably not fair of me to write a review as in my eyes Castellucci can do no wrong. Again the writing isn't anything stupendous but man does she get it. There's a lot of great characterization packed into a small book and it becomes really powerful. Good stuff. ( )

Reviewed by Dena Landon for TeensReadToo.com

Libby Brin is the popular girl. She has the right friends, the right clothes, and goes to all the right parties. Where she leads, the school follows, from "pencil day" to "funny walk day." But she's hiding a deep, dark secret. She's bored. No matter what she does, she doesn't feel alive. Which might explain the temporary insanity that causes her to sign up for an internship...at the zoo. When she's assigned to a team with two of the biggest losers in school she worries that her life as the Queen of Cool might be over.

In this light-hearted and funny novel, Castelluci explores typical teenage themes--finding yourself, and discovering what true friendship means--in her usual frank and honest style. Her prose is sparse, with no extra words or long descriptions, and short chapters make for a quick read. She unflinchingly portrays the reality of teenage life, from drinking at parties, to making out with boys, with a non-judgemental attitude that lets the reader draw their own conclusions about Libby's actions. Readers will be able to relate to Libby's struggles to feel like she belongs as she's changing and learning new things about herself, and growing away from friends she's had her whole life.

Recommended, especially for older, reluctant teen readers. ( )

This was a quick, compulsive read. Although I had a pretty clear idea about what was going to happen in the end, I enjoyed watching the characters figure it out. There were a few moments that beautifully captured that sense of being stuck in between worlds, belonging to none. ( )