The Other Girl – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Identity theft turns surprisingly metamorphic.
YA book title: The Other Girl.
YA authors: Emily Barr.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction.
Published by: Penguin.
ISBN: 9780241643440.
Recommended for children aged: 14+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback May 2024.
This YA book is ideal for: Older KS3/4 who enjoy fictional escapism, identity formation and adult themes.
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Our review:
Tabbi is a privileged and entitled teen whose only experience is one of luxury and extravagance. While being escorted to an exclusive rehabilitation centre in Switzerland, a chance encounter with another girl has life-changing consequences. Ruby appears to be her complete opposite – unfettered, self-assured, and composed – displaying a freedom that Tabbi longs for, an escape from whatever she is seeking to redeem.
In a seemingly cunning and self-serving plan, Tabbi orchestrates an identity swap, arriving in Switzerland with little more than Ruby’s clothes, a backpack, and a verbal pact to meet at the end of the rehab period. Ruby, equally burdened by undisclosed secrets, is thrilled to step into an unfamiliar world of unlimited wealth and glamour, armed with Tabbi’s bank card and designer luggage.
As each girl assumes the other’s identity, countless surprises unfold. This period of new opportunity allows them both to reflect on the rights and wrongs of their past and the potential consequences for their future – including whether they truly wish to return to their real identities after all.
Our verdict:
The Other Girl is an intriguing yet unsettling read, packed with relentless plot twists that keep the reader on edge. With references to adult themes such as drug and alcohol use, this is definitely a book for older teens – particularly those fascinated by social influencers and the idea that the grass is always greener.
Many thanks to Penguin for the review copy.
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