Girl on the Other Side

Author: Deborah Kerbel
Publisher: Dunburn Press
ISBN: 978-1-55488-443-8
Source: Publisher for Review
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Synopsis from book
Tabby Freeman and Lora Froggett go to the same school, but they live in totally opposite worlds. Tabby is rich, pretty, and the most popular girl in her class. But behind closed doors, her 'perfect' life is rapidly coming apart at the seams.

On the other side, Lora is smart, timid, and the constant target of bullies. While struggling to survive the piranha-infested halls of her school, she becomes increasingly nervous that somebody might discover the unbearable truth about what's been happening to her family.

Despite their differences, Tabby and Lora have something in common - they're both harbouring dark secrets and a lot of pain. Although they've never been friends, a series of strange events causes their lives to crash together in ways neither could have ever imagined. And when the dust finally settles and all their secrets are forced out into the light, will the girls be saved or destroyed?

My Review
For Tabby and Lora life could not be any more different. The girls are complete opposites in every way except that they are lonely, unsatisfied, scared and harboring secrets about the truth of their lives. This book is 152 pages of wonderful reading. I was easily able to relate and attach to the characters. The book tackles the topic of bullying and brings to light the insensitivity others have for those who they bully. I thought Deborah did a wonderful job of tackling this topic in a direct and meaningful way. By the end of the novel you’ll wish you had never made fun of someone, understanding the pain and hurt on the other side that arrives with words and actions.

I loved the flow of this book. It switches between the two girls each telling a little of their story at a time. I was hooked from the very beginning as the author introduces the story with a bathroom scene and then follows the scene up with events leading to that day. Once the reader is caught up, the story continues until its end. “Girl on the Other Side” is a thought provoking, insightful and entertaining read. This young adult novel is a must read for females entering sixth/seventh grade to those all ready in high school. It makes one think about how their actions can affect others whom they know nothing about. The author did a wonderful job writing this book and I am happy to recommend it to others, especially girls ages thirteen to sixteen years.