The True Meaning of Cleavage

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
In a telling novel about high school romance and friendship put to the test, first-time author Mariah Fredericks portrays one ninth-grader's struggle with her friend becoming "the other girl."

When Jess and Sari enter high school, the two buds fully expect the usual popularity contests that divide the "in" kids from the "out." But when Sari sets her focus on senior heartthrob David Cole -- who happens to be going out with the ultra-popular Thea -- Jess is painfully confused about whether her friend will ditch her for greener pastures. After Sari's blind-sighted, blatant advances toward David woo him enough to stray from Thea a bit (but not leave her), the other "Prada Mafia" girls begin spreading nasty comments about Sari. When Jess is prodded to reveal a secret, Sari is thrust into a spotlight that leaves both girls exposed and looking for the loyal friend they need most.

With a hard-hitting tone that reveals a cool understanding of teens, Fredericks serves up a fast-paced read that keeps you going until the last page. The pitfalls that Sari encounters can be painfully real for any girl seeking Mr. Perfect, and readers with similar problems might look for their own Jesses for that extra support. A proud novel that helps teen readers take stock of their own pride and dignity. Shana Taylor

Publishers Weekly

A girl comes to understand the ramifications of a fine figure (or lack thereof) as her best friend becomes the spotlight of their freshman year class. "This author clearly knows the psyche of adolescents," PW said. Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

Entering high school, the new teachers, a multitude of cliques, their own insecurities and their own growing interests challenge the friendship that Sari and Jess have shared for most of their lives. As Jess struggles through art class with her drawings, she discovers it parallels with the difficulties she and Sari are having as friends. Enter David, hot senior and idol of all that is female. Why is he interested in Sari, or she in him? He belongs to Thea, afterall. Confrontation with the "Prada Mafia," repercussions from a party and dealing with parents are just of the few of the growing pains endured by these two. You may split your sides laughing or find yourself crying at the intense scenarios presented here. Fans of the Angus (Rennison) or the Sisterhood (Brashares) stories will devour this tale. Eye-catching cover, too! 2003, Athenum Books for Young Readers,
— Mary Sue Preissner

VOYA

Jess, into science fiction and art, and Sari, into clothes and boys, are best friends. Barely settled into their freshman year at a New York City alternative school, Sari sets her sights on David, the senior jock who already has the perfect girlfriend. Sari is obsessed and will do anything to be David's girl, beginning with a sexual encounter in the bathroom at a party. Their secret meetings escalate to weekly sex at David's house. Sari cannot see that she is being used, until in desperation she tries to force David to acknowledge her at a party, and he walks away. The title certainly rings true. Sari painfully realizes that the seductive hollow separating her breasts might attract a guy's attention, but it can also be a visual reminder of the broken heart beneath. Jess discovers that slowly growing into her body and into a relationship with a guy is more her style. Most important, no matter what issues temporarily separate Jess and Sari, they will always be best friends in this must-read for every middle and junior high school girl. With Jess as the narrator, the message is clear, but it is not told in sexually graphic terms. Jess's sense of humor and her obsession with an upcoming science fiction movie will have teens chuckling as they keep reading to find out what out-of-control thing Sari will do next. Fredericks creates a modern day Forever that should escape the censor's sword. VOYA Codes: 5Q 5P M J (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Atheneum/S & S, 224p, Cox

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9-Jess and Sari, best friends, are starting their freshman year at Eldridge Alternative. Sari immediately falls "madly, psychotically in love" with senior David Cole, who is dating Thea, the most popular girl in school. Sari is pretty, "hot" even, with plenty of cleavage; she goes out of her way to attract David's attention and the two of them begin to have secret sexual encounters. Jess, the narrator, is smart, artistic (not hot), and into science fiction. The two girls begin to drift apart as the affair with David leads to a monomaniacal Sari, leaving Jess with practically no friends save the odd, social-misfit Danny. The story has been done before-best friends argue because of boy and eventually become pals again-but Fredericks has given Jess a fresh voice that will appeal to fans of Ann Brashares's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Delacorte, 2001). Jess is a strong character as she goes through all the motions-the painfulness of being on the outside, having a friend ignore her, and finding that she can develop other friendships. Readers will be intrigued by and possibly disturbed about Sari's obsession with David, but the real story is Jess dealing with the pain of betrayal and beginning to understand human nature. A decent "best-friends" story that will appeal to many readers.-Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Friendship conquers all in this ninth-grade slice-of-life as two teenage girls, one hot, one not, make it through their first rocky year of high school. Sari and Jess, the only two girls at Eldridge Alternative "who don't communicate by squealing and squeaking" have been best friends forever. Besides a love for tacky movies, they share a hatred for classmate Erica Trager and her Prada Mafia, a clique of rich, stylishly attired girls whose "combined IQ is roughly equivalent to that of a kumquat." But suddenly, Sari, who is beautiful, sexy, and ready for adventure, doesn't want to spend her nights watching old movies; she's fallen "madly, psychotically in love with David Cole," a handsome and popular senior who is fully enmeshed in a romantic relationship with another in-crowd member. Much to the more ordinary-looking Jess's despair, Sari ends up having a secret and degrading relationship with her beloved, who is firmly glued to his old girlfriend in public. Sari is consumed by David and the minutiae of their secret liaison, while Jess is fixated on Sari and what her involvement with David will mean for their friendship. With insight and a nice sprinkling of wit, newcomer Fredericks realistically captures high-school society, as well as neatly nailing the poignant voice of teenage obsession. Alas, obsession is by its very nature repetitive and the situation can become tiresome-also true to life-though readers who persevere can draw strength from the notion that friendship, like true love, can survive a multitude of stressors. A bright new voice to note. (Fiction. 12+)