• Age: 12 to 15
• Grade: 7 to 10
• Reading age: 12 to 15

Short-listed for the 2010 CLA Young Adult Book Award
Tabby Freeman and Lora Froggett go to the same school, but they live in totally opposite worlds. Tabby is rich, pretty, and the most popular girl in her class. But behind closed doors, her perfect life is rapidly coming apart at the seams.
On the other side, Lora is smart, timid, and the constant target of bullies. While struggling to survive the piranha-infested halls of her school, she becomes increasingly nervous that somebody might discover the unbearable truth about whats been happening to her family.
Despite their differences, Tabby and Lora have something in common theyre both harbouring dark secrets and a lot of pain. Although theyve never been friends, a series of strange events causes their lives to crash together in ways neither could have ever imagined. And when the dust finally settles and all their secrets are forced out into the light, will the girls be saved or destroyed?

DEBORAH KERBEL a écrit des livres pour les jeunes adultes, les préadolescents et les lecteurs débutants. Ses romans ont été présélectionnés pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général, le prix du livre de l’année pour les jeunes adultes de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques et le Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. Elle vit à Toronto avec son mari, ses deux adolescents et Freddie, leur chien adopté.

DEBORAH KERBEL was born in London, England, and now lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, son and daughter, and a rescue dog named Freddie. Deborah has written a number of picture books, and is the author of four young adult and two middle-grade novels, including My Deal with the Universe. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and many readers’ choice awards. Visit her online at www.deborahkerbel.com.

Deborah Kerbel's profile page

• Short-listed, CLA Young Adult Book Award

"The novel depends largely on these two main characters and therein lies the strength of the book ... Kerbel gives her readers a fast-paced and intriguing plot, many memorable scenes and an insightful look into the emotions of two very real teenage girl ... Girl on the Other Side is a novel which is entertaining yet thought-provoking at the same time, and it will have great appeal for many female young adult readers." - Ann Ketcheson

CM Magazine

This book tells a story that sets a perfect example of why teenagers should not judge each other and try to be friends with those who are different than themselves. Girl on the Other Side was highly emotional and therefore a great motivator for humans to try to understand each other. The vocabulary was accurate with what teenagers would actually say, and they way that the chapters were organized (going back and forth between the two girls) helped the flow of the book. Also, readers would be able to get inside both of the heads of the characters and make connections. I recommend this book to high school females.

Flamingnet.com

"Kerbel's depictions of each girl's very different brands of personal pain are stirring. "

Publishers Weekly

"This novel would be good for students, particularly girls, who are interested in a good story or who are having a hard time in school - it might help them know- just as it helped Tabby and Lara - that there is someone else who understands."

Resource Links

"I would highly recommend Girl On the Other Side to teen and adult readers alike. In short, anyone who has ever been bullied, bullied someone else, or thought that the bullying of others was wrong will be moved by Kerbels story."

YA Bookshelf (YA blog)