The List

“The List,” by Siobhan Vivian, is just one of her many novels including “Not That Kind of Girl,” “Same Difference,” “A Little Friendly Advice,” and “The Burn of Burn Trilogy.” Visit her website http://www.siobhanvivian.com for more information about her and her writings. Vivian's other novels are mainly about challenges young girls face, just like “The List.” “The List” is about a list, created by a mystery person, with the four prettiest and four ugliest girls in their high school. The novel gives insight to the eight girls lives after the list goes out.  The story is told in a week and includes the Homecoming dance. It shows how labels, good or bad, affect our lives.

               

Each of the characters are changed by the list. Abby, Lauren, Bridget, and Margo are on the pretty side of the list, while Danielle, Candace, Sarah, and Jennifer are on the ugly side. Abby’s older sister hates the idea of the list, which turns Abby’s joyfulness into bleakness. Danielle hopes her boyfriend won’t think about her differently, since she in now considered the ugliest freshman. Lauren is new to the school scene, because she has been homeschooled ever since she was little, so now being the prettiest sophomore brings instant popularity. Candace believes she is not ugly on the outside, but on the inside it is a whole different story. Bridget doesn’t like her body, but her summer transformation gives her the prettiest junior spot on the list. Sarah hates to follow rules, so being the ugliest junior makes her want to be a rebel even more. Margo and Jennifer, ex-best friends are involuntarily pushed to confront each other about the list and why their once great friendship ended. “This morning, before the first homeroom bell, every girl at Mount Washington High will learn if her name is on the list or not. The ones who aren’t will wonder what the experience, good or bad, might have been like. The eight girls who are won’t have a choice” (Vivian 4). This quote was so truthful to me.  It was the theme of the book.  Labels, good or bad, became the reality for these characters.

               

I found this book quite interesting. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes books about life as a teenager. “The List” is perfect for anyone willing to read about challenges teenagers face. Some people who don’t like to read realistic fiction would most likely not like this novel. Yet I would still recommend it. I loved reading this book because it shows the reader that labels affect you, even if you don’t believe they do. This book is a great story about stereotypes, and I think everyone could learn something from it.

Book Review by Hannah S.