Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
Little, Brown and Company, New York: 2002
ISBN: 0-316-91033-3

Plot Summary:
Gossip Girl is narrated by a writer who goes by the name "Gossip Girl," and publishes gossip on her website about the rich teens with drinking problems on New York's Upper East Side. The story begins with the return of Serena van der Woodsen from boarding school. Rumors are flying about why she was kicked out of school and is now back at Constance Billard. Mostly they have her pegged as a slut and drug addict. She herself says she was "very bad" at school, though later reveals that she was kicked out for simply not showing up to class the first few weeks of school.

Serena is being shunned by her former friends, namely her best friend Blair Waldorf who is threatened by Serena's beauty and does nothing to stop the gossip about her. Serena eventually befriends the artsy film maker, Vanessa and her friend Dan, who has had a crush on Serena for a long time. Nate, who has also loved Serena for a long time decides to settle with Blair at the end.

Critical Evaluation:
For all the hype around this book, it really wasn't as racy as I expected it to be. The characters talk more about sex (not graphically though) than they actually do it. I also expected the book to be poorly written, which it wasn't. The device of having a gossip columnist comment on the activity was kind of cute. However, nothing much happens in this book. The characters get drunk, smoke, and talk about each other, but they really don't do much of anything. It's all fluff and no substance.

Reader’s Annotation:
The infamous Serena van der Woodsen is back, but will the life she use to live be waiting for her?

Information about the Author:
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in Connecticut and commuted to Manhattan to attend the private prep-school, Nightingale-Bamford. The novel is based on her real-life experiences with students like the characters. She now lives in Brooklyn.

Genre: contemporary fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about the beautiful Serena van der Woodsen and the mystery that surrounds her return from boarding school. Then I would talk about her trouble fitting back into her old life and what she does to start a new one.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
The reading level is low, however, the novel would probably be appropriate for ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for a number of reasons, the characters talk about sex, are constantly drinking and smoking cigarettes and pot and there is some profanity as well. I would explain the popularity of the series and the library's selection policy, then give the challenger a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I was trying to avoid reading this book, then I saw it on the list of "contemporary fiction" in the textbook Teen Genreflecting, and happened to run across it at a used book store. I figured it was probably something I should be aware of since so many teens were reading it.