View source for She's So Dead To Us by Kieran Scott

{{infobox1
|title=She's So Dead To Us
|author=Kieran Scott
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Teens
|summary=From the author of the ''Private'' series what looks like the first in another series to keep the younger end of the teenage girl market enchanted.  It's a great holiday read with characters which live on in your mind after you finished the book.
|rating=4
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=288
|publisher=Simon & Schuster Children's Books
|date=August 2010
|isbn=978-0857070449
|cover=0857070444
|aznuk=0857070444
|aznus=1416999515
}}

Ally Ryan had not expected to return to Orchard Hill – ever.  Less than two years previously she and her family had moved out in a hurry when her father’s business dealings had caused serious financial problems in the local community.  But her mother has a job in the local school and they move into a small house and try to rebuild their lives.  Abby wasn’t exactly expecting a warm welcome but she was surprised when so many of her so called ‘friends’ cut her dead and it’s made obvious that she now lives on the wrong side of town.

Abby used to live on The Crest – where the rich people live.  They’re known as the Cresties and everyone else is called a ‘norm’.  That’s short for ‘normal’ but don’t go getting the idea that normal is a good thing.  The cresties are used to having a new car every year, membership at the country club and a summer house and look down on people who don’t have that sort of lifestyle.  There are some exceptions though – living in Ally’s old house – in fact in her old bedroom – is Jake Graydon.  He’s handsome, wealthy and rather taken by Ally.  The trouble is that he’s a member of the clique that’s cutting Ally – and he can’t have his bread buttered on both sides.

Soon after they first moved away from Orchard Hills Ally’s father abandoned the family and they’ve no idea where he is.  Ally’s Mum is ready to start dating again, but Ally hasn’t quite moved on that far.  She’s got far too many demons of her own to deal with and none of he problems are of her making – or are they?

It’s a good story, told alternately from Ally and Jake's point of view with characters you’re really going to enjoy.  I loved Ally with her down-to-earth common sense and determination to make the most of what she has.  She’s not a moaner - and you could forgive her if she was.  When you finish the book you’ll find yourself wondering how she’s doing – and I suspect that we’ll be hearing more from Orchard Hills in the future as the book doesn’t exactly end leaving you feeling unsatisfied but it is a little bit of a cliff-hanger and you’re going to want to know what happens next.

It’s a good summer (or holiday) read from the author you probably know best as [[:Category:Kate Brian|Kate Brian]] who has given us the [[Private by Kate Brian|Private]] series.  I’d like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

It’s a great book for the early teens and for more in a similar vein try [[Million Dollar Mates by Cathy Hopkins]] or [[My Life on TV by Kimberly Greene]].

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