She's So Dead to Us
by Kieran Scott

    SHE'S SO DEAD TO US by Kieran Scott
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date: 5/25/10
    Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Ally Ryan can’t believe she’s back in Orchard Hill.  Over a year ago, her family slipped out at night without
    telling anyone goodbye.  Ally’s father made a bad investment, and many of the Ryan’s’ close friends lost
    money.  The Ryans lost everything.  Now that Ally and her mom have moved back to Orchard Hill sans her
    father, Ally innocently assumes her “Crestie” friends will welcome her back with open arms.  After all, it was her
    father that lost their money, not her.

    Her first night back, she takes her bike and rides by her old house.  She and her mom are now living in a
    depressing condo on the “Norm” side of town.  When she sees her house, a cute boy calls out to her from her
    old bedroom window.  Who is this boy?   She doesn’t get his name, but he tells her there’s a party at Connor
    Shale’s house the night before school.  Just like old times.  She talks herself into going, and there she’s
    confronted with her past.  

    Her old friends no longer want anything to do with her.  They are determined to make her remember that she’s
    no longer a “Crestie” but a “Norm.”

    Ally finds out the mysterious boy is Jake Graydon.  He’s taken her place in her circle of friends.  Jake is
    attracted to Ally but can’t admit it to his friends because they’ve sworn against Ally and all things Ryan.  Ally is
    attracted to Jake.  She gets mixed signals from him and can never determine if he likes her or is just being
    friendly.  

    Told in the alternating voices of Ally and Jake, SHE'S SO DEAD TO US draws you in from the early moments
    when Jake and Ally first meet.  Jake is a typical boy, and though you may want to hate him for how he
    sometimes treats Ally, his reactions to peer pressure are typical and expected.  He tries to do what is right but is
    squeezed by both parents and friends.  Ally, on the other hand, is almost too naïve in her expectations of her old
    friends.  From the beginning, you just know that they are going to be a spoiled nasty bunch, but Ally doesn’t
    realize this until after a few harsh encounters.

    There are a lot of twists and turns in SHE'S SO DEAD TO US,  and, of course, a cliff hanger of an ending.  
    There are a lot of unresolved issues when you reach the final page - there has to be a sequel!  For fans of series'
    like IT GIRL, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, and PRIVATE, this is another one (I hope) that will draw you in and
    make you want more.