Outstanding books for teen girls. ( )

Reviewed by Amanda Dissinger for TeensReadToo.com

"I am drawing a picture of Sari Aaronsohn. She is my best friend."

These are the words that start out both the beginning and end of THE TRUE MEANING OF CLEAVAGE, a cute little story about two very different best friends and their first year of high school.

Jess, the "tomboy" of the two, is beginning her freshman year with hopes of surviving it. Sari, the "hottie," is beginning her freshman year with hopes of finding love, especially with the most popular senior in the school, David. Oh, did I mention he already has an equally popular girlfriend? Jess warns Sari against getting involved with David, but Sari won't listen, starts ignoring Jess, and is drawn to the danger and excitement of dating a boy three years her elder.

Soon, Sari is in way over her head, and the two girls are drifting more and more apart. Sari confides in Jess about the "affair" and, in a fit of rage, Jess tells the gossip queen of the school about the secret relationship. Both have to deal with the unpleasant consequences as they try to build back the relationship they once had.

Fredericks' characters and plot are very believable; the events in this book can happen to anyone (example: it happened to me in middle school. I was the tomboy.) The book is a light-hearted coming-of-age tale about two friends going through massive changes in their life, and the paths they choose to go on. It is an excellent read for those who want to remember the relationships they have lost in translation, and the relationships they will rekindle again as time goes on.

"I am drawing a picture of Sari Aaronsohn. She is my best friend." ( )

This book about friendship and love was clever and captivating. The characters were believable and the reader was able to connect and empathize with them. The thing that made the book humorous was the dry and sarcastic tone of the narrator, Jess. Her wit and tenacity really drove the story forward and brought comic relief to some of the more serious issues discussed in the book. There was great insight into the topic of relationships and friendships. I think this is a great read for younger teenage girls. It shows the struggles of balancing romantic relationships with friendships in a very straightforward, realistic approach. ( )

Best friends Sari and Jess are freshmen. Suddenly, when they had used to both despise the popular "in" crowd, Sari's chasing after the hottest senior in school, David, who just happens to already have a girlfriend. Jess is afraid that Sari's lusting after David will result in the end of their friendship. If Sari's turned to the dark side of parties and boys, she's not going to want to hang out with outcast Jess anymore. It's possible: Sari is hot and stylish. Jess couldn't care less about appearances and being accepted. How will their freshman year turn out?

I loved Jess's voice: so wise, and yet so vulnerable at times. Jess is a protagonist you will want to root for through her difficult journey. ( )