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The mark of an exceptional novel is that it makes you feel you have been transported to another time or place, and this book did both for me with such ease I forgot I was reading. "Pet," by Catherine Chidgey, is the story of 12-year-old Justine, as she processes the recent death of her mother in 1980s New Zealand. When she goes back to school after a summer of grief and growing up too early, she meets her stunningly beautiful new teacher, Mrs.

Price. Within moments of encountering her, Justine and the rest of her classmates have fallen in love, and everyone is willing to do anything in order to win her favor. As the story unfolds, Justine finds her way into Mrs.



Price’s good graces and becomes, of course, her pet. But just when things seem like they couldn’t get any better, strange things begin to happen in the classroom. My eyes were glued to the pages as I witnessed the betrayals, manipulation and odd circumstances that Mrs.

Price seemed to bring with her. Thrilling and engaging, "Pet" draws you along in a literary journey that not only keeps you guessing, but makes you contemplate larger topics such as grief, friendship and acceptance. The theme of childhood innocence makes you feel fiercely protective of Justine and her classmates.

Mrs. Price seems so perfect on the outside with her shiny red lips and perfectly teased hair, but as she interacts with the children, you get a sense of wrongness. What is this woman’s story and why does something just feel — off? Once .

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