Capital Girls

Gr 9 Up–Four Washington, DC, high school students explore the world of politics, friendship, love, and betrayal in this teenage drama. Taylor has died in a car crash, and Jackie, Lettie, and Laura Beth are left to pick up the pieces. Whitney, a “Californian hippie type,” comes into town and is searching for information for her mother’s gossip column. Jackie (Virgin Queen Bee), the main character, starts off as compassionate and stuck in a dull relationship while trying to cope with the loss of her best friend. Her mother is the president’s Chief of Staff, and Jackie is dating the president’s son. Lettie (Token Charity Case) is the daughter of the chauffeur of the Paraguayan ambassador to the United States. Laura Beth’s (Southern Belle Wannabe) mother is a lush and has myriad political contacts. When Whitney is invited to join their clique, trouble is inevitable. The political climate is well captured, but the consistent use of name brands can be distracting. Readers will enjoy the multiple points of view and story line, but will have trouble sympathizing with the characters as they are not very likable. Reluctant readers will lose interest in the eye-rolling dialogue and predictable twists. Plot holes linger throughout, leaving frustrating questions. The abrupt ending clearly sets up the sequel.–Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ