September 1, 2021
High school junior Shade joins the cheerleading team so she can fly, and despite the turmoil that threatens to bring her down, she does. Social outsiders Shade Meyer and best friend Jadis Braff are so tight, they can't tell where one begins and the other ends. But one thing they don't agree on is cheer: Jadis doesn't get why Shade wants to attend pep rallies to watch the cheerleaders, but former gymnast Shade wants to share in their glory. Unable to resist the pull, she joins the squad, which is led by a trio of Chloes. Of the three, it is Chloe Orbach who really reigns, sparking a rivalry with Chloe Schmidt. Tensions between the girls heighten when Chloe Orbach takes Shade under her wing, signaling changes in long-standing relationships. Things come to a head at the homecoming dance when Chloe Orbach overdoses and dies. Who gave her the lethal dose? High school drama, cliques, jealousy, obsession, the power of friendship, and the toxicity of codependence are explored with sensitivity. This is all balanced seamlessly against family dynamics, making for an unusually complex story. Shade must struggle with her suspicions about Jadis' possible involvement in Chloe Orbach's death before she can determine the real culprit. When she finally sees past the irrelevant details, Shade finds herself on solid footing, ready to launch herself independently into the world. Everything ties up rather neatly but gratifyingly so. Main characters default to White. Engrossing. (Thriller. 14-18)
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October 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 High-school juniors Shade and Jadis are best friends who share everything and seem, to others, to be one person. Shade, however, dreams of joining the cheer team and becoming her own person, while Jadis mocks the idea and clings tightly to Shade. Shade eventually joins the team anyway and falls into step with the three cheerleaders, all named Chloe, who rule the school. Unhappy with Shade's choice, Jadis accuses her of severing their friendship. Then, after Shade convinces Jadis to join her and the Chloes at the homecoming dance, something goes terribly wrong, and one of the Chloes dies mysteriously. With all the evidence pointing to Jadis, Shade wonders just how well she knows her friend. Journalist-turned-author Krischer's (Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf, 2020) sophomore novel explores the kinds of toxic relationships that teenagers often find themselves in. A heavy dose of cheer terminology immerses readers in that world, while strong themes of independence, friendships, and boundaries will speak to teen readers. Gripping.
COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
November 1, 2021
Gr 10 Up-This young adult mystery/thriller is told by Shade, a junior in high school. Shade is great in gymnastics and has always been fascinated with cheerleading, but has never pursued her interest in it, mainly because of her fear of "The Three Chloes"-Chloe Orbach, the ringleader and cheer team captain; Chloe Clarke, the most talented on the team; and Chloe Schmidt, the meanest of them all. Shade is also afraid to tell her best friend, Jadis, that she wants to join the team; the two girls are inseparable, and neither fits the stereotype of a cheerleader. When Shade decides to join the team anyway and quickly gets drawn into the inner circle of "The Three Chloes," her relationship with Jadis becomes strained. Things take a turn for the worse when one of the Chloes mysteriously ends up dead at a school dance. While trying to uncover what really happened, Shade begins to question whether her friend is to blame and whether joining the team was a mistake. The theme of this story is how serious, consuming, and even toxic high school girls' relationships can become. It also focuses on the commitment and even the dangers involved with cheerleading and how these are so often overlooked. The book contains drug use and alcohol consumption, but they are not depicted in a positive light. VERDICT This fast-paced, thrilling read belongs in all school libraries. It touches on issues such as toxic friendships, high school sports, gender roles, and stereotyping.-Lacey Webster, Acadia Parish Lib., Crowley, LA
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