THE LOWDOWN:

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

FIRST IMPRESSION:
Killing someone’s easier than you think. All it takes is decision, aim, and follow-through. Like basketball, only you shouldn’t expect people to leap to their feet and cheer if you hit the free throw.
–ARC paperback edition

SNAPSHOT:

Using old texts and private messages from her cousin Claire, and the diary hidden in the girl’s room, Dinah Powell pieces together her cousin’s final month as Claire’s life hangs in the balance after a suicide attempt. Dinah is an interesting and driven character, with clear and strong motives. Her undercover mission, set at the private high school of the boy who used and abused Claire, is full of intrigue, quirky characters, and forbidden emotions. While she feels justified in retaliating against Brooks Walden, Dinah goes to criminal lengths to avenge her cousin; she should not be seen as a role model on how to deal with abusers.

Dinah’s frequent confrontations with her mother throughout the novel flesh out the story, making it about more than vigilante justice in the computer age. Her supportive father, loyal best friend Tabs, and quick friendships with Abigail and Chandi add much needed positives to what would otherwise have been a near-unbelievable amount of drama surrounding one young woman.

Appropriate for ages 13+. Contains strong language, intense sexual situations, some criminal activities, violence. Deals with sexual assault, suicide, death, chosen family, false impersonation, bullying, and revenge.

Readers would benefit from thoughtful conversation on how to speak out when they see or experience something that makes them uncomfortable, and how to seek justice in abusive situations. For further reading, research on feminism and “the missing stair” is highly encouraged! Open, honest discussion of spotting and preventing rape culture and victim-blaming could greatly improve the lives of young men and women everywhere. 

GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…

– Enjoy psychological thrillers
– Ever felt like only you could set something right 
– Want a compulsive read
– Are a fanatic for revenge stories

THE ESSENTIALS:
YA Contemporary
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published October 8th, 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0385743297)
www.randomhouse.com/book/221369/premeditated-by-josin-l-mcquein

(Review copy provided by Nicole Banholzer at Delacorte Press.)