TITLE: Pretty Little Liars
AUTHOR: Sara Shepard
PUBLISHER: Harper Teen
PUBLISHED DATE: August 27, 2007
ISBN: 978-0060887322
PAGES: 304
Well....After I-don't-even-know-how-many books in this series printed and sold, a television series in I-don't-even-know-what season....I have finally read the book.
This is a wildly popular book, the world over, and unsurprisingly it is popular here in East Orange where more than 20% of the entire city is living below the poverty line. There must be something cathartic about reading the scandalous details of the waspy elite that appeal to the youths who frequent my library. Though this book was published in 2007, the success of the series and television show keeps it popular and relevant.
Pretty Little Liars is a story about old guard teenaged girls from Philadelphia's Main Line who pull back the layers of their pristine lives to reveal the bulemia, homophobia, shoplifting, and illicit sex with teachers that might make the kids from the streets of East Orange feel a little solidarity. The writing wasn't particularly significant and the storyline was fairly predictable, but for the teens who enjoy the series, I'm sure it delivers. I'm glad to now have a little more background with which to provide a more informed readers advisory. I'm not sure if I will be investing my reading time into the entire series - but I'm glad to have had a sampling of what my patrons like.
Recommendation: If you like scandalous teenaged mysteries or this series is popular in your library and you're the last person on earth who hasn't read it - save yours truly - give it a whirl!
Audience: Young Adults (Grade 9 and up)