Girl in a Bad Place

Gr 8 Up—This novel tackles important issues of manipulation and safety with a fast-paced story that could be ripped from the headlines. Cara has been organizing Mailee's life since middle school, when she created their Book of Life Goals. Now it's the summer before senior year, and Mailee isn't sure why things are changing. When Mailee and Cara get an unexpected invitation to visit The Haven, a commune in the mountains, Cara is determined to go. The road up the mountain is treacherous, and Mailee wonders if this was such a good idea. When they finally arrive, the leader of the group, Firehorse, comes out to welcome them, except Mailee doesn't feel welcome at all. Firehorse lets Mailee know he doesn't appreciate her aura of skepticism. Cara enjoys being in nature, listening to Firehorse, and the company of the "Colonists" who live at the Haven. She gets more involved with the commune and pulls away from her old friends and interests. When Cara invites Mailee to her initiation ceremony to join the group, Mailee has to decide how far she is willing to go to support a friend. A too-tidy ending strains credulity, but this plot will keep readers turning pages until the end.