Private (Private, Book 1) [Paperback]

Kate Brian (Author), Julian Peploe (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2006

Tradition, Honor, Excellence...and secrets so dark they're almost invisible

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan wins a scholarship to Easton Academy -- the golden ticket away from her pill-popping mother and run-of-the-mill suburban life. But when she arrives on the beautiful, tradition-steeped campus of Easton, everyone is just a bit more sophisticated, a bit more gorgeous, and a lot wealthier than she ever thought possible. Reed realizes that even though she has been accepted to Easton, Easton has not accepted her. She feels like she's on the outside, looking in.

Until she meets the Billings Girls.

They are the most beautiful, intelligent, and intensely confident girls on campus. And they know it. They hold all the power in a world where power is fleeting but means everything. Reed vows to do whatever it takes to be accepted into their inner circle.

Reed uses every part of herself -- the good, the bad, the beautiful -- to get closer to the Billings Girls. She quickly discovers that inside their secret parties and mountains of attitude, hanging in their designer clothing-packed closets the Billings Girls have skeletons. And they'll do anything to keep their secrets private.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Reed Brennan is nervous as she begins her sophomore year as a transfer student at prestigious Easton Academy. All of the other students are richer than she could ever believe, and she immediately finds that she's in way over her head academically. She determines that she'll do anything to keep from flunking out and going back to her dreary home. Reed aspires to be just like the beautiful and brilliant girls who live in the luxurious Billings dorm, but she has little hope of ever being accepted into that elite crowd. Somehow, though, she edges in and barely notices their cruelty because she's so grateful to be tossed the crumbs of their kindness. Although her experiences could have resulted in nine months of insight, the teen doesn't seem to make much progress in understanding herself or the larger world around her. The story has major gaps in plot development and background. Too many elements are left hanging or unexplained, such as why Reed can't empathize at all with her mother's pain-killer addiction following a long-ago accident, her lack of a relationship with her brother, her oddly unemotional loss of virginity, and any sort of character development in the Billings girls. Readers might feel as if they've missed the first 10 minutes of a 30-minute TV show, and the ending is choppy and unsatisfying. Steer readers to Brian's earlier (and better-written) titles.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Kate Brian is the author of the NY Times and USA Today best-selling Private series and it's spin-off series, Privilege. She has also written many other books for teens including Sweet 16 and Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416918736
• ISBN-13: 978-1416918738
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Popularity

More About the Author

I am a total Jersey girl. I grew up in Bergen County, went to Rutgers University, lived in Hoboken for a year (requisite post-college party time) and then moved back to Bergen, got married, and bought a house ten minutes from where I grew up. I graduated from Rutgers with a double major in English and Journalism, worked as an Editor for four years, then decided I liked writing better and struck out on my own. You've been reading my books ever since!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As addicting as hot chocolate on a cold, winters day., June 23, 2006

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Private (Private, Book 1) (Paperback)

Fifteen-year-old Reed Brennan has never known a happy childhood. For one, her mother is bitter and nasty who likes to chase her sorrow with pain killers, and rain unhappiness on the entire family. And two, she's never had the money to make a better name for herself. That is, until she's accepted into Easton Academy, a prestigious, private boarding school that houses some of the most privileged and intelligent students in the country. Suddenly, Reed realizes that she's not in Kansas anymore, and is quickly sucked into the gorgeous, sophistication and wealth that surrounds her at Easton. Then she realizes something even more treacherous, just because she's been admitted to Easton, doesn't mean the students have truly accepted her. Then she meets the Billings Girls. The Billings Girls are the most talented, beautiful, intelligent, confident girls on campus. They also hold the power that Reed so badly craves. So when she finds herself being permitted into their little clique, she will do anything they want to be accepted - from stealing to acting like their slave. But soon, amidst all their glamorous, secret parties, and attitude, Reed discovers that the Billings Girls aren't exactly what they seem. In fact, they're completely different than they appear from the outside, giving great use of the phrase "looks can be deceiving." For, the Billings Girls have skeletons in their closets. Skeletons that they will do anything to keep secret, and locked away. In private.

Kate Brian never ceases to amaze me regarding the creativity and imagination that she uses to weave remarkable, enjoyable stories. And that creativity and imagination is certainly not lost on PRIVATE. The fact that Brian combines privilege, power, mysteries, and money together to create this exhilarating new novel is only the icing on the cake. Reed is an intriguing character, whose cravings for something beyond her boring suburban life are impeccably described, leaving a taste in the readers mouth that indicates exactly how much Reed wants to be one of the "It" girls; while the supporting characters around her - Noelle, Ariana, Taylor, Kiran, and the at-times adorable Thomas - make the story that much more exciting and enjoyable, while at the same time presenting a very "real" vibe that brings the characters to life. PRIVATE will send readers racing to the closest bookstore, in an attempt to learn about the secret world that the over-privileged inhabit; while at the same time craving an invitation of their own. As addicting as hot chocolate on a cold, winters day.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Another Teen Series !, March 27, 2007

By 

Danix15 "Danix15" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Private (Private, Book 1) (Paperback)

When I saw this at the bookstore, I honestly thought to myself, "Oh, great. Another story about snobby rich girls." However enjoyable these plots may be, I wanted something different. I totally underestimated this book at first glance.
Boy was I wrong.
Sure, this book has the usual teen angst & pressure to fit in, but it also has something else...mystery. Now, for all of you reading this, you're probably thinking "*yawn* If I wanted mystery, I'd go read some Nancy Drew." Well, don't think that way! This is a great series, & each book ends in a cliff-hanger. Take it from someone who's read all those other books, such as THE CLIQUE, GOSSIP GIRL, & THE A-LIST; this is def. worth a read! Just make sure to hold onto your couch...there are shockers ahead!
The only downside to these books?
You have to wait a few months to find out the conclusion of the newest twist.
So, go ahead. Add this to your cart. I promise you won't be disappointed. =]

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Un-put-down-able!!!, January 30, 2007

By 

Saiida M - See all my reviews

This review is from: Private (Private, Book 1) (Paperback)

Is that a word? If not,then this book will create it. I knew the moment I picked it up in the store that it would be a keeper. Reed Brennen is a typical girl like any other. She has the typical teen needs and qualities like fitting in with the masses and the sometimes dangerous desires of acceptance from a particularly dangerous group. It was amazing to me what lurkes in the mind of little girls. As a writer I appreciate the fact that K. Brian utilized poetic license and created a world in which we all live in and identify with. I am a writer and educator and I sympathize with the troubles that face these students.