cover image A Tale of Two Besties: A Hello Giggles Novel

A Tale of Two Besties: A Hello Giggles Novel

Sophia Rossi. Razorbill, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-59514-805-6

This debut YA novel by Rossi, a cofounder of online community HelloGiggles.com (along with actress Zooey Deschanel, who contributes a foreword), examines a friendship in flux. Told from the alternating perspectives of and text messages between best friends Lily and Harper, the story follows these independent-thinking girls' separate high-school journeys. With encouragement from Harper and a pair of fairy wings that she has worn with her outfits since elementary school, "gawkward" Lily learned early on that "being different could be a power instead of a curse." When Lily enters an alternative private high school that champions individuality and is swept into a cultish club, its leader hijacks Lily's trademark look and makes wings a mandatory accessory for members. While a confused yet flattered Lily basks in her newfound popularity, typically confident Harper struggles socially in her public school and feels abandoned by Lily. Though the dialed-up theatrics and fanatical club protocol stretch believability, Rossi has a handle on teen voices and emotions, and offers a distinctive take on personal integrity, conformity, stereotyping, peer pressure, bullying, and loyalty. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. (May)