Confessions of a Hater

Gr 9 Up—In this funny story of pranks and mean-girl antics, Hailey Harper is on her way to becoming the Queen Bee of mean-even if she doesn't realize it. Before she and her parents moved to Hollywood for her dad's new job, she was bullied and ignored at school. But after she starts following the advice outlined in her older sister's diary (and wearing her old clothes), her social luck changes. Yet when she briefly becomes part of the most popular clique at West Hollywood High, she realizes that the group's leader, Skyler, is pretty cruel. Hailey's determination to beat Skyler at her own game results in an all-out prank war. But as the stunts get nastier and nastier, Hailey starts to realize that maybe she's the top Mean Girl after all. This fast read will definitely entertain fans of realistic fiction with a little bit of romance mixed in. There are some semi-hot-and-heavy sex scenes toward the end of the book as well as casual references to alcohol peppered throughout. The story of Hailey's downfall is realistically written, and all of the characters are well developed and very lifelike. The ending is sewn up a little too perfectly, and the pop-culture references could quickly date the narrative. Nonetheless, this is a solid recommendation for those who'd like a glimpse into the life of a Hollywood hater.—Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR