The List by Siobhan Vivian

Pages: 332

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

Stand Alone

My Rating:  3 / 5

 I'll admit, I enjoy reading young adult novels.  I have a 12-year old daughter (about to turn 13) and a 10-year old son.  I'm not far away from being a parent of a young adult.  And that scares the crap out of me. Being the parent of a teenager in this world is daunting.  So, I'll take almost any chance I have to get a peek into the world of high school.  Besides actually going there again, I mean really, who would want to do that.  The social status issues, the body image issues, the insecurity, the dating.  UGH!  But, I would like some insight.  Though, who am I kidding, reality is much scarier than any of these books...

So, I just finished reading The List by Siobhan Vivian.  I found myself up until the wee hours of the morning reading this one.  I wanted to find out what happened to the girls on the list and I wanted to know who wrote the list.

Here's the story:

Each year, on the last Monday in September, the students of Mount Washington High School arrive to find the List plastered on lockers, on desks, on walls; basically throughout the school.  The list names the prettiest girl and the ugliest girl in each grade.  The list is written anonymously and authenticated by a Mount Washington High embossing stamp in the lower right corner.  According to legend, the stamp was stolen and is passed down each year to a new author.  No one is sure how and to whom the list is passed.  The story shows how being on the list affects the girls and changes their lives.  Being named the prettiest or the ugliest girl has consequences for each girl that no one could foresee.

Characters:

Danielle Demarco is named the Ugliest Freshman and the list nicknames her "Dan the Man".  She is a competitive girl and on the swim team. With all her athletic success and strength, Danielle seems confident enough to overcome her embarrassment at being named the ugliest freshman girl.  But, she has some underlying insecurities about her body type and her boyfriend is acting funny.  Will her game face get her through this?

Abby Warner is named Prettiest Freshman girl. She is thrilled to be on the list and wonders why her older sister never told her about this tradition.  Abby is excited to go to the homecoming dance and that new boys are noticing her.  But, she isn't keeping up with her school work.  Will this list bring her happiness or pain?  

Candace Kincaid is named Ugliest Sophomore girl, with the comment "Beauty isn't just skin-deep btw.  She is surprised and angry to be named ugliest, even though the comment points out that her ugliness is on the inside.  In her mind  Candace was prepared to be named prettiest. Are Candace's friends really her friends?  Is Candace just a selfish mean-girl?  How will being named the ugliest girl change Candace's life?

Lauren Finn is named Prettiest Sophomore girl.  This is Lauren's first year in a real school.  Up until now, Lauren has been home-schooled.  Before the list comes out, no one notices Lauren.  She is lost and uncomfortable in her new high school life. Lauren has a very close relationship with her mom and has led a very sheltered life.  Now that she is on the list, people are noticing her and talking to her. So, is it all coming up roses for her? How will being on the list change her?

Sarah Singer is named Ugliest Junior girl. Sarah isn't interested in being part of the social games of high school. Underneath her tough exterior, Sarah may have a softer, more vulnerable side.  She is so angry about the list and wants to make a statement. How far is she willing to go?

Bridget Honeycutt is named Prettiest Junior girl.  Bridget is constantly worried about her weight and she is certain that the weight she lost over the summer is what got her on the list.  She lost the weight by eating next to nothing all summer.  She knows that not eating isn't healthy and is determined to control her eating issues.  How will the list affect her and how far will she go to live up to the expectations that come with being named the prettiest?

Jennifer Briggis is named Ugliest Senior girl, and this is the fourth year she has been named the ugliest girl.  Usually  a different girl is named each year, but Jennifer has been on the list every year.  How will Jennifer handle it this year?  And what is the history between Jennifer and Margo?

Margo Gable is name Prettiest Senior girl and seems to be a lock for homecoming queen. She is surprised when her friends seem more interested in making Jennifer feel better than in congratulating Margo. She doesn't feel bad for Jennifer and doesn't understand why her friends feel a need to include Jennifer as part of their group.

Conclusion:

I did enjoy the book. In the beginning, I found myself constantly referring back to the list. I couldn't remember the names and who was prettiest or ugliest. As the book progressed, I found myself connecting with the characters, but I also felt I wanted to know more.  With so many different characters with their own story lines, I didn't get to know each one as well as I could have. I wanted to find out more about Bridget's eating issues and I wanted to get to know Jennifer better and find out what made her so angry.  The story moved quickly and like I said, I spend a few nights up late because I wanted to find out the truth.  I would say this book gives a fair glimpse of high school life and how the social and emotional pressures can affect different types of girls (and boys).

Final Thought:

In my life, I see a lot of people who seem to be nasty or bitchy or self-centered.  I need to try to be patient and not judge them too harshly.  People who seem strong and confident have insecurities too.  None of us are immune to the social pressures of society.  And if you think the clique behavior and judgements of high school disappear as we become adults, think again. Unfortunately, as part of the PSTA in my children's school, I have seen the same types of behavior in adults that we see in these high school students.