Lessons from a Dead Girl
by Jo Knowles
by Jo Knowles
LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL by Jo Knowles
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 10/9/07
Publisher: Candlewick
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 5 Stars
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn’t understand Leah, or why
Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn’t understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll
closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn’t
understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As their English teacher told them
once, you only hate what you don’t understand.
Now that Leah Greene has died, Laine forces herself to try to understand Leah, and the things that Leah taught her about
friendship and secrets. Friends are forever, Leah told her. Permanent just like the ink that Leah used to stake her claim on
Laine’s hand back when they were young. Laine must now face the impact of what “forever” really means, and how it has
affected her own aspects of the world.
Jo Knowles has penned a stunning book that takes an introspective look at the scars of childhood abuse at the hands of a
child’s peers. Laine’s experiences will have a profound impact on anyone who has ever wondered about the dynamics of
child sociology, and how the damaging effects of abuse resonate from the original victims. For the mature young adult.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 10/9/07
Publisher: Candlewick
Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose
Rating: 5 Stars
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn’t understand Leah, or why
Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn’t understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll
closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn’t
understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As their English teacher told them
once, you only hate what you don’t understand.
Now that Leah Greene has died, Laine forces herself to try to understand Leah, and the things that Leah taught her about
friendship and secrets. Friends are forever, Leah told her. Permanent just like the ink that Leah used to stake her claim on
Laine’s hand back when they were young. Laine must now face the impact of what “forever” really means, and how it has
affected her own aspects of the world.
Jo Knowles has penned a stunning book that takes an introspective look at the scars of childhood abuse at the hands of a
child’s peers. Laine’s experiences will have a profound impact on anyone who has ever wondered about the dynamics of
child sociology, and how the damaging effects of abuse resonate from the original victims. For the mature young adult.
