I read a lot of YA, and every so often, I come across a book that makes me really wish it had been around for me to read when I was in the target demographic. Because, hot damn, it's good, and it could have really affected me as a teenager.

The Mockingbirds is a book about justice, and of finding yourself again after a personal tragedy. After being date-raped, Alex turns to The Mockingbirds, Themis Academy's underground judicial court run by the students without any knowledge of the administration. I admit that when I first heard the premise, it sounded a little hokey. But Whitney really made the plot work. Her characters were very believable and real. Her Mockingbirds was incredibly thought out, and after reading the afterword, I found the story that much deeper and richer because it was Whitney's story, and personal. ( )

Link to my full review. ( )

I thought this was a very good story that was well written. ( )

I thought this was a very good story that was well written. ( )

Although a few of the characters were a bit flat and contrived this is a very impressive first novel. It handles a delicate subject very tactfully and with great grace. It sends a very positive message for those readers that are in the same predicament as Alex. ( )