Neighborhood Girls

Wendy Boychuck enters her senior year at a Catholic high school on Chicago's North Side with a damaged reputation. Her father, a former Chicago police officer, has been convicted of corruption, leaving Wendy to navigate both personal grief and public scrutiny. At school, Wendy finds herself drawn into a clique of popular girls known as the "neighborhood girls" - a group with deep roots in the working-class area. As she forms new friendships and confronts relationship challenges, Wendy must reconcile her shifting identity with her family's past. Between her father's imprisonment, her mother's withdrawal, and the pressures of senior year, Wendy faces decisions about loyalty, truth, and her own path forward. Her story unfolds against the backdrop of a close-knit Chicago neighborhood where reputation and family history carry significant weight. This coming-of-age novel examines how teenagers navigate the intersection of family legacy, personal identity, and social belonging in a community where everyone knows everyone else's business.

Readers emphasize the authentic portrayal of Catholic school life and Chicago neighborhoods. The coming-of-age story resonates with those who attended religious schools or grew up in tight-knit urban communities. Readers appreciate: - Raw, honest depiction of teenage friendships - Complex family dynamics - Strong sense of place and neighborhood culture - Main character Wendy's realistic growth and flaws Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some plot threads left unresolved - Secondary characters need more development - Content too mature for younger YA readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (30+ ratings) One reader noted: "The Catholic school details brought me right back to my own high school experience." Another criticized: "The story meanders too much before reaching its conclusion." Many readers recommend it for older teens and adults rather than younger YA audiences due to mature themes.

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🔖 Author Jessie Ann Foley drew from her own experiences growing up in Chicago's Northwest side when crafting the novel's setting and atmosphere. 📚 The book won the Helen Sheehan YA Book Prize before its publication, which led to its eventual release by HarperTeen in 2017. ⭐ The story tackles themes of Catholic school culture and its impact on teenage identity, reflecting the author's background as a former Catholic school teacher. 🏆 Foley's debut novel "The Carnival at Bray" was named a Printz Honor Book, establishing her reputation for writing compelling coming-of-age stories before "Neighborhood Girls." 📖 The protagonist's father's criminal background was inspired by real Chicago police corruption cases, particularly those involving the department's Special Operations Section in the early 2000s.