For teens grappling with unresolved grief and suspicion after tragic losses, this book explores the unsettling feeling when past events don't quite add up.
A parent might reach for this book when their mature teen is drawn to true crime and complex mysteries that don't shy away from difficult topics. It is for the reader who is grappling with the idea that the official story isn't always the whole story, especially concerning past tragedies. Five years after a series of deaths decimated the high school cheerleading squad, Monica, the younger sister of one of the victims, uncovers evidence that suggests the accepted narratives of suicide and accident are wrong. This is a dark, intense thriller that directly confronts themes of grief, suicide, murder, and the devastating impact of secrets. Suitable for older, more resilient teens (16+), it's a gripping read that validates the instinct to question and seek justice, even when it's painful.
Multiple deaths by suicide, murder, and accident are central to the plot and are discussed in detail.
Romantic ContentModerate
A central plot point involves a non-explicit but deeply disturbing statutory rape (teacher-student).
Sad ContentIntense
Pervasive themes of grief, trauma, suicide, and family secrets.
Substance ReferencesModerate
Features underage drinking at parties and some references to drug use.
ViolenceModerate
Includes descriptions of crime scenes, murder, and a violent physical confrontation.
Sensitive Topics
The book's approach to sensitive topics is direct, secular, and unflinching. It deals with character death in multiple forms: murder, suicide, and accident. The descriptions can be graphic. The plot also revolves around statutory rape (a teacher-student relationship), a secret abortion, mental illness (depression), and substance use (underage drinking). The resolution provides answers and a form of justice, but it is deeply tragic and realistic rather than hopeful. The emotional weight of the events remains heavy at the book's conclusion.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen, 15-18, who is an avid reader of dark, psychological thrillers and true crime. This book is for a reader who can handle significant thematic weight and moral complexity, and is not easily disturbed by topics like suicide and sexual abuse. It would appeal to a teen who feels that adults are not always truthful and who is drawn to stories about uncovering hidden, uncomfortable realities.
Parent Prep
Parents should absolutely read this book first or alongside their teen. It requires significant context and maturity. Key scenes to preview include those discussing the details of the suicides, the reveal of the teacher-student relationship, and the climactic confrontation. A pre-reading conversation about consent, mental health, and the pressures teens face would be highly beneficial. This is not a book to be read cold by a younger or more sensitive teen. A parent's teen has just finished a popular, slightly lighter YA mystery like "One of Us Is Lying" and says, "I want something darker, more like a real true crime story." Or, a teen who is processing a past family or community tragedy expresses frustration that no one will talk about what "really" happened.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely be most engaged by the fast-paced plot and the shocking twists of the whodunit. An older teen (16-18) is more equipped to appreciate the deeper psychological layers: the nuanced exploration of grief, the critique of a community that prioritizes reputation over protecting its children, and the complex, trauma-driven motivations of the characters.
What Makes It Special
Among YA mysteries, "The Cheerleaders" stands out for its sheer darkness and its unflinching commitment to exploring the ugliest secrets of a small town. While many YA thrillers maintain a certain distance from the most disturbing topics, this book puts themes of statutory rape, abortion, and suicide at the very center of its plot, treating them with a grim realism that is both its greatest strength and its primary content challenge.
Read plot summary
Five years after her older sister, Jen, was one of five cheerleaders from Sunnybrook High to die in a single year, Monica Rayburn is still living in the shadow of the tragedy. When she discovers Jen's old phone and a hidden box of letters, she begins to suspect that the official explanations for the deaths (a car crash, two murders by a local boy, and two suicides) are a cover-up. Teaming up with Ginny, another student connected to the victims, Monica launches her own investigation, unraveling a web of dark town secrets that involve illicit relationships, blackmail, and a conspiracy of silence among the town's most powerful adults.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Monica feels immense pressure to live up to (or live down) her sister Jen's memory. How does Jen's 'perfect' reputation affect Monica's investigation and her sense of self?
2
The adults in Sunnybrook, from parents to the police, made choices to hide the truth. Do you think their actions were justified to protect the town's image or their families? Why or why not?
3
At the story's climax, Monica's father confesses his role in the cover-up. How did you feel about his motivations? Does being a parent excuse his actions?
4
The book reveals that the official stories behind the cheerleaders' deaths were wrong. What does this story say about how we accept narratives from people in authority?
5
Consider the friendship between Monica and Ginny. How did their shared goal of finding the truth help them overcome their initial distrust and personal histories with each other?
