Daughters of Eve

A compulsive, crafted read about an exclusive, loyal sisterhood at Modesta High School led by their forceful mentor Irene Stark, who believes 'Women have to band together, because when it comes right down to it, our women friends are all we have'. The feminist message is inescapable throughout but it's not necessarily preachy - in fact, in many ways, the most strident protagonists attract little sympathy, more deserved dislike and distrust. Definitely a novel to make adolescents think. It's a shame males are unlikely to pick it up.