Get ready for a can’t-put-down-page-turner. Lori Goldstein has crafted a brilliant masterpiece that intertwines modern day events with three brave girls who will take the world by storm.
Lucy, Maddie, and Delia are three recent high school graduates who are spending their summer at an exclusive tech conclave. But when they get there, they realize just how outnumbered they are. There are only four girls in the whole thing. And they are the only all girl team. The man sponsoring the whole thing is a gorgeous tech genius…and a card-carrying member of the old boys club. These tech-savvy females will show the world just how smart and courageous they are. Shaping the future and blazing trails for all those coming behind.
I appreciated how the author brought these characters from very different backgrounds together. It would have been easy to have them meet and be instant friends, but let’s face it, that isn’t how the world usually works. Friendship and camaraderie slowly develop throughout the book with the girls gradually realizing just how amazing each of the other individuals are. It really helps the development of the story. I think a lot would have been lost had they been insta-friends.
The author also stayed quite true to real-world teens. From the inability to disconnect from technology to the emotional up and down interactions, she didn’t sugar coat how the real world can be. This novel is very timely with the “Me Too” movement and how women in traditional “men’s careers” are often treated and the sacrifices that many have made to pave the way for future generations. I also appreciated how historical females were weaved throughout the book.
Each chapter starts with a definition of a tech term, which I found super helpful. I am sure that others will find these terms helpful as well if you are not embedded in the tech culture. This is a great book, especially for girls, and even though the subject matter is a little mature, middle grade readers might just find Lucy, Maddie, and Delia the inspiration they need.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Razorbill
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 5 religious exclamations; 22 mild obscenities; 10 scatological words; 37 anatomical terms; 1 f-word derivative.
Violence/Gore: Verbal bullying; teen knocked off table; juvenile gags (stealing socks, garter snakes in bed); three falls with minor injuries; three instances of blatant sexual harassment (placed here because it is malicious intent).
Sex and Nudity: Descriptions of a man’s butt; two instances of hand on lower back; reference to sex; three instances of hands on arm; three instances of hand holding; hand on thigh; veiled sexual comments; two kisses; brief scene of attempted sexual assault in car (comments, hand on thigh, grab dress and strap breaks as victim flees).
Mature Subject Matter:
Neglect, divorce, gender inequality, marriage infidelity, death of a parent, hacking, blackmail, attempted sexual assault.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Underage drinking.
