Melody Carlson Harsh Pink

Harsh Pink

Melody Carlson

Th1nk (NavPress), Aug 2007, $12.99

ISBN: 9781576839522

Upon moving from Boston to Colorado Springs so she and her workaholic mom can take care of her Alzheimer's inflicted grandma, Reagan Mercer hopes to fit in at Belmont High School, which she will attend. To do so she believes her best chance is to hopefully make the varsity cheerleading squad, which she does. However, her success means popular Kendra Farnsworth failed to make the team. Kendra warns Reagan that she will regret taking her spot.

Reagan makes friends with cheerleading peer Jocelyn Matthews while also trying to make the social scene. Surprisingly Kendra and her minion accept her as one of them so Reagan ignores her first Colorado friend geek Andrea Lynch. However, the newcomer will soon learn the cost of becoming part of the in-crowd as an alcoholic binge causes a near tragedy.

The TrueColors teen series final tale is an insightful entry that focuses on the cost of giving up one's values to join the inner popularity circle. Reagan is a terrific protagonist while the other key high school students are fully developed whether they are the in keepers of malice, a cheerleader, or a geek. Still this is Reagan's lesson learned that everyone wants to be belong, but people must consider whether the price is worth paying.

Harriet Klausner