How the Other Half Die

Gr 10 Up–On the exclusive Mokani Island, Avery spends two weeks of every summer enjoying a luxurious vacation with her parents and childhood friends. This year, she invites her college roommate, Nora, to join the vacation. What begins as a reunion of old friends quickly descends into tension as secrets simmer beneath the surface. The group struggles to embrace Nora, who stands out as the only outsider in their world of wealth and privilege. As the days unfold, it becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars in this YA thriller that delves into the complexities of class, friendship, and the facade of perfection. While the extravagant lifestyles of these superrich teens can come across as comical at times, readers will also see the more relatable struggles of its characters, each of whom grapples with personal dilemmas despite their wealth. The thriller aspect of the story takes time to unfold, but once it does, the payoff is satisfying, even if the final twist feels somewhat predictable. The resolution, while neat and tidy, provides closure that leaves readers with a sense of fulfillment. LGBTQ characters are present, and race of the characters is not specified. Hand this to mature readers prepared for some explicit language, excessive drinking, sex, and sexual assault (not shown on page).