Publisher Description

An unflinching story of a troubled friendship — and one girl's struggle to come to terms with secrets and shame and find her own power to heal.

Leah Greene is dead. For Laine, knowing what really happened and the awful feeling that she is, in some way, responsible set her on a journey of painful self-discovery. Yes, she wished for this. She hated Leah that much. Hated her for all the times in the closet, when Leah made her do those things. They were just practicing, Leah said. But why did Leah choose her? Was she special, or just easy to control? And why didn't Laine make it stop sooner? In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laine is left to explore the devastating lessons Leah taught her, find some meaning in them, and decide whether she can forgive Leah and, ultimately, herself.

Author Biography

Jo Knowles is the author of several acclaimed young adult novels including Read Between the Lines, See You at Harry's, and Jumping Off Swings. She is the recipient of the 2005 PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award. Jo Knowles lives in Vermont.

Prizes

Short-listed for Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers 2009

Description for Library

After her former friend Leah dies in an automobile accident, Laine remembers their troubled relationship, dating back to elementary school when Leah convinced Laine to "practice" in the closet with her, and Leah controlled her every thought.

Details