It's been a while since I left secondary school, but even so, reading The Yearbook conjured up those days in such clarity, I almost felt like I was there with our protagonist, wallflower Paige Vickers. (I was bullied awfully, so I think if Bourne had been around a decade ago, I'd have been pumping my fist at the searing critiques of teenage cruelty. Now, I just want to give Paige a hug and tell her that it'll get better for her.) I've read every book Bourne has put out to date, and she's really good at this, tapping into this relatable young adult voice that perfectly exposes the struggles of that age without trying too hard or seeming preachy. Come expecting a fun 'quiet girl takes down Regina George' plot, stay for the complex exploration of abuse, identity, and bullying.
