Horn Book

In a familiar setup reminiscent of The Breakfast Club, four teens have little in common other than the shared fact that they've all been expelled from school. A jock, an artist, a so-called mean girl, and the class clown form unlikely friendships as they try to exonerate one another. The coauthors' conventional but enjoyable plot features elements of humor, romance, and suspense.

ALA Booklist (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Sasha, Theo, Jude, and Parker have all been expelled because of a scandalous picture that was posted on Theo's anonymous, antischool Twitter account. Theo won't stand for the injustice knows that he and his fellow classmates were wrongfully accused, and he intends to find out who wanted to ruin their futures. But as he dives deeper into his documentary investigation, he realizes the reason behind their expulsion is much darker than he could have ever imagined. Patterson and Raymond succeed in creating a Breakfast Club like novel for a new generation, filled with mysteries and twists right up until the very end. Told from Theo's point of view, the four different stories of Theo, Sasha, Jude, and Parker are expertly woven together and peppered with allusions to popular culture that teens will enjoy. Though the ending of the book seems a little rushed, fans of Pretty Little Liars will be hooked in this drama, which takes full advantage of Patterson's trademark short chapters and rapid pace.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Patterson and Raymond (The Lost) again join forces to produce a contemporary novel with a little something for everyone. Combining tragedy, mystery, romance, and amateur sleuthing, the book shows how four teens expelled from their high school form unlikely friendships while trying to get to the bottom of an incident involving a compromising photo. Theo Foster, the editor of the school newspaper, is accused of posting the picture of football star Parker via an anonymous Twitter account, but he is determined to prove his innocence. Joining Theo on his mission are his fellow expulsion victims: school mascot Jude, beautiful and unpredictable Sasha (whom Theo has loved from afar for years), and Parker himself, who now attends a private school. During the course of Theo-s investigation, which involves filmed interviews, he discovers that Sasha and Parker are more complex than they seem and, like him, are struggling with problems that go beyond getting kicked out of school. Reminiscent of The Breakfast Club, the story challenges stereotyped perspectives of teens while providing clues to the characters- motives and secret conflicts. Ages 15-up. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 9 Up-hen someone anonymously posts a compromising picture on Twitter, four students' lives will be forever changed. Theo, Sasha, Jude, and Parker are now expelled from school for all the wrong reasons. This unlikely group of high schoolers put their differences aside, and find comfort in one another's company. Theo is set on finding out who sabotaged his and his friend's lives. Throughout this investigation, the teen uncovers more than he anticipated. With all of this fragile information at their disposal, the group of expellees needs to figure out what to do with their newfound knowledge. This fast-paced and suspenseful young adult novel is full of humor, romance, loss, and enlightenment. At times the plot is slightly rushed and underdeveloped, but it doesn't take away from the engagement of the story. This book contains some mild language and mature situations. VERDICT Patterson and Raymond don't disappoint. A good purchase for young adult shelves.Amanda LeMay, Neptune Township Public Library, NJ