Rival (edition 2011)

I guess I wanted a different ending. ( )

Kathryn and Brooke couldn't be more opposite when it comes to their lives. Kathryn has been more of a wallflower within their high school, active while at the same time not within the spotlight. She focuses on her schoolwork and music in order to help ease the financial burdens placed on her family. On the other hand, Brooke has always been within the limelight at high school, mostly due to her older brothers' presence. But there is an authority that resonates from her that has the entire school in awe of her, though not for what she is most proud of, namely music. If not for music and then a slumber party during their junior year, it's doubtful that their paths would have really crossed, leading to their friendship.

It is when that friendship extends to Brooke's long-time best friend, Chloe, that things begin to weaken due to Kathryn's acceptance into the "A-list" circle and not spending as much time with just Brooke. As Chloe seems to monopolize more of Kathryn's time, Brooke begins to question her relationship with Kathryn. Their strained friendship ultimately culminates in Kathryn doing "something very bad" to Brooke which then leads to a punch in the face in front of the entire A-list at school. And with that punch, Brooke has sent Kathryn back to the outskirts of the student body.

Now, here is where readers might start complaining about how both girls did fairly rotten things to each other, but you have to remember, these are teenage girls. They do stupid things because they are teenagers and they don't know how to handle certain actions, slights, or behaviors. Who didn't want to belong with the "A-list," the popular crowd in high school? Kathryn was just one of those few that wanted to belong, and when she got the chance she did what she could to stay there. Brooke could have explained her feelings to Kathryn about a lot of things or at least tried to be more open, but she chose to go the silent route until it built up so much she exploded. I'm not trying to condone Kathryn's actions or Brooke's inaction rather I'm putting into perspective the reality that Wealer has created, and I do believe she has captured a part of high school life.

What I really liked about both characters is that they possess honest and real voices, each seeing the greener grass on the other side of the fence even after their friendship falls apart. Kathryn and Brooke see what they lack within the other's life and cannot understand why that goodness isn't appreciated, such as Kathryn's loving parents or Brooke's freedom in socializing. But when it comes to music there is no question about how much it means to either of them, and both girls do not hold back in choir.

Readers will definitely see Wealer's own love of music woven into the story, and that was what really drew me to Rival in the first place. The use of musical terminology definitions to set up the tone of the story was a nice opening to each part whether from senior year or junior year. While reading, I couldn't help feeling that if Brooke and Kathryn had just started talking while in choir during their junior year, just the two of them, a lot of heartache and hurt might have been avoided in the long run. With their love of music, one would assume that Brooke might have approached Kathryn to initiate conversation, but perhaps even the high school socialite lacked courage in that regard.

Overall, Wealer delivered a great story of the trials that can occur with relationships in high school through characters that felt real and also managed to grow throughout the story. I think most readers would enjoy Rival, and readers who have a musical background, especially while in high school, will hopefully appreciate the nostalgia as I did. ( )

There are two sides to every story and boy does this book prove it. I was all geared up to completely side with Kathryn because she sounds more like me--shy and not part of a-list crowd, but as the story progressed I felt more and more for Brooke too and her story and voice was able to shine. I feel like I am more able to understand some of the workings of popular crowd and that it's not as shiny as it may seem from the outside.
I also found it enlightening being in both character's heads-what they saw as weaknesses or flaws were admired or never an issue for the other.
Though music is a big part of the story and the character's lives, I feel like everything was realistic and the details, even if unfamiliar, never distracted me or turned me off for the plot or character, instead it made me have a deeper appreciation.
This is a beautifully written contemporary with gripping star characters as well as developed secondary. I highly recommend.

Stage left, Brooke Dempsey. Brooke is pretty, popular, has money and a killer alto voice, to boot. She is the "It" girl that most others worship. If you end up on her radar, you better hope it's because she likes you.

Stage right, Kathryn Pease. Kathryn is a loner, with little money in her college savings account and amazing soprano voice. She's never been on anyone's radar... that is, until Brooke and her friend, Chloe, decide to throw a slumber party.

Kathryn and Brooke become quick friends through their love for music. As Kathryn is sucked into Brooke's world, she's quickly thrown into the world of popularity and parties. She soon realizes it's not all she dreamed it would be, and Brooke learns that not everyone keeps your secrets.

With their friendship suddenly ending in betrayal, Kathryn and Brooke find themselves in a fierce battle. The stakes, the prestigious Blackmore competition. Which girl will reach her dream of becoming a professional singer?

This book sent me right back to high school. The scheming, betraying, lies, secrets, rumors... I felt like I was walking the halls of my school again.

I ultimately felt like I could relate with both characters. When I was a freshman I practically tried it all. Varsity cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, track. I quickly made friends with a lot of upperclassmen due to having four older siblings. I feel like in this sense, I was walking in Brooke's shoes. I wasn't popular, per se, but I was noticed. Classmates would ask about senior boys or if I knew certain people on the athletic teams. My sophomore year I moved to a new state and a much larger high school. This is where I fell into Kathryn's shoes. I practically gave up all athletics and mostly kept to myself. I wasn't very popular and it was hard to make friends. Through out this entire book, I felt like I was transported right back to those days with my fellow classmates.

It was intriguing to read about how the two girls became best friends through their love of music and wanted to help each other succeed in that department, to becoming bitter rivals and competing against each other for the ultimate prize. The drama was very believable. I felt bad for Kathryn who really only wanted to make friends and feel special. She didn't quite understand what exactly caused Brooke to react the way she did, but she had to deal with the repercussions and practically became a leper. It was very sad. At times I was disgusted with Brooke who thought she could do anything and get her way because she was popular. I didn't like Brooke's other friends who were shallow and clearly only used Brooke for her limelight, although she couldn't see it.

Apart from the bits of profanities here and there, this book was an interesting read. It made me question if I could go back, would I change some of the decisions I made in high school? Would I have been friends with this person or cut off all ties with that person? Would I have said the things I did or tried harder instead of giving up in some circumstances? A thought-provoking read. ( )

RIVAL, by Sara Bennett Wealer, is a realistic battle between two girls from different social spectrums. Their common love for singing bring them together junior year to become best friends. But peer pressure and jealousy weave into this friendship that ends in a black eye and a tarnished reputation. This is the story of senior year and a competition that these girls would do anything to win.

Wealer went all out girl-fight in this book. Misunderstandings and social pressure forced the destruction of the friendship between Brooke and Kathryn. Wealer set up the tall and popular Brooke against the petite and shy Kathryn. Can you guess who came out on top of the social pyramid?

Brooke was the typical Queen Bee of this high school. Her attitude and influence on the student body kept her reputation successful. One difference from other sterotypes was the fact she was in choir. Her dream was to become a famous singer and she would stop at nothing to get there. For as much as Brooke ruined Kathryn's life at school, I liked getting into her head and understanding her motivations and thoughts.

Kathryn's connection with Brooke was initally strong because of their love of singing and soon extended to other parts of their lives. These girls were two peas in a pod. I felt terrible after Kathryn was outcast but the reasons were equally both girls faults. Social pressure in high school can make people do crazy things to stay afloat and Wealer made a good point of showing that.

I liked the structure of the book in how Wealer flashed between junior and senior year. It kept me reading so that I could understand the rift between these once-best friends. I also liked the singing definitions that signaled different sections of the book and what was to come. Overall, a great YA contemporary book. Those who have a fondness for the arts would especially like it. ( )