Briarcliff Prep

Praise

* Brimming with a wealth of pop culture references—Belle dreams of modeling her career after “Beyoncé’s dance captain”—and told via a limited omniscient viewpoint that renders Avi’s life and the people around her in expertly nuanced detail, this powerful debut compassionately tackles themes of class privilege and domestic violence. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jas Perry, KT Literary. (Nov.) —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

* Peppins’ debut explores a variety of themes, illustrating sisterhood, positive and non-positive models of parenting and relationships, and how those can be affected by violence, abuse, and secrets. The third-person narrative effectively takes on gender and race in a realistic setting with characters who all feel real and true. Peppins treats her characters and topic carefully, gracefully taking on the themes and using the boarding school’s classes to emphasize the importance of Black writers and icons in helping young people bolster their own understanding of the strength of their identity and community. A fresh and thoughtful take on the boarding school setting. — Kristina Pino —Booklist (starred review)

Debut author Peppins’ thoughtful, realistic writing shows the alienation that victims of domestic violence endure along with the impact it can have on those who love them but have a limited ability to bring about real change. Through limited omniscient narration, readers enjoy a detailed account of Avi’s life at an HBBS…. Many people and subjects significant to Black culture are woven into the story and will spark recognition for many readers. A necessary story, full of emotion and with a hopeful ending. (author’s note) (Fiction. 14-18) —Kirkus

Peppins draws from personal experience to create this authentic high school experience in a place where most of the characters are Black or of color…. Peppins tackles the issue of teen domestic abuse thoughtfully, in a way that will feel authentic to readers. VERDICT This debut novel is very character driven and will make a great addition for collections that need realistic ­fiction with strong worldbuilding and character ­development.–Helen Prince —School Library Journal