Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are
Author: Courtney Summers
Pages: 256
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: January 5, 2010

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first. Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Regina Afton used to be at the top. She got everything she wanted, had a great boyfriend, and had a great time. When one unfortunate event happens, she is betrayed and cast out of the in-group. She experiences verbal, physical, and emotional problems that make her life miserable even when she fights back. Regina comes from way at the top, and drops to the bottom of the barrel. But when she tries to make new friends and ask for help, she is rejected every time. Because she's done worse to them when she was one of the queen bees. Everyone turns their back to her. All except Michael. When they finally find a connection together, will the in-clique break that even before it starts?

Some Girls Are is an edgy, concise, and raw read. The concept of popularity here is greatly emphasized and is scrutinized at a completely different level. The cruelty and immense bullying in Some Girls Are is seemingly unimaginable. But the insight into Regina's mind is thought-provoking and contradictory to many people who have not experienced this type of abuse. Some Girls Are introduces not only verbal abuse, but also harsh, physical harassment that is so deeply embedded into the atmosphere.

In Some Girls Are, Summers does something that was first introduced to us in her debut, Cracked Up to Be. She provides readers with the real, rough, grit that completely changes many's perspective of high school. Even though that many are not aware of this situation that could be happening all over the world, readers are thrown into the harsh, cold, and unforgivable backdrop of high school.

An unsuspecting victim, Regina is used to being at the top and getting her way. But when she is betrayed, she is showed a completely different side of her high school's sharky waters. At first, readers will almost pity her for the actions done towards her. But when they find out, that she's done the exact same thing to others, readers will also understand the perspective of Regina's 'victims'. Her life at home and at school is so different and her true emotions are so well-hid. Summers completely captures with Regina's narration and inevitably strong characterization. And her relationship with Michael grows into something complicated and different from what they've both experienced. Readers will see them gradually and genuinely understand each other little by little until they know each other so completely, more than anybody else.

Anna is manipulative and very determined. She's not at all like other clichéd mean girl antagonists. She has a goal in mind and uses her wits to complete that goal. Her mercilessness and backstabbing at Regina is so cruel and unthinkable and she turns on Regina fast and doesn't give her a chance to explain. She uses the people around her to do what she wants and seems untouchable with power. Her very potent and authoritative character will both provoke and impress readers.

All through out Some Girls Are, readers will not ever get a break. It's intense and brutal all the time and concise with simple, but exact words that completely enhance what the characters are going through. Summers' writing is harsh and painful in strong, emotive way and reader's will be exhausted after reading this short, but very powerful novel.

Fast-paced and emotionally-surrendering, Some Girls Are is a bittersweet novel that pulls unaware readers and introduces them to a large problem that could be happening anywhere at all. They are put in the place of Regina, and will feel the hurt, insecurity, and fear that she feels just by going to school. High school is a whole different world. A+ =)

The Bottom Line: You will be Regina Afton for 256 pages. Harsh.

---Field Report---
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 98/100 (A+)