The Girls (by Amy Goldman Koss)

The novel I've read for this week--The Girls--ties pretty well with the aggression among girls discussed in the "Odd Girl Out" article.
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults and Quick Pick, The Girls depicts girls' struggle between their own conscience and the loyalty to their ringleader. Five girls (Maya, Renee, Darcy, Brianna, Candace) got along pretty well until one Saturday Maya--a girl with Russian lineage--suddenly found out she became an outcast. she was shocked, humiliated, frightened, clueless, and worst of all--friendless.

While other 4 girls had a celebration sleepover at Darcy's house, each had something in their minds about the "Maya thing". Although not knowing the real reason why their leader Candace unexpectedly decided to oust Maya, the blind follower Darcy even made a mean phone call to insult Maya, just to show her loyalty to Candace. However, each girl had their own perspectives about this incident, so each chapter is depicted from different characters' point of view.

Standing in each girl's shoes, readers have a better chance to see how each of them exactly felt when their conscience clashed with the preference and decision of the ringleader. It's time for girls to introspect whether they should show their own agency to "think" and "act" independently while unfairness appear in their friendship.

It is interesting to see how the victim, the perpetrator, the ringleader, and other affiliates each handle the issue of solitutde. Fearing to be left alone, the perpetrator (Darcy) got rid of the vitim from their group to please their ringleader (in fact, she echoes whatever the ringleader says). However, what Darcy didn't see coming was it wasn't what Maya did that matter to Candace, it was the "boring" shadowing deeds in the group that made her eager for a change. Hence, in the end, the perpetrator found herself lost, jealous, and being left alone.