Gone Too Far

November 24, 2014
Richards (Six Months Later) delivers a gripping whodunit with a challenging ethical dilemma at its center. High school senior Piper Woods finds a journal filled with incriminating revelations about her classmates. Soon after, Piper begins to receive text messages from an unknown source who is determined to right the wrongs that led to the death of Stella DuBois, a classmate caught in a compromising act. Piper, an outsider and the yearbook photographer, picks each target, and her mystery accomplice fits the punishment to the crime. The plan works a little too well, and as Piper gains a boyfriend and chronicles the demise of the popular clique through her lens, she finds that her family and friends are targets themselves. Faced with the decision to reveal herself, Piper must also uncover her accomplice, a situation that leads to violence. Richards maintains a quick pace and creates enough red herrings to keep readers guessing. The subtext of the novel, that change is inevitable, is poignant and clearly established through the characterization of Piper and her friends. Ages 14–up. Agent: Cori Deyoe, 3 Seas Literary Agency.

January 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-Piper Woods is a senior who trips on a notebook that will change her life forever. Before she can turn it in, she makes the mistake of looking inside and discovers that omeone has been keeping tabs on the entire student body. Included are photos with students's eyes gorged out. Could the terrible things written inside be true? One of the secrets could get Piper's best friend, Manny, into serious trouble. Figuring out who the author of the notebook is takes center stage. After the death of a fellow student, Piper gets in over her head, and some readers may struggle with Piper's decision to not turn in the notebook to the authorities. In the midst of figuring it out, someone starts texting Piper and asks her to send a name and "make them pay" for the death of the student. Piper gives a name and what was meant for justice turns into innocent people getting hurt. During all of this, romance springs up between Piper and one of the guys on the football team, Nick. Themes include bullying, suicide, and relationships. An additional purchase where mysteries with hints of romance are popular.-Jesten Ray, Seattle Public Library, WA

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