Claire Perry takes her fourteen-year-old sister Nellie, who is a champion gymnastics competitor, to a summer beach party. At the party Nellie gets drunk. On the way home, Claire lets Nellie goad her into passing their friend Adam so Nellie can flash him. They get into an accident and Nellie is seriously injured. The book deals with the relationship between Claire and Nellie and Claire realizes the importance of friends and family. The author presents the characters’ emotions very realistically, which enhances the enjoyment of the book. 296 pages Ages 14 and up (Heavy drinking; sexual references)

Recommended by Karen Limbaugh, Teacher Librarian.