Frankie Landau-Banks is not satisfied being the cute high school sophomore who needs protecting by her boyfriend. She’s not satisfied that she’s not taken seriously by her family or friends. She’s not satisfied that she’s excluded from Alabaster Prep School’s all male Loyal Order of the Bassets, even though her father was a member. Even her boyfriend, Matthew, is a member, but he won’t admit or discuss it because it’s that secret. He’s even co-king, along with Alpha.
Frankie never gets alone time with Matthew because he’s always either with all his Bassett friends or on call—every time Alpha calls, Matthew runs off with some feeble excuse, leaving her high and dry. Matthew’s correcting her grammar rather than listening to what she has to say, is the last straw. It’s time for revenge—or to prove a point.
This is Lockhart’s best book. It is extremely well written. There’s action, romance, humor. It tells a great story, but it also has a moral. Should a young girl be satisfied with the status quo, just because she’s a girl? Can she be taken seriously as a thinker, do-er, planner? Can she change the world? Should she want to change the world? Frankie is a character you’ll want to know, maybe even want to be. You’ll love and also hate Matthew and the other Bassets. Trust me. You won’t want to put this book down. This is a must read.
And while you’re at it, enjoy Lockhart’s other great books: Fly on the Wall, The Boyfriend List, Dramarama and The Boy Book.
Ed Goldberg
Teen Services Librarian