Cracked Up to Be

Reader: Sabrina K
Age: 15
Title: Cracked Up to Be
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub Date: 12/23/2008
Galley: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Parker is a great character, I've never read a character that was so well based before in a book. You could tell that the author took time to really get this character downand develop into the spunky character the reader got to know.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: How one event changed this group of friends’ lives forever, this was almost like the horror movie, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" except it was at a party and Jessica (the girl who died) didn't physically come out and attack the popular kids.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The cover did not tempt me to pick up the book, I've seen the image used for so many other book covers. Even though it does reflect the contents of the book the coverwas unoriginal and bland, something to show the many emotions of Parker would be a great cover idea.
Comments: I loved how every chapter or so there was a new detail that was added about the party before Jessica's death. It added more suspense to the plot and gave the characters more depth.
Age Range: 14-15, 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal