Neighborhood Girls

A powerful coming-of-age story about a girl whose encounters with loss, broken friendships, and newfound faith leave her forever changed, from Printz Honor winner and Morris Award Finalist Jessie Ann Foley

When Wendy Boychuck’s father, a Chicago cop, was escorted from their property in handcuffs, she knew her life would never be the same. Her father gets a years-long jail sentence, her family falls on hard times, and the whispers around their neighborhood are impossible to ignore. If that wasn’t bad enough, she gets jumped walking home from a party one night. Wendy quickly realizes that in order to survive her father’s reputation, she’ll have to make one for herself.

Then Wendy meets Kenzie Quintana—a foul-mouthed, Catholic uniform-skirt-hiking alpha—and she knows immediately that she’s found her savior. Kenzie can provide Wendy with the kind of armor a girl needs when she’s trying to outrun her father’s past. Add two more mean girls to the mix—Sapphire and Emily—and Wendy has found herself in Academy of the Sacred Heart’s most feared and revered clique. Makeover complete.

But complete is far from what Wendy feels. Instead, she faces the highs and lows of a toxic friendship, the exhaustion that comes with keeping up appearances, and a shattering loss—the only one that could hurt more than losing herself.

“Compelling coming-of-age story. Wry, sophisticated narrative voice. This is a thoughtful, moving portrait of a complex girl on the verge of finding her moral compass.” - The Horn Book

“A blistering coming-of-age story. This is a heartbreakingly modern representation of a city at the heart of America, propelled by Wendy’s singular, matter-of-fact voice.” - Booklist (starred review)

“A riveting tale about a troubled teen finding her way through the wilds of high school life.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Vibrant and convincing writing with realistic outcomes by a Morris Award finalist and Printz honoree make this a winner.” - School Library Journal

“Foley creates narrative intimacy through a textured mix of high school drama, family dynamics, ripped-from-the-headlines scenarios, a richly drawn setting, hints of the supernatural, and heartfelt grief. This compelling portrait of real life, with all of its messes, mistakes, and compromises, will inspire girls to see their ordinary neighborhoods in a new light.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Foley creates narrative intimacy through a mix of high school drama, family dynamics, ripped-from-the-headlines scenarios, a richly drawn setting, hints of the supernatural, and heartfelt grief. This compelling portrait of real life, with all of its messes, mistakes, and compromises, will inspire girls.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books