Review: We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

We Are The Goldens by Dana Reinhardt, Published May 27, 20014, Random House Children's Books,  YA Fiction $10.19 Kindle on Amazon

Nell and Layla are sisters that share a secret and a love for soccer. Layla is older by one year but ahead in school by two. Nell is an incoming freshman beginning to realize that her sister who she was so close to is becoming distant and secrative. Nell makes the soccer team but is never quite sure if she earned it or if she got on because she is Layla's sister. Then you add Mr. Barr to the mix and all the rumors of him being involved with students inthe past, a different on each year no less. This year the rumors are slow to start.

Layla lies to her parents on numerous times and like good sister, once Nell puts two and two together, she covers. But once she is included in the secret and the lying, she questions everything, causing Layla to distance herself further. Nell wants to talk to her sister about things going on in her life but she can't. This makes Nell think she needs to tell someone what is going on with Layla.

This book is written like it's a diary or a letter from Nell to her sister in explanation of her actions. I loved their interactions as sisters and how they were typical sibling reactions. While the subject matter is mostly a student involved with a teacher, it also focuses on how rumors can effect lives and how others choose to believe them or not. I look forward to sharing this book with my teen daughters and discussing it with them. While I know it is fiction, it looks like it will be a great tool to discuss these types of situations with them.