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Lessons from a Dead Girl
An unflinching story of a troubled friendship — and one girl’s struggle to come to terms with secrets and shame and find her own power to heal.
Leah Greene is dead. For Laine, knowing what really happened and the awful feeling that she is, in some way, responsible set her on a journey of painful self-discovery. Yes, she wished for this. She hated Leah that much. Hated her for all the times in the closet, when Leah made her do those things. They were just practicing, Leah said. But why did Leah choose her? Was she special, or just easy to control? And why didn’t Laine make it stop sooner? In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laine is left to explore the devastating lessons Leah taught her, find some meaning in them, and decide whether she can forgive Leah and, ultimately, herself.
Leah Greene is dead. For Laine, knowing what really happened and the awful feeling that she is, in some way, responsible set her on a journey of painful self-discovery. Yes, she wished for this. She hated Leah that much. Hated her for all the times in the closet, when Leah made her do those things. They were just practicing, Leah said. But why did Leah choose her? Was she special, or just easy to control? And why didn’t Laine make it stop sooner? In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laine is left to explore the devastating lessons Leah taught her, find some meaning in them, and decide whether she can forgive Leah and, ultimately, herself.
215 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2007
100 people are currently reading
17376 people want to read
About the author
Jo Knowles
11 books769 followersHi! I'm the author of several books for kids and teens. including Ear Worm!,Meant To Be, and See You at Harry's. I'm available for school, library and book club visits either in person or via Zoom. For more info, please visit www.joknowles.com Thanks! :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 607 reviews
May 15, 2019
4.5 "riveting, accurate and astonishing" stars
2015 Honorable Mention Read
As some of you know I have a love-hate relationship with YA books. However, this was recommended to me a few months back by a young woman I befriended on the streetcar Initially we would only talk about music and film but later also spoke about books. I cannot wait to tell her next time I see her about how much this book impressed me.
At first glance this book looks like a Gone Girl thriller with lesbian overtones for young women aged 16 to 24. This book was so much more. This story was about real issues that unfortunately many of our girls (and boys) face on a day to day basis and the huge tragedies, psychic pain and damage to others that sexual abuse by adults can cause. This book also highlights bullying, sexual confusion, self-esteem and the development of mental health issues (in this case borderline personality disorder-not named in this book but surmised by me.)
I was taken aback by how much Ms. Knowles understands child and adolescent psychology, group dynamics, the influence of invalidation on the psyche and the complexity of emotions that hurt children and adolescents can experience in their day to day lives.
The story revolves around the deteriorating friendship between two girls and the secrets they hold about themselves and each other and the downward spiral they both take because of the hurt they endure and the damage they do to each other. This was done in a completely realistic way and interweaved with this were themes of self-esteem, need for connection and belonging and overall the need for unconditional love. The book unravels with dark clarity and a pathos that often brought tears to my eyes and compassion to my heart. Adults need to keep a close and loving eye on their children to help prevent some of these horrible things from happening.
My one gentle suggestion to the author would be...at the end of the book provide some education on the condition of borderline personality disorder, self-harm, bullying and sexual abuse as well as resources for assistance so that if any young person that needs help will be able to reach out and access it. It is important to note that the mental health issue here is not clinical depression. Many people with borderline personality disorder will have episodes of depression but that most people who experience clinical depression do not have borderline personality disorder (I will get off my soap box now.)
As well if you recommend this book to any young person please be around to support them for if they have experienced any of the issues in the book they may find it psychologically de-stabilizing.
2015 Honorable Mention Read
As some of you know I have a love-hate relationship with YA books. However, this was recommended to me a few months back by a young woman I befriended on the streetcar Initially we would only talk about music and film but later also spoke about books. I cannot wait to tell her next time I see her about how much this book impressed me.
At first glance this book looks like a Gone Girl thriller with lesbian overtones for young women aged 16 to 24. This book was so much more. This story was about real issues that unfortunately many of our girls (and boys) face on a day to day basis and the huge tragedies, psychic pain and damage to others that sexual abuse by adults can cause. This book also highlights bullying, sexual confusion, self-esteem and the development of mental health issues (in this case borderline personality disorder-not named in this book but surmised by me.)
I was taken aback by how much Ms. Knowles understands child and adolescent psychology, group dynamics, the influence of invalidation on the psyche and the complexity of emotions that hurt children and adolescents can experience in their day to day lives.
The story revolves around the deteriorating friendship between two girls and the secrets they hold about themselves and each other and the downward spiral they both take because of the hurt they endure and the damage they do to each other. This was done in a completely realistic way and interweaved with this were themes of self-esteem, need for connection and belonging and overall the need for unconditional love. The book unravels with dark clarity and a pathos that often brought tears to my eyes and compassion to my heart. Adults need to keep a close and loving eye on their children to help prevent some of these horrible things from happening.
My one gentle suggestion to the author would be...at the end of the book provide some education on the condition of borderline personality disorder, self-harm, bullying and sexual abuse as well as resources for assistance so that if any young person that needs help will be able to reach out and access it. It is important to note that the mental health issue here is not clinical depression. Many people with borderline personality disorder will have episodes of depression but that most people who experience clinical depression do not have borderline personality disorder (I will get off my soap box now.)
As well if you recommend this book to any young person please be around to support them for if they have experienced any of the issues in the book they may find it psychologically de-stabilizing.
August 31, 2009
This book...undoubtedly changed my life. I wrote the author and thanked her very much for being the only author I've ever seen to have the guts to write about this subject, because I'll tell you right now, this happens. I'm not even ashamed to tell you that for awhile I WAS Laine. I read this book and thought someone had been stalking me...lol. No, but it's not funny. It's serious and it's abuse and it really messes with you. My boyfriend even knows that for a couple of weeks while/after I read this book I was really weird. It helped me deal with things I didn't even know I wasn't dealing with. You have no idea how amazing it is to go through something so horrible and then think its your fault/or you're the only freak on the planet who this has happened to and then suddenly find out it is amazingly common. I had a friend who'd had the same thing happen but it was by the same person that did it to ME so of course I thought I was just weird. I've never even heard of this happening between peers, it's so strange. It's like one of the world's best kept secrets...but why would anyone want to keep it a secret? It's so strange. But I'm not sure what other people think of it, but I know I'm a better person because of Jo Knowles' bravery in writing about a subject few people knew existed.
February 24, 2008
Have you ever had to keep a secret? One that you would not know the outcome of--what if they laugh--its my fault--what if I get in trouble--what is they get in trouble? Laine is faced just with that issue. Leah (Laine’s “BFF”) has a new idea one day to ‘practice’ things that they will do when they get older.
As time grows on the ‘practicing’ continues--and the secret is kept. Laine must decided for herself if she is going to tell the secret or hold in it forever and will she ever forgive Leah.
I must admit when I received this book I was very skeptical about the content. However the book was rather addicting--The fact that Knowles tells all parts of the story and not just the main characters truths is satisfying. Children are abused every day by adults, and you always hear of that but when a child abuses another it is swept under the radar.
Knowles gets the points out and tells the story of a young girl in the situation of child / child abuse. Not only is Laine the only one being effected in the book. Knowles tells the story of the unheard child.
As time grows on the ‘practicing’ continues--and the secret is kept. Laine must decided for herself if she is going to tell the secret or hold in it forever and will she ever forgive Leah.
I must admit when I received this book I was very skeptical about the content. However the book was rather addicting--The fact that Knowles tells all parts of the story and not just the main characters truths is satisfying. Children are abused every day by adults, and you always hear of that but when a child abuses another it is swept under the radar.
Knowles gets the points out and tells the story of a young girl in the situation of child / child abuse. Not only is Laine the only one being effected in the book. Knowles tells the story of the unheard child.
October 1, 2009
i read this book and it only took me a week to read it. it was not my normal books i read about vampires but it is still really good.
November 14, 2012
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn't understand Leah, or why Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn't understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn't understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As their English teacher told them once, you only hate what you don't understand.
Now that Leah Greene has died, Laine forces herself to try to understand Leah, and the things that Leah taught her about friendship and secrets. Friends are forever, Leah told her. Permanent just like the ink that Leah used to stake her claim on Laine's hand back when they were young. Laine must now face the impact of what "forever" really means, and how it has affected her own aspects of the world.
Jo Knowles has penned a stunning book that takes an introspective look at the scars of childhood abuse at the hands of a child's peers. Laine's experiences will have a profound impact on anyone who has ever wondered about the dynamics of child sociology, and how the damaging effects of abuse resonate from the original victims. For the mature young adult.
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn't understand Leah, or why Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn't understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn't understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As their English teacher told them once, you only hate what you don't understand.
Now that Leah Greene has died, Laine forces herself to try to understand Leah, and the things that Leah taught her about friendship and secrets. Friends are forever, Leah told her. Permanent just like the ink that Leah used to stake her claim on Laine's hand back when they were young. Laine must now face the impact of what "forever" really means, and how it has affected her own aspects of the world.
Jo Knowles has penned a stunning book that takes an introspective look at the scars of childhood abuse at the hands of a child's peers. Laine's experiences will have a profound impact on anyone who has ever wondered about the dynamics of child sociology, and how the damaging effects of abuse resonate from the original victims. For the mature young adult.
June 7, 2009
Ugh. This story had such potential. I think the book raises serious issues that are so important to deal with, but oy, this story doesn't deal with them, it just lays them out there and leaves more questions than answers.
I stopped caring about the characters. Laine, the narrator, is so self-deprecating and insecure... and she never seems to change, which is maddening. Relationships are contrived - I can't imagine a lot of these scenes EVER happening. Worst of all for me was that Leah, the antagonist, has no consistency in her motivation. She's all over the place. I think she's written as this one-dimensional character just to allow the main character someone to react to. All the characters seem one-dimensional to me.
Incorrect grammar is like a dissonant chord. It may not bother others, but it bothers me.
I stopped caring about the characters. Laine, the narrator, is so self-deprecating and insecure... and she never seems to change, which is maddening. Relationships are contrived - I can't imagine a lot of these scenes EVER happening. Worst of all for me was that Leah, the antagonist, has no consistency in her motivation. She's all over the place. I think she's written as this one-dimensional character just to allow the main character someone to react to. All the characters seem one-dimensional to me.
Incorrect grammar is like a dissonant chord. It may not bother others, but it bothers me.
April 2, 2008
I wish more people would read this book. This was a hard book to read at times. It is powerful and I found I had to put it down to check what I was feeling and come back to it later. Surprisingly I only felt that 'teenage drama' once while reading. I think Ms. Knowles has done a brilliant job with a very difficult subject. Wonderful writing too. I am looking forward to "Jumping off Swings" in 2009. You should check out her blog, her writing there cracks me up!
January 2, 2013
This is yet another young adult book which deals with complex issues.
Laine is shy, unpopular and, unlike some in her high school, she is not exceedingly attractive. Thus, when Leah Greene who is rich, very popular and incredibly beautiful lures Laine into her inner circle, she loves the attention and the feeling of fitting in with the right click. Laine soon learns that there is a very high emotional price to pay.
Manipulated and emotionally abused by Leah, Laine is fearful of ending the relationship. Leah has a unique way of pulling people in via making them share secrets. While Laine longs to be free of Leah, she is both physically and emotionally entangled.
The author shows the complexity of bullying and of people who are unable to break free because of fear of what others will say or think. In addition, the author shows the complexity of sexual abuse. Because Laine was often sexually abused by a male friend of her father's, her anger and loathing was aimed at others. Because she was a victim, she in turn victimized.
As Leah's emotions increasingly harm others and herself, Laine struggles with wanting to help and wanting to avoid.
While this is not an easy read, I do recommend it.
Laine is shy, unpopular and, unlike some in her high school, she is not exceedingly attractive. Thus, when Leah Greene who is rich, very popular and incredibly beautiful lures Laine into her inner circle, she loves the attention and the feeling of fitting in with the right click. Laine soon learns that there is a very high emotional price to pay.
Manipulated and emotionally abused by Leah, Laine is fearful of ending the relationship. Leah has a unique way of pulling people in via making them share secrets. While Laine longs to be free of Leah, she is both physically and emotionally entangled.
The author shows the complexity of bullying and of people who are unable to break free because of fear of what others will say or think. In addition, the author shows the complexity of sexual abuse. Because Laine was often sexually abused by a male friend of her father's, her anger and loathing was aimed at others. Because she was a victim, she in turn victimized.
As Leah's emotions increasingly harm others and herself, Laine struggles with wanting to help and wanting to avoid.
While this is not an easy read, I do recommend it.
November 14, 2008
Laine is an ordinary teenager with a gut-wrenching secret that haunts her from the very first page of LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL and haunts readers long after the last page is turned. The "dead girl" in the title is Laine's friend Leah -- a friend who steals away Laine's childhood through an abusive relationship that escalates so painfully that you want desperately to step into the book and shout, "NO!"
This book is definitely an older YA -- one I'd recommend for high school rather than middle school readers. It made me feel anxious and uncomfortable, but it also made me reflect on the nature of friendship and kids -- why some of our kids' friendships can become so frighteningly destructive, and why they don't turn away.
What makes this book remarkable is the way is portrays the fear, guilt, and confusion of abuse, without completely demonizing the antagonist. At the end of this gut-wrenching story, there remains room for forgiveness and for hope. LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL has a rare gift of being a compelling page-turner and an important novel all at once -- a book that teens will tear through in a sitting or two and then think about for years.
This book is definitely an older YA -- one I'd recommend for high school rather than middle school readers. It made me feel anxious and uncomfortable, but it also made me reflect on the nature of friendship and kids -- why some of our kids' friendships can become so frighteningly destructive, and why they don't turn away.
What makes this book remarkable is the way is portrays the fear, guilt, and confusion of abuse, without completely demonizing the antagonist. At the end of this gut-wrenching story, there remains room for forgiveness and for hope. LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL has a rare gift of being a compelling page-turner and an important novel all at once -- a book that teens will tear through in a sitting or two and then think about for years.
March 23, 2016
Hard to put down. This story makes you want to bear witness to Laine's difficult and abusive relationship with her "BFF," Leah. The shame and guilt both about what happened between them, the confusing thoughts she had about it, and her fear that she's responsible for Leah's death makes for an interesting, but difficult read.
Secondary characters like Sam and Leah's mom creeped me out so much. How can you tell your pre-pubescent daughter "if you got it, flaunt it" and never see what's right in front of you with your own child? Did she even care? Or was she just proud that people thought her daughters were beautiful? Why brag that a waiter thought Leah was 18 on her 13th birthday and couldn't take his eyes off her? I just can't even....
Secondary characters like Sam and Leah's mom creeped me out so much. How can you tell your pre-pubescent daughter "if you got it, flaunt it" and never see what's right in front of you with your own child? Did she even care? Or was she just proud that people thought her daughters were beautiful? Why brag that a waiter thought Leah was 18 on her 13th birthday and couldn't take his eyes off her? I just can't even....
December 7, 2013
You can all read the summary at the top, or any of the other numerous reviews, so I'm going to skip the summary and go straight to what I thought...
WOW! I plowed through this book in just a couple of hours, and my head is still spinning. I decided to read the book because I've offered it as a choice the past two years for Banned Books Week projects, but hadn't yet read it. I thought it might behoove me to find out just how this book ended up on the list in the first place before I gave it to too many other students. I guess I can see why it was challenged, but I cannot honestly say that I would have qualms about high school students reading it.
My gut reaction was That was an okay book. I'm not sure the plot or characters were overly believable, and I got a little tired of Laine's whining, but not a bad read. I think I liked "Jumping Off Swings" better. But then, I thought about it a little more and I realized... who am I to say the plot or characters weren't believable?!? I have been blessed my whole life to never go through anything like Leah or Laine went through. I have no idea WHAT I would do if I was abused as an elementary student, had a "best friend" who was abusing me, or had a deep dark secret that I wanted kept at all costs. I might react EXACTLY like Leah or Laine. Thank God I won't ever have to find out!
What I also began to realize is that this book could be quite powerful for high school students. It could help survivors of abuse find a kindred spirit, model what REAL friendship looks like, and teach the dangers of drug and alcohol use. It's real and honest and lays everything out there. And that's what high school students crave. THANK YOU, Ms. Knowles, for time and again writing honestly and openly about the real, hard issues that our teens are facing today, especially the girls. Not only do your books help me prove to students that there is stuff out there worth reading, but they give voice to the real thoughts and fear of today's youth!
WOW! I plowed through this book in just a couple of hours, and my head is still spinning. I decided to read the book because I've offered it as a choice the past two years for Banned Books Week projects, but hadn't yet read it. I thought it might behoove me to find out just how this book ended up on the list in the first place before I gave it to too many other students. I guess I can see why it was challenged, but I cannot honestly say that I would have qualms about high school students reading it.
My gut reaction was That was an okay book. I'm not sure the plot or characters were overly believable, and I got a little tired of Laine's whining, but not a bad read. I think I liked "Jumping Off Swings" better. But then, I thought about it a little more and I realized... who am I to say the plot or characters weren't believable?!? I have been blessed my whole life to never go through anything like Leah or Laine went through. I have no idea WHAT I would do if I was abused as an elementary student, had a "best friend" who was abusing me, or had a deep dark secret that I wanted kept at all costs. I might react EXACTLY like Leah or Laine. Thank God I won't ever have to find out!
What I also began to realize is that this book could be quite powerful for high school students. It could help survivors of abuse find a kindred spirit, model what REAL friendship looks like, and teach the dangers of drug and alcohol use. It's real and honest and lays everything out there. And that's what high school students crave. THANK YOU, Ms. Knowles, for time and again writing honestly and openly about the real, hard issues that our teens are facing today, especially the girls. Not only do your books help me prove to students that there is stuff out there worth reading, but they give voice to the real thoughts and fear of today's youth!
November 20, 2014
Lessons From a Dead Girl is a coming-of-age story with some dark themes: sexual abuse, self-mutilation, and drug addiction, to name a few. This book tells the story of Laine, a shy, quiet, unpopular girl who is befriended by the most popular girl in school, a rich and beautiful girl named Leah. The two are inseparable, despite the disfunctionality of their friendship. Leah is often cruel and manipulative to Laine and pressures her into "experimenting" with her in the closet of Laine' s room, an act that makes Laine feel dirty and confused. It's obvious to the reader that Leah is a victim of sexual abuse, but Laine and her parents seem oblivious. By the time Leah reaches high school, she continues to spiral out of control with self destructive behavior. In their later teen years, Leah and Laine are no longer friends, but Laine is still damaged by their friendship. She is still afraid and confused and while she is relieved to be free from Leah, she is still troubled by the rumors that Leah tried to kill herself...
It's obvious by the title of the book that there is a dead girl in this story, so I'm sure you can guess what happens here...
Lessons From a Dead Girl is a perfect example of how someone can appear to have everything when their scars and pain are just hidden deep below the surface. It was sad, disturbing, and well-written, but it was too depressing to be enjoyable.
It's obvious by the title of the book that there is a dead girl in this story, so I'm sure you can guess what happens here...
Lessons From a Dead Girl is a perfect example of how someone can appear to have everything when their scars and pain are just hidden deep below the surface. It was sad, disturbing, and well-written, but it was too depressing to be enjoyable.
April 3, 2015
This one has been sitting on my shelf for a long time at the beginning and the all whole way through Leah was so bossy Towards Laine and when they were at the cinemas with Jeffrey she decided to take him away from Laine she was never a very nice towards Laine I got it mate I was actually looking forward to this book wait let me down I really didn't like it for that I only give it one star
February 16, 2024
This book hurt my brain. It lays out a lot of issues but just leaves them at that.
February 2, 2025
Fulfilled the popsugar reading challenge prompt #8 - book with less than 250 pages
August 31, 2019
This book is entirely about child sexual abuse, both because Leah has been abused by a family friend and because Leah sexually abuses Laine, the narrator, in turn. Huge trigger warning to anyone on my friends list who might be reading this review.
The good: This feels like a really important topic to have fiction about, and when I read the summary I was wondering why it feels so underexplored. I suppose because it's so disturbing, but I imagine this happens to many kids and teens who don't have the words for it, or who struggle as Laine does with shame. I'm glad Knowles had the courage to write this, especially because it handles the sexual abuse without being lurid and manages to explore gaslighting as well. (Leah, when confronted, constantly turns Laine's questions about their experiences, and her feelings about her own abuse, back on her.)
The bad: As an adult reader, I grew uncomfortable with the way the story was being resolved as it went on.
This is a well-written book that deals with a subject kids and teens absolutely might need to be explored, but I really wish it had taken different turns than it did. Even fifty pages more showing Laine recovering and healing from her experiences would have been appreciated. I finished the book discomfited about how little Laine still understood about what had happened and how much trauma she was still dealing with without a proper outlet. With a book that takes on a subject this rough, that's not a good way to be feeling by the end of it.
The good: This feels like a really important topic to have fiction about, and when I read the summary I was wondering why it feels so underexplored. I suppose because it's so disturbing, but I imagine this happens to many kids and teens who don't have the words for it, or who struggle as Laine does with shame. I'm glad Knowles had the courage to write this, especially because it handles the sexual abuse without being lurid and manages to explore gaslighting as well. (Leah, when confronted, constantly turns Laine's questions about their experiences, and her feelings about her own abuse, back on her.)
The bad: As an adult reader, I grew uncomfortable with the way the story was being resolved as it went on.
This is a well-written book that deals with a subject kids and teens absolutely might need to be explored, but I really wish it had taken different turns than it did. Even fifty pages more showing Laine recovering and healing from her experiences would have been appreciated. I finished the book discomfited about how little Laine still understood about what had happened and how much trauma she was still dealing with without a proper outlet. With a book that takes on a subject this rough, that's not a good way to be feeling by the end of it.
November 9, 2018
In 'Lessons From A Dead Girl', the friendship between Laine and Leah starts off strong and sweet only to gradually become the very thing that haunts the former. After Leah's untimely death, Laine reflects on the series of events that finally led to that life-changing moment.
This book featured several heavy subjects such as abuse (sexual and emotional), homosexuality, bullying and suicide. However, none of them were fully delved into, hence this story lacked the emotional punch and rawness which it desperately needed. There was too much telling and not enough showing. There were implications and revelations yet everything was on surface level without the depth that would have made this story impactful and unforgettable.
The characters were painfully one-dimensional without any growth or believability. Leah fit into the stereotypical mould of a beautiful, rich and popular character with dark secrets. One moment she was nice to Laine, the next she was mocking her or violating her. I found her to be completely unlikeable and even more so when she finally told Laine what had happened to her. It was hard to sympathize with her because she basically admitted to .
Meanwhile, Laine was exasperating as she constantly remained "friends" with Leah despite feeling uncomfortable and unhappy. Throughout the book, she kept on asking why Leah treated her so badly only to actually give her the time of day and get derided repeatedly. But does she ever learn? No points for guessing. I understand it's not that easy to cut someone out of your life but come on. Laine wasn't exactly dumb - she knew Leah was toxic yet she gave her many chances.
The only thing that could top Leah's awfulness was Laine making new friends (Jess and Web) so quickly. Their friendship was made out to be genuine and healthy but honestly, it came across contrived. They basically spent time drinking at parties and sharing the same bed, minus any sort of meaningful conversations. Whenever Jess and Web asked Laine about Leah, she'd clam up and they'd drop their question like a hot potato. You call that friends?
Overall, 'Lessons From A Dead Girl' was a quick and disappointing read as it failed to explore any subject on a deeper level. As such, it was impossible to connect with any character.
This book featured several heavy subjects such as abuse (sexual and emotional), homosexuality, bullying and suicide. However, none of them were fully delved into, hence this story lacked the emotional punch and rawness which it desperately needed. There was too much telling and not enough showing. There were implications and revelations yet everything was on surface level without the depth that would have made this story impactful and unforgettable.
The characters were painfully one-dimensional without any growth or believability. Leah fit into the stereotypical mould of a beautiful, rich and popular character with dark secrets. One moment she was nice to Laine, the next she was mocking her or violating her. I found her to be completely unlikeable and even more so when she finally told Laine what had happened to her. It was hard to sympathize with her because she basically admitted to .
Meanwhile, Laine was exasperating as she constantly remained "friends" with Leah despite feeling uncomfortable and unhappy. Throughout the book, she kept on asking why Leah treated her so badly only to actually give her the time of day and get derided repeatedly. But does she ever learn? No points for guessing. I understand it's not that easy to cut someone out of your life but come on. Laine wasn't exactly dumb - she knew Leah was toxic yet she gave her many chances.
The only thing that could top Leah's awfulness was Laine making new friends (Jess and Web) so quickly. Their friendship was made out to be genuine and healthy but honestly, it came across contrived. They basically spent time drinking at parties and sharing the same bed, minus any sort of meaningful conversations. Whenever Jess and Web asked Laine about Leah, she'd clam up and they'd drop their question like a hot potato. You call that friends?
Overall, 'Lessons From A Dead Girl' was a quick and disappointing read as it failed to explore any subject on a deeper level. As such, it was impossible to connect with any character.
June 16, 2008
Lessons from a Dead Girl is a book that I think will definitely fit for high schoolers. It's an intense novel that would leave a mark on you one way or another, whether it be big or small. About a girl named Laine, who had her childhood practically obliterated by her friend Leah. Leah is then gone (passes away), and Laine reflects on everything, only to discover the deeper meanings of the friendship she once had. What I liked about this book were the powerful messages it had beneath the surface. It is not a typical book about a girl for a girl, but it is still inquisitive and I recommend it to anyone (even boys).
November 25, 2008
Couldn't put this one down. Jo Knowles did a creditable job of depicting a very complex relationship between two girls, from childhood into adolescence. In this story, one girl has a more domineering personality, and takes advantage, physically, mentally, and emotionally, of the other girl. They are co-dependent and don't realize it. The story is told in the first person by the weaker of the two girls, who tries to understand why she let herself be victimized and why she didn't see that her friend needed help. I hope Knowles continues to write YA books. Highly recommended!
July 27, 2015
I read this entire book in one sitting. It's short (a little over 200 pages), but it really illustrates the power our friends can have over the rest of our lives.
This book wasn't my favourite, but it was pretty good considering its length. The themes that the author tackled in this book were really well-done, especially the part about the abused becoming the abuser. I even found myself feeling bad for Leah at times, who is portrayed as both a monster and a scared, helpless young girl.
A short read, but not something to be taken lightly.
This book wasn't my favourite, but it was pretty good considering its length. The themes that the author tackled in this book were really well-done, especially the part about the abused becoming the abuser. I even found myself feeling bad for Leah at times, who is portrayed as both a monster and a scared, helpless young girl.
A short read, but not something to be taken lightly.
March 17, 2021
tw | emotional abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse
this was disturbing but so tragic. laine's side was obviously tragic but the amounts of signs leah showed that her parents ignored and the obvious signs from those let around her... she could've been saved before she started hurting others. a vicious cycle and it's explored in this book which is something i hadn't seen before.
this was disturbing but so tragic. laine's side was obviously tragic but the amounts of signs leah showed that her parents ignored and the obvious signs from those let around her... she could've been saved before she started hurting others. a vicious cycle and it's explored in this book which is something i hadn't seen before.
May 23, 2022
Lessons from a Dead Girl, is about a girl named Laine. Laine was a very innocent, shy, girl, until she met Leah. Leah Green, the most popular and beautiful girl in school. Everyone wanted to be her friend. She was nice, kind, and everything was perfect about her. Laine and Leah were nothing alike, Laine never thought that Leah and her could be friends. But she was soon to be wrong. One day Leah came up to Laine and they started to talk. They were in 5th grade at the time around 10 years old. Leah one day decied to bring Laine to the fields way way way far from the school. At the very back of the fields. She grabbed Laine's hand and once they got to the fields, she held both of Laines hand looked her in the eyes, smiled, and, wrote on her hand LG+ Laines first and last entails, and then finished to write =FF, friends forever. Later on in the book, Laine, invites Leah to come over to her house. Leah agrees, and soon they are both at Laines house. They are home alone, and they are the only ones home. Laine introduces her room to Leah, but all of Leah's attention is on the closet. Leah brings Laine into the closet. There are a few dolls in the closet. They organize them as there adunice, they start to play family. Laine is the dad and Leah is the mom. They are playing games and fun, until Leah seems all serious. She stops the game and says, now I will be the dad and you must do as I say. Leah sits Laine down and proceeds to kiss her. Laine is uncomfortable and asks her what she is doing. Leah says, they are just practings for when they get older and they get boyfriends. Laine blives her, and they start to make out in the closet and do other things. The next day in school, Laine expects Leah to explain what happened at her house, but Leah acts like nothing is wrong. They get older and keep doing the same thing. Further into the book, they get into highshcool. Leah and Laine aren't as close as they used to be. Leah has been through some trauma in the past and around this part of the book Laine find out why Leah did they things to her. Leah's dad, had a friend named Sam. Sam seemed like a nice guy buying presents for Leah and her sister and even giving Laine one. One day when Sam came over, Laine was at Leah's house. He brought them presents and they spent a nice time in the living room dancing and laughing. Before Sam had come over, Leah made Laine promise she wouldn't leave her alone with Sam, but Laine felt left out and soon enough did leave to go to sleep. Later that night Laine heard Leah crying but didn't pay much attention to it. Anyway, back to highschool. Leah and Laine weren't as close as they used to be. Leah soon didn't pay much attione to Laine. Laine was alone for a while in high school, until she met, Jess and Will. One day Laine was in a class and she needed a music sheet to read the notes but she didn't have them, so Jess let her use hers. After that Laine and Jess were good friends. Later on Jess introduces Laine to Will. Laine has a huge crush on Will but she doesn't know one thing. Will is gay. Laine is heartbroken but she moves on. Leah switches schools and rumors are spread, one being Leah trying to kill herself and then sent to a boarding school, which Laine belived, because one time Laine went to her house when they were around 15-16 and she started to cut her wrist. One day Will invited Laine to a party, and you'll never guess who was there... Leah. Leah reginozed Laine and wouldn't let Laine out of her sight. Once Laine was alone Leah came up to her and kept insisting that Laine liked what Leah did to her there for making Laine gay. Soon Will and Jess found out what Leah was doing to Laine, and they were disappointed in her for not telling them so they could help. Soon Leah and Laine meet again and Leah explains that the reason that she abused Laine was because Sam did the same thing to her. Later on, Leah and Laine meet again. they get in a huge argument which then Leah gets in her car and starts to speed away, Laine chases her and they are both speeding, until Leah crshes into a tree. Laine gets out of her car and later sees that Leah Green is dead. The police find her body but they never found out if it was an accident or if it was sucdiacal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 23, 2019This book is about a girl named Laine McCarthy who is considered more on the weird side and she ends up meeting a very popular girl named Leah Greene. They became friends because their older sisters were best friends so they tried to get the girls together. After a little while leah and Lanie became best friends and they were always together, maybe a little too much. Leah started acting different and she became very bossy and mean to Lanie. Leah was always trying to start an argument against Lanie or Lanie's family. They end up growing apart for a while because Leah changes so much overtime. She starts no not care if she hurts anyone at all and she even starts to not care about herself.
My favorite character is Lanie because even though she knows people judge her for how she looks, she still sticks to herself and does not change a thing because of what other people think. She actually started to feel real to me because of things that happen in the book. For example people bullied Lanie and that is a real thing in the world today. The story kept me guessing on what was going to happen next, I kept wondering if leah was ok or if Leah was just messing with Lanie and never liked her. My favorite part of the book is when leah and Lanie became best friend and wrote it on their hands because it seemed like Lanie was so happy to actually have a friend. This book really had me turning the pages because of how much of a mystery it was to see if Leah was actually ok or not. I did not expect Leah to die the way she did. I expected her to overdose on pills because of her feeling alone. I did not find it difficult to care about the main character because she was just as human as leah was. Just because she did not have the money or the looks that leah had did not make her any different.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and i would recommend it to anyone that loves a page turner and mystery. This book would be for more of a younger group such as teenagers.
My favorite character is Lanie because even though she knows people judge her for how she looks, she still sticks to herself and does not change a thing because of what other people think. She actually started to feel real to me because of things that happen in the book. For example people bullied Lanie and that is a real thing in the world today. The story kept me guessing on what was going to happen next, I kept wondering if leah was ok or if Leah was just messing with Lanie and never liked her. My favorite part of the book is when leah and Lanie became best friend and wrote it on their hands because it seemed like Lanie was so happy to actually have a friend. This book really had me turning the pages because of how much of a mystery it was to see if Leah was actually ok or not. I did not expect Leah to die the way she did. I expected her to overdose on pills because of her feeling alone. I did not find it difficult to care about the main character because she was just as human as leah was. Just because she did not have the money or the looks that leah had did not make her any different.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and i would recommend it to anyone that loves a page turner and mystery. This book would be for more of a younger group such as teenagers.
January 20, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
This was a tough read and also a bit novel because I haven't come across a story about the cycle of abuse in this way before (i.e. amongst peers rather than someone older taking advantage of someone younger). From the title onwards, we already know how this ends and I think I would have rated it higher if this had carried on from being just YA to adult and had Laine dealing with her trauma and making sense of her childhood abuser and best friend.
This was a tough read and also a bit novel because I haven't come across a story about the cycle of abuse in this way before (i.e. amongst peers rather than someone older taking advantage of someone younger). From the title onwards, we already know how this ends and I think I would have rated it higher if this had carried on from being just YA to adult and had Laine dealing with her trauma and making sense of her childhood abuser and best friend.
November 13, 2018
This book was disturbing and very much uncomfortable to read, being it hit home in certain parts. I really think the author did a great job at bringing up issues that affect both girls and boys, and seem to be brushed off sometimes.
April 5, 2025
Kept me on my toes from the very beginning!!
October 31, 2011
First off, I love the cover of Lessons from a Dead Girl. I've gotten kind of bored of covers with a pretty model but not much else, and this is a really good alternative - it's incospicuous but creepy, in a good way, just like the actual book.
This book is really different than I thought it'd be. I thought it was going to be about Laine dealing with Leah's death, and struggling to understand what happened when they were kids, but most of the story takes place before Leah's death - basically, the first and last chapters take place after Leah dies, and the rest shows us everything that happened before, starting in 5th grade, when they first became friends. If I'd known how much of the book focusses on Leah and Laine at such a young age, I think I would have been more reluctant to read Lessons from a Dead Girl, just because I like books about protagonists who are roughly my age. But I actually ended up enjoying the book the way it is - reading so much about Leah and Laine's past gives the reader a much better insight into both of the characters and into how their friendship works.
I loved Laine. I felt for her throughout the book - reading about what she has to go through, at such a young age, is heartbreaking, epsecially since we read about it from young, innocent, sweet Laine's point-of-view.
Leah... Oh, Leah. I wanted to feel for her, too - I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but she has some major issues, and what she has to go through is terrible, too. But I still couldn't really feel symapathetic towards her because what she does to Laine is so terrible. She traumatized Laine - she can't trust anyone, always afraid that if she were to become friends with another girl, she might do what Leah did. And even later, when Leah and Laine aren't friends anymore but still see each other occasionally, Leah is just such a bitch, always tormenting Laine about what they did, as if it were Laine's fault and not Leah's. I couldn't muster any sympathy towards Leah, but maybe that's because we only got to read from Laine's perspective - reading about Leah's thoughts and feelings and what made her do what she did would have been fascinating, but Lessons from a Dead Girl is Laine's story, not Leah's.
***This paragraph contains mild spoilers!***
One thing I disliked about Lessons from a Dead Girl is how it made what happened out to be Laine's fault, too. Maybe it's just because we read everything from Laine's point of view and she feels guilty about Leah's death, but a lot of the book talks about why Laine didn't try to stop Leah, or why Leah didn't try to stop Sam, the guy who abused Leah when she was younger. While of course that's something you should think about, too, I didn't like the way it was portrayed, Leah saying that there was some part of them, the victims, who liked what the abusers did to them. Obviously, I'm no expert, but that can't be right. I disliked how that puts part of the blame on the victim, which I think is just wrong. Maybe that's just my impression, though, since for the most part, Lessons from a Dead Girl has a positive message.
The plot, while horrifying, is great. It's fast-paced, and the book was hard to put down. I really like the idea of the "lessons" - each chapter begins with one "lesson" Leah taught Laine. I don't know what it is about this book, but it all feels so real, like it could have happened to anyone which makes it all the more disturbing. The writing is great, too, and the matter-of-factly way Laine describes what she had to go through is heartbreaking.
This book is a very hard read, but definitely worth it. The concept is something I've never heard about before, but it's fascinating. It's a heartbreaking story, but I definitely recommend Lessons from a Dead Girl, and I'll definitely read more by Jo Knowles in the future.
Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...
This book is really different than I thought it'd be. I thought it was going to be about Laine dealing with Leah's death, and struggling to understand what happened when they were kids, but most of the story takes place before Leah's death - basically, the first and last chapters take place after Leah dies, and the rest shows us everything that happened before, starting in 5th grade, when they first became friends. If I'd known how much of the book focusses on Leah and Laine at such a young age, I think I would have been more reluctant to read Lessons from a Dead Girl, just because I like books about protagonists who are roughly my age. But I actually ended up enjoying the book the way it is - reading so much about Leah and Laine's past gives the reader a much better insight into both of the characters and into how their friendship works.
I loved Laine. I felt for her throughout the book - reading about what she has to go through, at such a young age, is heartbreaking, epsecially since we read about it from young, innocent, sweet Laine's point-of-view.
Leah... Oh, Leah. I wanted to feel for her, too - I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but she has some major issues, and what she has to go through is terrible, too. But I still couldn't really feel symapathetic towards her because what she does to Laine is so terrible. She traumatized Laine - she can't trust anyone, always afraid that if she were to become friends with another girl, she might do what Leah did. And even later, when Leah and Laine aren't friends anymore but still see each other occasionally, Leah is just such a bitch, always tormenting Laine about what they did, as if it were Laine's fault and not Leah's. I couldn't muster any sympathy towards Leah, but maybe that's because we only got to read from Laine's perspective - reading about Leah's thoughts and feelings and what made her do what she did would have been fascinating, but Lessons from a Dead Girl is Laine's story, not Leah's.
***This paragraph contains mild spoilers!***
One thing I disliked about Lessons from a Dead Girl is how it made what happened out to be Laine's fault, too. Maybe it's just because we read everything from Laine's point of view and she feels guilty about Leah's death, but a lot of the book talks about why Laine didn't try to stop Leah, or why Leah didn't try to stop Sam, the guy who abused Leah when she was younger. While of course that's something you should think about, too, I didn't like the way it was portrayed, Leah saying that there was some part of them, the victims, who liked what the abusers did to them. Obviously, I'm no expert, but that can't be right. I disliked how that puts part of the blame on the victim, which I think is just wrong. Maybe that's just my impression, though, since for the most part, Lessons from a Dead Girl has a positive message.
The plot, while horrifying, is great. It's fast-paced, and the book was hard to put down. I really like the idea of the "lessons" - each chapter begins with one "lesson" Leah taught Laine. I don't know what it is about this book, but it all feels so real, like it could have happened to anyone which makes it all the more disturbing. The writing is great, too, and the matter-of-factly way Laine describes what she had to go through is heartbreaking.
This book is a very hard read, but definitely worth it. The concept is something I've never heard about before, but it's fascinating. It's a heartbreaking story, but I definitely recommend Lessons from a Dead Girl, and I'll definitely read more by Jo Knowles in the future.
Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...
March 14, 2017
While I was reading this book, it really makes you think, i was thinking about how twisted it kind of is. A lot of weird things happen in this book. The way the main character deals with the trauma in her life and what was inflicted upon her, is pretty amazing. She deals with it differently than some people would. But as the reader i can understand her thoughts about what was happening. And her actions towards her friends and non friends. Very addicting to read and i didn't want to put it down.
October 3, 2013
Name: Sarah Fretz
Citation: Knowles, J. (2007). Lessons from a dead girl. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Controversial/Banned
Award:
Format: e-book
Selection: American Library Association’s Books Challenged or Banned in 2009-2010.
Doyle, R. P. (n.d.). Books Challenged or Banned in 2009–2010. Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same. Retrieved February 19, 2013, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala...
Review:
Laine’s best friend for most of her life is dead. Leah Greene has died and Laine is confused whether to be relieved or sad.
Having created the path in which Leah died, Laine feels guilty. However, underneath the guilt are the layers of pain and horrific memories that Laine lived with regarding Leah. For years, Leah overpowered Laine, belittled and bullied her, tried to keep her down. Moreover, Leah made Laine do unspeakable things in Laine’s closet, consistently rubbing the actions in her face, making it feel like it was Laine’s fault it happened.
For years, Laine took the abuse from her friend. Wanting to be popular like Leah, she continued the actions and behaviors Leah encouraged. Enough was enough. As Laine attempts to break away, Leah’s taunts get worse forcing both girls to face what happened and where to take it from there.
This heartbreaking story speaks of bullying, abuse and death yet also of power and courage. Lessons from a Dead Girl brings to light how one goes about dealing with the pain both before and after tragedy ends it and how even what seems to be the smallest actions and behaviors can destroy lives forever.
Highly recommended for 14 and older.
Citation: Knowles, J. (2007). Lessons from a dead girl. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Controversial/Banned
Award:
Format: e-book
Selection: American Library Association’s Books Challenged or Banned in 2009-2010.
Doyle, R. P. (n.d.). Books Challenged or Banned in 2009–2010. Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same. Retrieved February 19, 2013, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala...
Review:
Laine’s best friend for most of her life is dead. Leah Greene has died and Laine is confused whether to be relieved or sad.
Having created the path in which Leah died, Laine feels guilty. However, underneath the guilt are the layers of pain and horrific memories that Laine lived with regarding Leah. For years, Leah overpowered Laine, belittled and bullied her, tried to keep her down. Moreover, Leah made Laine do unspeakable things in Laine’s closet, consistently rubbing the actions in her face, making it feel like it was Laine’s fault it happened.
For years, Laine took the abuse from her friend. Wanting to be popular like Leah, she continued the actions and behaviors Leah encouraged. Enough was enough. As Laine attempts to break away, Leah’s taunts get worse forcing both girls to face what happened and where to take it from there.
This heartbreaking story speaks of bullying, abuse and death yet also of power and courage. Lessons from a Dead Girl brings to light how one goes about dealing with the pain both before and after tragedy ends it and how even what seems to be the smallest actions and behaviors can destroy lives forever.
Highly recommended for 14 and older.
December 16, 2019
I like the fact that the book has a good impact. Just not as hard as the impact I got from her other book See You at Harry's.
I'm not sure if judging a book should be based on the writing style or the personal view of the reader but anyway, I'll still give the book a triple star rating. I probably shouldn't compare two completely differently themed books by the same author but I only gave this book a try because of 'See You at Harry's!' I figured, if Jo Knowles can make a book that can turn the reader into constant sobbing mess; that the reader can deeply feel the grief and sadness and melancholy of characters using her works; then, "perhaps this one might also be as good if not better."
The book has a good plot in it, and the atmosphere is consistently depressing. Depressing in mood or atmosphere and not in quality, mind you. The subject of the story is serious and not should be taken lightly fictionally and realistically, so it's appropriately handled as so. The authors depicted realistic emotions and actions.
But, to be honest, the words didn't flow as smoothly as the book she wrote, 'See You at Harry's'. The words seemed stilted and, frankly, lifeless to me. It makes you think the author didn't really connect with this book, or was immersed in this work as she was in the one I keep praising about.
The solution and ending was kind of loose and lacking. Like, there's something missing or somehow, it "resolved" too.. Fast? And too quietly. Anti-climatic. It could be argued that if this is ever dealt realistically, the whole thing wouldn't be handled so dramatically anyway but I personally think the story was prematurely cut off and ended too spontaneously.
I'm not sure if judging a book should be based on the writing style or the personal view of the reader but anyway, I'll still give the book a triple star rating. I probably shouldn't compare two completely differently themed books by the same author but I only gave this book a try because of 'See You at Harry's!' I figured, if Jo Knowles can make a book that can turn the reader into constant sobbing mess; that the reader can deeply feel the grief and sadness and melancholy of characters using her works; then, "perhaps this one might also be as good if not better."
The book has a good plot in it, and the atmosphere is consistently depressing. Depressing in mood or atmosphere and not in quality, mind you. The subject of the story is serious and not should be taken lightly fictionally and realistically, so it's appropriately handled as so. The authors depicted realistic emotions and actions.
But, to be honest, the words didn't flow as smoothly as the book she wrote, 'See You at Harry's'. The words seemed stilted and, frankly, lifeless to me. It makes you think the author didn't really connect with this book, or was immersed in this work as she was in the one I keep praising about.
The solution and ending was kind of loose and lacking. Like, there's something missing or somehow, it "resolved" too.. Fast? And too quietly. Anti-climatic. It could be argued that if this is ever dealt realistically, the whole thing wouldn't be handled so dramatically anyway but I personally think the story was prematurely cut off and ended too spontaneously.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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