The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. Ever heard of it? No? Well everyone at the elite boarding school Alabaster Prep has... including the naturally curious and uncommonly bright Frankie Landau-Banks.  Although everyone knows about the secret society of the most promising and and rich male students on campus, no one has ever tried to question it.  Once Frankie realizes she can't belong to the Bassets or even discuss the existence of the Loyal Order with her supposedly-Basset boyfriend, she decides to use her cunning, scheming mind to manipulate the Loyal Order to do her bidding.  By using an anonymous online identity, Frankie turns the Loyal Order completely upside down, but there's always a price to messing with the powerful.

With a satirical and anti-sexist/anti-classist feel, "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" is a book that everyone can read and relate to. The narrator is an omnipresent 3rd person who tells the story in a very matter-of-fact and straightforward manner, telling this somewhat peculiar story without a hint of sarcasm or judgement.  I laughed and laughed throughout the entire book, and also felt a sense of pride when Frankie did anything that pushed the sexist limits of her peers, teachers, and parents.  However, Frankie is by no means a flawless hero.  There are times when she is ruthless, egocentric, and stubborn, but those qualities just make her an authentic character that you continue to root for.

I'd say this book is perfect for ages thirteen and up, but there are plenty of in-jokes for adults who might like to pick it up as well (for example, Frankie's affection for P.G. Woodhouse). E. Lockhart has written quite a few books, and each one is absolutely fantastic, but "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" truly takes the cake with its phenomenal presentation, original characters, quick pacing, and lively, engaging narrator.

"The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart has the Abigail T stamp of approval: this is legitimate young adult fiction.


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Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

These days, it's not easy getting into a school of prestige.  You need to stand out, be better than the best, be more than interesting.  This is something both Finn and Chloe understand, and so they devise a most intense, insane, and ingenious plan to get themselves into the colleges of their choice: fake a kidnapping. What school would say no to a girl who was kidnapped, and her best friend who found her? That would be one hell of an entrance essay.  But as I'm sure you can imagine, things don't go exactly according to plan.

"Accomplice" is a dark tale that will thrill and fascinate readers ages fourteen/fifteen and up. It's a book full of suspense, dark comedy, and a satirical look at what students feel like they are expected to do in order to be different and interesting enough to be admitted into higher education.  It takes the feel of a comedy-of-errors story, and turns it into something bleaker... more nightmarish. Corrigan does a fantastic job keeping the voice of Finn (our narrator) very real and relatable, and you will unwaveringly be on her side for the entirety of the novel. Throughout everything Finn puts herself through, you remain her cheerleader, hoping beyond hope that each obstacle in her way is one she can pass.

This is a brilliantly crafted story that somewhere down the line becomes less upbeat and funny, and you're not sure where the seamless flip happens. I could not for the life of me put it down. If you are looking for a gift for your teenager who likes books that aren't flat-out disturbing, but are still a little creepy and suspenseful, then you absolutely must get them this book.

"Accomplice" by Eireann Corrigan has the Abigail T stamp of approval: this is legitimate young adult fiction.

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