Wealer, S.B. (2011). Rival. New York, NY: HarperTeen. 336 pages. 9780061827624. Young adult.

Brooke had been looking for a friend like Katherine, a music geek just like her.  As Katherine became more popular at Douglas High, thanks to Brooke’s influence, jealousy split them apart.  Now in their senior year, their friendship ended with a punch.  The two continue their bitter rivalry as both prom and a prestigious singing contest approach.  Sarah Bennett Wealer uses the rivalry to meditate on the meaning of true friendship, competition, and the price of popularity.  She also uses her music background to add credibility to her story.  Moreover, the semi-soapy plot lets the two girls hash out the causes and ramifications of their “cat-fight.”  Both girls pay the price for their feud, and their growing maturity throughout the book makes for a fun, suspenseful, and libretto-worthy tale.

Oh and PS . . . She's from Manhattan, KS!