LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL

Spare and evocative prose weaves the story of Leah and Lainey’s turbulent and abusive friendship. Fast friends from a young age, Leah is outgoing, “smart, so the teachers love her and . . . beautiful so the boys love her,” while Lainey is plain and introspective. During the younger years of their friendship, Leah is sexually abusive to Lainey, claiming that the two are “practicing.” As the girls grow older, Lainey pulls away from Leah, confused and hurt by Leah’s opprobrious behavior. Lainey falls in with new friends, while Leah becomes self-destructive. Over time, Lainey comes to understand the roots of Leah’s odd behavior, but by the time she comes to fully grasp it, it’s too late. Clearly and concisely written, Knowles’s provoking exploration of children abusing children portrays the tense and finely crafted dynamics between the two girls. Lainey’s character is extremely well-developed showing her metamorphosis from hypercritical and withdrawn to self-realized with a focused and knowing clarity. A razor-sharp examination of friendship, abuse and secrets. (Fiction. YA)