The Ivies

April 1, 2021
The Plastics meet the Heathers in this murder mystery about ruthless Ivy League ambition. After scholarship student Olivia transferred to an elite boarding school in 10th grade, she knew intelligence and drive wouldn't be enough to get her a full ride to an Ivy League school. So she jumped at the chance to become one of the Ivies, a supercompetitive clique of girls who use their cunning, social standing, family power, and skills to ensure they snag coveted spots at America's top universities. They systematically target their classmates using the List, where they track competitors to sabotage. But when one of the Ivies turns up dead, Olivia finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her friends, classmates, and even her crush, biracial (Black and implied White) Canadian Ethan. Equal parts murder mystery and competitive college admissions satire, this dark story of an outsider struggling to survive in a cutthroat environment is a descendant of movies like Heathers and Mean Girls. The well-developed tension between Olivia's shrewd detective work, her former trust in the corrupt Ivies, and her undeniable culpability creates a compelling page-turning pace. Although experienced readers of the genre may anticipate some plot twists, there are enough red herrings to make the final reveal and satirical ending satisfying. Olivia reads as White, like the majority of her classmates; the other Ivies include one Black girl and one Korean American girl. A thrilling boarding school story with a satirical edge. (Mystery. 14-18)

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April 26, 2021
Every year, the best colleges admit only a few graduates each from prestigious Massachusetts boarding school Claflin Academy. White scholarship student Olivia Winters lacks the means and connections of other Claflin seniors, which is why she joined the Ivies—a group of five girls, three white, one Black, and one Korean American, all willing to sabotage their peers to help one another secure Ivy League acceptance. Per a rule established by founder and Harvard hopeful Avery Montfort, no two Ivies can target the same institution from the consortium of eight. But the true extent of the clique’s cutthroat nature is exposed when fellow Ivy and purported Brown applicant Emma Russo gets accepted early decision to Harvard, and Avery is rejected. Shortly thereafter, someone murders Emma. Budding journalist Olivia resolves to discover the culprit—not least because Avery will eventually discover that supposed Penn applicant Olivia also received a Harvard acceptance. Quick pacing, dark humor, and deftly drawn characters distinguish this satirical thriller from Donne (The Stars We Steal). Myriad twists and Olivia’s keen detective work propel the mystery to a cynical, gratifying close. Ages 14–up. Agent: Elana Roth Parker, Laura Dail Literary.

May 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-This thrilling and vicious tale focuses on the Ivies, five young women doing everything they can to enter the Ivy League colleges, plotting to one-up schoolmates and each other to get into the college of their choice...or figure out why they were rejected. To eradicate the competition, ringleader Avery assigns each girl a school to apply to. However, scholarship student Olivia ignores this mandate and gets accepted to Harvard-Avery's school. When one of the group dies, it sends Olivia reeling into a real-life investigation of murder and fraud. The girls' friendships are contentions and mean-spirited, though the characters' lack of redeeming qualities is what propels the intrigue and interest. Profanity makes this title suitable for older teens. Olivia is coded as white and the cast includes Black and Korean American characters. VERDICT This compelling thriller will have teens asking whether sacrificing one's morals to get into college is worth it.-Ashleigh Hvinden, Carlsbad City Lib., CA

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 Olivia Winters spends her senior year at boarding school Claflin Academy worrying about college admissions and how to pay for school, all while trying to win approval from her uber-rich friends, known as the Ivies. Unconcerned with money and bent on increasing their own chances of getting into Ivy League schools, the Ivies go to great lengths to sabotage their classmates' rankings, grades, and extracurriculars. When, following a surprise college acceptance, a student is murdered, Olivia realizes how ruthless college admissions can be--and that her friends may not be as harmless as she thought. Donne pens a thrilling novel set in the world of competitive, hyper-elite college admissions, combining romance, suspense, and mystery into one thrilling story that closes with a twist. Many facets of the high school experience are explored, reflecting on the highly pressurized world that many teenagers face as they prepare to graduate. A mystery to solve and a glimpse into the lives of the rich and powerful add substance to this enthralling read.

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