Goodbye, Rebel Blue

Rebecca “Rebel” Blue is no Cinderella type, but when she slips into a “good” girl’s shoes, she learns a lot about herself. It all starts when 16-year-old Rebel meets do-gooder Kennedy Green in detention. Their assignment is to create a bucket list of things they want to accomplish before they die, and while Rebel brushes off the assignment, Kennedy takes it seriously. The next day, when the news that Kennedy has been killed spreads through school, Rebel feels obliged to take on Kennedy’s list. In doing so, Rebel uncharacteristically becomes involved in some fairly noble acts, like participating in community service and random kindnesses. Meanwhile, she falls for a high-achieving jock—definitely not her usual type—and befriends a pie-baking fanatic. Coriell’s (Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe) offbeat premise and unconventional heroine make for a fresh, lively story sharply punctuated by wit and romance. Rebel’s unlikely evolution comes across as plausible as she catches glimpses of her own needs while she ponders Kennedy’s desires. Admitting how much she needs other people proves to be Rebel’s greatest challenge of all. Ages 12–18. (Oct.)