Pushing Perfect

A girl’s quest for perfection results in dangerous consequences in this smart, suspenseful YA novel by the author of Playlist for the Dead. Fans of We Were Liars and The Secret History will devour this layered, ensemble-cast novel in which “twists and turns abound” (SLJ).

How far would you go to be perfect?

Kara has the perfect life. At least, that’s what she wants everyone to believe. The truth is, she works hard to maintain that illusion.

But when a moment of doubt leads Kara to do something risky—and illegal—someone sees. Before she knows it, she’s drawn into an unlikely group of classmates, all bound together by secrets of their own. Secrets that are being used against them.

Soon Kara is forced to confront how far she’s willing to go to be perfect—and if that’s something she really wants to be.

“Reminiscent of the novels of Joan Lowery Nixon and Lois Duncan, this mystery set in a modern-day well-to-do suburb in California will keep readers turning the pages.” —School Library Journal

“Full of well-developed, diverse supporting characters. For teens who enjoy mysteries in the form of timely, realistic fiction.” —Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Readers will be kept guessing.” —Kirkus Reviews

One risky choice. Four unlikely allies. And a blackmailer who knows everything.

• Academic Pressure: Kara, a girl nicknamed “Perfect Kara,” believes a flawless SAT score is her only ticket out. The need to succeed will push her to do the unthinkable.
• An Unlikely Friendship: When her secret gets out, Kara is forced into an alliance with a group of classmates she barely knows—a poker player, a flirt, and a theater kid.
• Blackmail Thriller: A series of anonymous, threatening texts proves someone knows all their secrets. Now they’re being forced to do things they never imagined, with no idea who to trust.
• A Dangerous Quest for Perfection: This suspenseful young adult mystery explores the dark side of striving to be perfect and asks how far you’d go to protect the life you’ve built.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO BE PERFECT?

Kara has the perfect life.

She gets perfect grades.

She has perfect skin.

She never messes up.

Until now. Because perfection is an illusion, and Kara has been struggling to maintain it for as long as she can remember. To live up to the pressure, she does something she never thought she’d do. Something risky—and illegal.

Before she knows it, Kara’s life veers wildly off its perfect course. She finds herself part of an unlikely group of classmates, all bound together by secrets of their own. Secrets that could destroy them. Humiliate them. Even land them in jail.

Secrets that are being used against them.

Soon Kara is forced to confront how far she’s willing to go to be perfect. Because if she doesn’t follow the rules, her perfect future will go up in flames.

I had nothing to lose. Nothing I cared about, anyway. I put the pill in my mouth and swallowed.

“Falkoff treats a difficult topic with delicacy and care.” - Publishers Weekly

“A nice premise with some truly powerful moments.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Debut author Falkoff lightens the substantial topics of grief, bullying, and suicide with Sam’s engaging investigation.” - ALA Booklist

“Realistic and well–written…The strong characters, dialogue and the use of the playlist to structure the book make this a good pick for struggling readers. - School Library Journal

Praise for Playlist for the Dead: “An absorbing and sensitive read.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“[A] debut novel that limns the shifting boundaries of teen friendship, loyalty and identity. Playlist takes the expected conventions of stories about teen grief and turns them inside out, keeping readers guessing until the final chapters.” - Austin American-Statesman

“Twists and turns abound. Reminiscent of the novels of Joan Lowery Nixon and Lois Duncan with its methodical uncovering of clues and multiple red herrings, this mystery set in a modern-day well-to-do suburb in California will keep readers turning the pages.” - School Library Journal

“Readers will be kept guessing.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Full of well-developed, diverse supporting characters. This is recommended for teens who enjoy mysteries in the form of timely, realistic fiction.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)