Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
94th out of 1,139 books
—
5,726 voters
Lessons from a Dead Girl
by
Jo Knowles (Goodreads Author)
An unflinching story of a troubled friendship — and one girl’s struggle to come to terms with secrets and shame and find her own power to heal.
Leah Greene is dead. For Laine, knowing what really happened and the awful feeling that she is, in some way, responsible set her on a journey of painful self-discovery. Yes, she wished for this. She hated Leah that much. Hated her f...more
Leah Greene is dead. For Laine, knowing what really happened and the awful feeling that she is, in some way, responsible set her on a journey of painful self-discovery. Yes, she wished for this. She hated Leah that much. Hated her f...more
Hardcover, 215 pages
Published
October 9th 2007
by Candlewick
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
Nov 14, 2012
Jennifer Wardrip
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
trt-posted-reviews,
trt-gold-star-award-winner
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn't understand Leah, or why Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn't understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn't understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As the...more
Laine hated her, and wished many times that Leah would die and leave her alone. She didn't understand Leah, or why Leah chose her to be her best friend all those years ago. She didn't understand the things that Leah did to her in the doll closet, or why Leah would torment her with that knowledge and the shame that Laine felt. As they grew older, she didn't understand the problems that Leah faced, or the impact that they had on her behavior. As the...more
Have you ever had to keep a secret? One that you would not know the outcome of--what if they laugh--its my fault--what if I get in trouble--what is they get in trouble? Laine is faced just with that issue. Leah (Laine’s “BFF”) has a new idea one day to ‘practice’ things that they will do when they get older.
As time grows on the ‘practicing’ continues--and the secret is kept. Laine must decided for herself if she is going to tell the secret or hold in it forever and will she ever forgive Leah.
I m...more
As time grows on the ‘practicing’ continues--and the secret is kept. Laine must decided for herself if she is going to tell the secret or hold in it forever and will she ever forgive Leah.
I m...more
Apr 02, 2008
Charlie Schnell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone!
Recommended to Charlie by:
Found it through Goodreads.
Shelves:
young-adult
I wish more people would read this book. This was a hard book to read at times. It is powerful and I found I had to put it down to check what I was feeling and come back to it later. Surprisingly I only felt that 'teenage drama' once while reading. I think Ms. Knowles has done a brilliant job with a very difficult subject. Wonderful writing too. I am looking forward to "Jumping off Swings" in 2009. You should check out her blog, her writing there cracks me up!
Lessons from a Dead Girl is a book that I think will definitely fit for high schoolers. It's an intense novel that would leave a mark on you one way or another, whether it be big or small. About a girl named Laine, who had her childhood practically obliterated by her friend Leah. Leah is then gone (passes away), and Laine reflects on everything, only to discover the deeper meanings of the friendship she once had. What I liked about this book were the powerful messages it had beneath the surface....more
Laine is an ordinary teenager with a gut-wrenching secret that haunts her from the very first page of LESSONS FROM A DEAD GIRL and haunts readers long after the last page is turned. The "dead girl" in the title is Laine's friend Leah -- a friend who steals away Laine's childhood through an abusive relationship that escalates so painfully that you want desperately to step into the book and shout, "NO!"
This book is definitely an older YA -- one I'd recommend for high school rather than middle scho...more
This book is definitely an older YA -- one I'd recommend for high school rather than middle scho...more
Boldly tackling the subject of child sexual abuse, this novel pulls the reader in and doesn't let go, even after the last page.
How Lainey goes from being a victim to a survivor, in this well written novel, is something that will both shock the reader and make you think just a little bit more. This is the story of how one abused girl turns her anger and confused self to abusing another girl under the guise of friendship. Years later Lainey still doesn't understand why Leah chose her out of all t...more
How Lainey goes from being a victim to a survivor, in this well written novel, is something that will both shock the reader and make you think just a little bit more. This is the story of how one abused girl turns her anger and confused self to abusing another girl under the guise of friendship. Years later Lainey still doesn't understand why Leah chose her out of all t...more
The story is touching and unforgettable. I couldn’t put it down! I hated, yet felt sorry for Leah Greene. She was hurting so bad she had to look for relief by hurting Lainey. The story really hit hard about the things that can go on with children. The book demonstrates the courage it takes to break the abusive relationship and the inevitable setbacks that will happen. The story has real people that the reader can relate to.
We can choose not to think about things like this really happening to o...more
Jo Knowles' gripping debut zeros in on a painful childhood friendship. I love the complexity of Lainey's relationship with pretty and abusive Leah and the confused emotions it brings out in her. The characters are nicely balanced. Even though there is a clear victim and a definite villain, they never seem stock. The story feels very real, partly because of this zeroed in effect, and the natural motivations for actions. I also like how even though Lainey is the "weaker" character, she has a stron...more
Nov 24, 2008
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-ya,
read-goodreads-authors
Couldn't put this one down. Jo Knowles did a creditable job of depicting a very complex relationship between two girls, from childhood into adolescence. In this story, one girl has a more domineering personality, and takes advantage, physically, mentally, and emotionally, of the other girl. They are co-dependent and don't realize it. The story is told in the first person by the weaker of the two girls, who tries to understand why she let herself be victimized and why she didn't see that her frie...more
Dec 26, 2008
Luke
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of Neal Shusterman
Shelves:
favoritebooks
This has to be one of the saddest, most thought-provoking, and most moving books I have read in my life. This book tells the story of Laine (whose nickname is Lainey), who's not too popular or pretty. But that's before she met Leah Greene. Leah is basically the opposite of Lainey. Leah is popular. Leah is pretty. She's smart. She's rich. She's everything Lainey wants to be.
But then things begin to get complicated. Leah begins to show interest in Lainey (or is she?). The times they share in Laine...more
But then things begin to get complicated. Leah begins to show interest in Lainey (or is she?). The times they share in Laine...more
I like the fact that the book has a good impact. Just not as hard as the impact I got from her other book See You at Harry's.
I'm not sure if judging a book should be based on the writing style or the personal view of the reader but anyway, I'll still give the book a triple star rating. Heck, I don't even think I should compare two completely different subjected books of the same author! But still, I figured that if Jo Knowles can make a book to a whole new level, a level to where the reader is s...more
I'm not sure if judging a book should be based on the writing style or the personal view of the reader but anyway, I'll still give the book a triple star rating. Heck, I don't even think I should compare two completely different subjected books of the same author! But still, I figured that if Jo Knowles can make a book to a whole new level, a level to where the reader is s...more
I liked this story and I thought that Laine's narration was compelling and honest. I was really drawn to this book because it acknowledged the sad truth that not all friendships are what they seem and that not every "BFF" is as supportive and honest as the supporting characters in most YA novels. In fact, I think that the manipulative relationship between Leah and Laine is much more common among young girls than many realize. All in all, Jo Knowles has done something special in presenting this d...more
This is yet another young adult book which deals with complex issues.
Laine is shy, unpopular and, unlike some in her high school, she is not exceedingly attractive. Thus, when Leah Greene who is rich, very popular and incredibly beautiful lures Laine into her inner circle, she loves the attention and the feeling of fitting in with the right click. Laine soon learns that there is a very high emotional price to pay.
Manipulated and emotionally abused by Leah, Laine is fearful of ending the relation...more
Laine is shy, unpopular and, unlike some in her high school, she is not exceedingly attractive. Thus, when Leah Greene who is rich, very popular and incredibly beautiful lures Laine into her inner circle, she loves the attention and the feeling of fitting in with the right click. Laine soon learns that there is a very high emotional price to pay.
Manipulated and emotionally abused by Leah, Laine is fearful of ending the relation...more
Everyone has a best friend. Someone they can trust with their life and their deepest secrets. For Laine that was Leah Greene. Leah Greene was the girl everyone wanted to be friends with, she was pretty, smart and popular. Leah was not a great friend, she was controlling and manipulative. Laine lived her life in Leah’s shadow. Laine and Leah weren’t typical best friends, they’d fight constantly and Leah would put Laine in situations no one would want to be in. After one summer of not seeing each...more
"I wonder if what she really means is See what it's like to be me? And all I can think is, Yes. This is pretty great. And you're great for sharing it with me. Today I'm really happy that Leah Greene is my friend." (27)
Y0wzers! This is a disTURBing book. Seriously. There aren't that many books where I get the heebie jeebies while reading it because they show a side of human nature that makes me shiver.
To say that LfaDG is about bullying and sexual abuse is putting it mildly. Laine is an insecure,...more
Y0wzers! This is a disTURBing book. Seriously. There aren't that many books where I get the heebie jeebies while reading it because they show a side of human nature that makes me shiver.
To say that LfaDG is about bullying and sexual abuse is putting it mildly. Laine is an insecure,...more
Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
After Leah Green is tragically killed, Laine reflects on their relationship as she tries to come to terms with the death. Leah and Lainey have been friends since they were little. As they were growing up they did everything together: had sleepovers, told secrets, played with dolls. But something was different about their friendship. Leah has a troubled past and was sexually abusive to Lainey, tell...more
After Leah Green is tragically killed, Laine reflects on their relationship as she tries to come to terms with the death. Leah and Lainey have been friends since they were little. As they were growing up they did everything together: had sleepovers, told secrets, played with dolls. But something was different about their friendship. Leah has a troubled past and was sexually abusive to Lainey, tell...more
Lainey and Leah are best friends ever since they were little girls. One day, Leah suggests that they should "practice" what older people do so that when they are older they already know how to do it. Lainey doesn't know how to deal with this and throughout this book, the reader really feels for both Leah and Lainey.
This must have been a tough subject to write about. Honestly, when I first saw this book I didn't pay too much attention to the synopsis. I thought it was about school bullying. I ha...more
This must have been a tough subject to write about. Honestly, when I first saw this book I didn't pay too much attention to the synopsis. I thought it was about school bullying. I ha...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Lessons from a dead girl Jo Knowles
copyright 2007 pages 1-215
I really liked this book. It caught my attention right away like at first I didnt like the book but then it started to get interesting.
The book is about these two girls Leah and Laine. It starts off on how Leah died but it didnt tell why so it makes you want to read more to find out. But then in about the second chapter it started to say how Laine was kind of relieved that Leah died and it started to explain why. Well it turns out that...more
copyright 2007 pages 1-215
I really liked this book. It caught my attention right away like at first I didnt like the book but then it started to get interesting.
The book is about these two girls Leah and Laine. It starts off on how Leah died but it didnt tell why so it makes you want to read more to find out. But then in about the second chapter it started to say how Laine was kind of relieved that Leah died and it started to explain why. Well it turns out that...more
Apart from the unique albeit disturbing premise of this book, it honestly didn't stand out all that much to me. Leah is a very screwed up kid and forces that onto Laine, tormenting and ruining her childhood. Neither girl really does anything to stop it and it just keeps snowballing. I knew this book dealt with kids abusing kids but I admit, I didn't realize they meant sexual abuse- and it follows logically that Leah had to learn those things from somewhere, even in 5th grade, to do them to Laine...more
This book...undoubtedly changed my life. I wrote the author and thanked her very much for being the only author I've ever seen to have the guts to write about this subject, because I'll tell you right now, this happens. I'm not even ashamed to tell you that for awhile I WAS Laine. I read this book and thought someone had been stalking me...lol. No, but it's not funny. It's serious and it's abuse and it really messes with you. My boyfriend even knows that for a couple of weeks while/after I read...more
This book is about a girl who encountered her past when her childhood friend comes back into her life, reminding her of the past that she most want to forget. The protagonist, Laine had not liked her so-called "best friend", Leah because as a little girl that did not understand much about Leah's condition, Laine hated how Leah would treat her and the homosexual things that she had done in the closet and throughout her life. Now that Leah is dead, Laine was forced to reflect back to the reasons t...more
“Leah Green is dead.”
From the first line of this book, the reader is drawn into a haunting, yet captivating novel of friendship abuse between young girls, Laine and Leah.
Laine is ecstatic that popular Leah chooses her as a best friend in elementary school. Laine finally feels like she “fits in” somewhere. This friendship takes a dark and disturbing turn, however, when Leah convinces Laine to “experiment” in Laine’s doll room. Neither girl knows what they are feeling or why they are feeling it. T...more
From the first line of this book, the reader is drawn into a haunting, yet captivating novel of friendship abuse between young girls, Laine and Leah.
Laine is ecstatic that popular Leah chooses her as a best friend in elementary school. Laine finally feels like she “fits in” somewhere. This friendship takes a dark and disturbing turn, however, when Leah convinces Laine to “experiment” in Laine’s doll room. Neither girl knows what they are feeling or why they are feeling it. T...more
Leah and Laine were "frenemies." Leah was always the popular, pretty one, but for some reason she picked Laine to be her friend. Laine wasn't really part of Leah's circle of popular friends - Laine was the friend who kept all of Leah's secrets, like the "practicing" they did in Laine's closet. Now Leah is dead, and Laine is remembering what Leah taught her about their twisted form of friendship.
This book had two agendas. There was the frenemy agenda that I think every girl who has gone through m...more
This book had two agendas. There was the frenemy agenda that I think every girl who has gone through m...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Nov 08, 2011
Aly (Fantasy4eva)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
fast-paced-and-engrossing,
i-ache-for-you
I came across this book a few years back, and for some reason - ever since I read the synopsis - it stayed with me for a long time. I always intended to buy it, so there was a sense of relief when I finally received my copy today. Its been a long wait.
Laine' best friend is dead. But she feels an array of emotions. There's a part of her that is torn up, filled with grief but she also feels relief. The book then follows how the two met, eventually went their separate way only to meet up again and...more
Laine' best friend is dead. But she feels an array of emotions. There's a part of her that is torn up, filled with grief but she also feels relief. The book then follows how the two met, eventually went their separate way only to meet up again and...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book is the first of it's kind that I read. I've read other sexual abused characters in other books, but it's a first time that the abuse was to a girl from a girl. Nevertheless, our story plays out as Leah, the abuser who ruined and shred the childhood of her so called best friend forever Laine. Laine then reflects on the events that lead up to Leah's death and how traumatic it was.
At first, I couldn't really tell she was being sexually abused til 3-5 chapters in. But that was probably jus...more
At first, I couldn't really tell she was being sexually abused til 3-5 chapters in. But that was probably jus...more
What if your best friend died, and it was partially your fault? In Jo Knowles’ Lessons From a Dead Girl, the struggle betweentwo friendsgrowing apart further with age and new friends makes it hard to be friends…with a dead girl. Laine reflects on her past with Leah Greene, the popular, beautiful, self-centered,dead one.
Leah Greene, the most loved girl in school, is dead. Laine’s “friend forever” since 5thgrade, Leah put’s Laine through terror,love, and fright. She is the most loved girl in sch...more
Leah Greene, the most loved girl in school, is dead. Laine’s “friend forever” since 5thgrade, Leah put’s Laine through terror,love, and fright. She is the most loved girl in sch...more
The facts were these:
Leah Greene, age 18, four months, twelve days, eleven hours and twenty-three minutes,* died in some kind of accident.** Her best friend, or friend forever, was Laine McCarthy,*** who narrates the story in present tense from the day she and Leah became besties to the day of Leah's unfortunate "accident." Each chapter contains one lesson learned, as well as some horribly traumatic details of both Laine's and Leah's lives.
Also, it's a decidedly compulsive read, well-structured,...more
Leah Greene, age 18, four months, twelve days, eleven hours and twenty-three minutes,* died in some kind of accident.** Her best friend, or friend forever, was Laine McCarthy,*** who narrates the story in present tense from the day she and Leah became besties to the day of Leah's unfortunate "accident." Each chapter contains one lesson learned, as well as some horribly traumatic details of both Laine's and Leah's lives.
Also, it's a decidedly compulsive read, well-structured,...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Hi! I'm the author of Living With Jackie Chan (coming Sept. 2013), See You At Harry's, Pearl, Jumping Off Swings, and Lessons From A Dead Girl. I support libraries and independent booksellers. If you'd like to purchase one of my books, please consider doing so through a local independent bookseller. You can find one near you by going to www.indiebound.org Or, you can ask your local library to purc...more
More about Jo Knowles...
Share This Book
2 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“We only hate what we don't understand.”
—
12 people liked it
“I have this friend, Jake," Mr. Mitchell says, sitting on the edge of his desk. "One day, I needed a favor. It wasn't a big favor, but I called him and told him I needed something. Know what he said?"
We shake our heads.
"He said, 'Sure.' Before he eve knew what i was going to ask him. You know why?"
We shake our heads again.
"Because he trusted me not to ask him to do something he couldn't or wouldn't want to do. He knew that whatever i asked for, he would help me simply because he was my friend and I needed help. That's true friendship.”
—
11 people liked it
More quotes…
We shake our heads.
"He said, 'Sure.' Before he eve knew what i was going to ask him. You know why?"
We shake our heads again.
"Because he trusted me not to ask him to do something he couldn't or wouldn't want to do. He knew that whatever i asked for, he would help me simply because he was my friend and I needed help. That's true friendship.”
Mar 15, 2011 06:51pm