See All the Stars

At 16, Ellory May thought she had everything figured out. Her squad—Ret, Bex, and Jenni—spent an almost perfect summer together, and things got even better after Ellory met Matthias and the two began to fall in love. Now 18, Ellory is returning to school for the first time after an incident the previous spring. Though no one outwardly blames Ellory for what happened, she has become a social outcast, friendless and brokenhearted. Debut novelist Frick divides her narrative into “then” and “now” chapters, slowly weaving together a story that highlights the sometimes claustrophobic nature of teen friendships. Frick nails Ret’s mean-girl manipulation of her circle of best buddies: “Ret Johnston was the sun. Hot, bright, at the center of our universe. That we revolved around her was simply a fact.” Equally impressive is how Frick slowly peels away the story’s truths, leaving the reader to question everything, including Ellory’s mental health. Taut and riveting, Frick’s psychological thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Ages 14–up. Agent: Erin Harris, Folio Literary Management. [em](Aug.) [/em]