The Upper Class

Many may think that being a part of the privileged, wealthy, upper class set is a piece of cake, filled with shopping sprees, non-stop parties, gorgeous guys, glamorous girls, and anything else you might happen to think up. For the select few who live this lifestyle, they'd be happy to set you straight. Sure, they have access to daddy's credit card, can vacation and party at a handful of luxury homes around the world, and drink themselves to sleep, but it's not always fun and games. Especially when you're forced to contend with being shipped off to boarding school. Laine Hunt was bred for Wellington. Being born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Laine has taken on the role of a proper Greenwich girl. Not only does she spend much of her time at the local country club, surrounded by other rich and privileged teens like herself - along with an assortment of stuffy adults who leer at her like she's some sort of lobster special - but she's also a field hockey star who is destined for stardom. Not that she wants it. Laine may be gorgeous, with pale blonde hair, never-ending legs, and turquoise eyes; but she's also plagued by one very paralyzing fear: failure. Laine has been raised to please everyone around her - from her mother to her stepfather, and even her neighbors. But with so much pressure riding on her, she can't help but feel that heading off to Wellington may just set her up for her biggest fear, and leave her disappointing everyone. Long Island-bred Nikki Olivetti, on the other hand, couldn't stick out more as a Wellington girl. First, Nikki is new-money, so no one knows her name, or cares to learn more about her. Second, she's a loudmouth tease who likes to spend her time flirting with every boy in sight; but, underneath it all, Nikki has the biggest heart, and is interested in getting to know everyone around her. Too bad the feelings aren't reciprocated. As Laine's roommate, the pairing couldn't be more inaccurate. The only thing these two newbies have in common, is the fact that they're both reluctant to enjoy the whole boarding school experiment. They'd better figure out how to survive, however; otherwise they'll never live to see graduation day. I am a huge fan of Cecily von Ziegesar's GOSSIP GIRL and IT GIRL series; as well as Kate Brian's PRIVATE series, so I knew that I would instantly love THE UPPER CLASS. Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne, and Caroline Says have done an enchanting job of intertwining the lives of two very different girls, along with many of their popular classmates, to create an enthralling story that is, to put it bluntly, impossible to put down. What's so interesting about THE UPPER CLASS, is that, as it's written by three individual people, you can actually see the writing change from one to another throughout the novel, which actually lends a unique twist to the tale. It's also quite fun to view the world of private school, through the eyes of two very different, yet original characters - such as Nikki and Lain

Nestled in some perfect green world is a castle called Wellington. Well, it's not really a castle, but it looks like one. Inside, the chosen few --- an amalgamation of kids from all across the privileged sides of the world --- come together to learn and grow. Here is the place where unlikely friends are made. When Nikki Olivetti from Long Island, New York, and Laine Hunt from Greenwich, Connecticut, are pushed together as roommates, they wonder how long they can last without ripping each other's hair out. Without their usual safety nets (mom and dad, loads of cash, familiar places), the girls find themselves castaways on an island of discovery. And when Laine sees Nikki's Facebook picture in a senior's "Who Won't Make It" betting book, she realizes how tough this place is really going to be. THE UPPER CLASS, the first in what surely will be a successful series of teen reads about upper crusty boarding-school types and their misadventures, is written by three friends who graduated from the prestigious Hotchkiss School and know all too well the pitfalls and exciting propositions that come from being handed an opportunity like Laine and Nikki receive at the fictional Wellington. Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne and Caroline Says have found somehow to meld their three voices into one distinctive literary roar. The characters muse about life with astonishing depth perception; they know what their parents' money has brought them, both at the mall and by way of intense social and economic expectations. Nikki, being the new money girl, is the person whose perspective is like that of most of the readers of this book. Laine, on the other hand, reflects on the implications of following a dysfunctional yet highly prized socially-connected family's path while still striving to make one of her own. I'm amazed that three individuals were able to pull off this feat. Like a film with too many credited screenwriters, a novel with more than one author often feels like a committee creation rather than a single purposeful work of art. But THE UPPER CLASS is just that --- art masquerading as "The Real World." Nicely done, folks. Hotchkiss would be proud. --- Reviewed by Jana Siciliano

Read a review of this book in the NY Times' style section yesterday, got a copy and couldn't put it down!

got hooked right away-- a beautiful book about the sometimes not-so beautiful goings ons at an exclusive eastcoast boarding school.... cute boys good girls bad girls .. a deliciously catty ride into the world of the young & priviledged.... couldnt put it down! grab a few copies and dive in w/your friends around the pool.... def 2007's hottest summer read! Now just praying for a sequel... seriously I can't get enough!

great book, blows away any other attempt to depict true boarding school/high school stories. People & places feel real! none of this "school ties" or scent of a woman glorified drama. great book! & encompasses a more broad range of readers..