Elisa Ludwig (Twitter, Facebook,website)
Book I in a series
Genre: YA – Mystery/Suspense
publication: March 13th 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books
copy received from publisher
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synopsis from goodreads
Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple.
Take from the rich kids at valley prep and give to the poor ones.
Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her new high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”—known to everyone as the Glitterati—without them suspecting a thing is far from easy. Learning how to break into lockers and Beemers is as hard as she’d thought it would be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are bullied just for being different, is more fun than she’d expected.
The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, VP’s most notorious ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her—evening the social playing field between the haves and have-nots. There’s no time for flirting, especially with conceited trust-funders like Aidan. But when the cops start investigating the string of thefts at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could Aidan wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?
Elisa Ludwig’s Pretty Crooked is the first book in an adventurous teen caper series filled with mystery, humor, and heart.
What a fun?!?! When I read the synopsis I knew this book would be something to read when in the mood for something light and fun! Â Also, I’m a big big fan of Robin Hood so the synopsis really sold me!
Modern Robin Hood Tale – with a twist and .. fun!
At Willa’s new school everything is about appearance, about wearing the right clothes and about who to talk to. The typical rich school, right? But, Willa was never used to be “rich” and didn’t grow up with that much money which is why she cannot accept and tolerate the bullying the “mean” girls do. Which is why at some point decides to ..act! First on impulse, then systematically planning! She goes deeper and deeper into the “Robin Hood” mood and … suddenly she’s too deep to get out! In the middle of all this there is also another mystery that takes part of the plot which I’m so eager to find out more about! That’s all I’m going to say – I don’t want to spoil the mystery for you!
Will a protagonist which is part naive part heroic
I still cannot decide if Willa is just way to naive or totally heroic. Anyway, I did love her!! Her heart most definitely is at the right place and she only wanted to right some wrongs. Of course, I cannot agree with how she went about this, but.. truthfully it was tons of fun following her journey to become a criminal. Willa is a wonderful young girl who hates how her new rich friends treat the “poor” ones and she realizes how wrong this is. And, it takes a lot of her to step up and do something instead of just tolerating!
Mean Girls, Bullying and some cute boys!
Seriously! What else do you need to make a story round and fun? The mean girls are really mean and they way they treated the unfortunate kids was harsh and horrible! Elisa Ludwig did a wonderful job portraying the very important issue of bullying and I loved to see that apart from Will also other girls started to open their eyes!
Then of course we have the cute boys! Oh how we need them! And, we get them!! Aidan is awesome! I loved him so much! He was one of the super rich crowd, yet he didn’t care – on the contrary he wanted to be different and did everything he could to appear as the trouble maker and the bad boy. Yet, in his heart he wasn’t the bad boy at all!! He’s a wonderful deep character which we only begun here to understand and I hope to see more of him!
Bottom Line
I had so much fun with this book! It was a page turner which addresses the important topic of bullying in a funny but also very heart warming way. I had so much fun with this book! It was a page turner which addresses the important topic of bullying in a funny but also very heart warming way.There are kids who see that there is something truly wrong with the way underprivileged kids are treated and instead of just watching – they decided to do some something. Willa was a beautiful character,  I love her and her values! Fantastic debut in refreshing new series about values and kids that try to work on changes instead of watching!
Random Notes and Additional Info:Â I was so stunned when I realized at the end that this is not a Stand Alone but rather a series. While I was reading I was always thinking “How the end can this end in just a few pages”. Well, there is a sequel which is called “Pretty Sly” and comes out March next year!
Much Love!
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I thought this was a really fun story as well! I did want to know more about some of the different elements that kind of came to a head at the end, but I guess that's what the next books in the series are for right? And I want to know Aiden a little better, I didn't feel like I knew all that much about him. I need more info on cute boys Danny!
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Yes I totally know what you mean. When the book was getting towards the end, I even was a little frustrated because I was sure not all problems/mysteries could have been sold until the end. Which is why I was happy to see that there is a sequel!!! Looking forward to it.
And YES for cute byos and more of Aidan!
My recent post Review: Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
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This sounds like a really fun read! I am wondering how it addresses bullying and what everyone will take/learn from it! I look forward to reading this one, thanks for such a detailed and awesome review 🙂
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Thanks Margie for your comment! I really loved this book and I think Mrs Ludwig managed to pack this important issue into a very sweet and cute surrounding story. It doesn't feel like this is the main subject of the book, but still prominent enough to make you think! Perfect balance in my opinion:)
My recent post Review: Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
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I recently added this to my TBR list, glad to see that you liked it!
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Oh great! I hope you'll like it!
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Im always looking for something fun to read… especially in between some of the serious or depressing novels I review….:D Great review Danny!!!
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This one is definitely on the fun side! And I know what you mean, sometimes one just needs something to laugh, something easy and light! There, Pretty Crooked perfectly delivers!
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Your review has made me reconsider wanting to read this one – I was thinking that this one may not be for me, but now I think I may want to read it 🙂
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Oh no it was really fun!!! I also didn't notice it so much in the beginning but I was glad I read it! Willa is such an awesome character and.. I can't wait to hear more about Aidan!! *wooot*
My recent post My Reading Spot – Featuring Danny
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gr8 review danny
i am looking forward to it
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