The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman is about Jared and Cheryl, best friends who share a similar problem: they are both ALWAYS second best. For Jared, he is always beat out in the track meets by his teammate and long-time foe, Austin Pace. For Cheryl, it's her cousin, Rebecca, who is a better singer and actress. Not only do these "Number Ones" always beat out Jared and Cheryl, they both can't seem to help rubbing their faces in it. One day, Cheryl and Jared have had enough. They form the Shadow Club and invite other second-best kids from their school to join. The purpose of their club is simple - revenge. They each take delight in pulling simple practicle jokes on the other club members' archrivals. Unfortunately, just when the kids decide to quit their pranks, someone else has different ideas. Someone has infiltrated their club and begins pulling pranks on the "Number Ones" that are more serious, and even dangerous. Jared, Cheryl, and the other club members think they know who it is, and do their best to pull the confession out of him. However, things start to get out of hand, people start getting seriously hurt, and the school vice-principal gets involved.I really liked this book! I can easily see how kids who never live up to their own expectations for themselves and are constantly taunted can think only of revenge. I thought the ending had a few twists I wasn't expecting. There is a sequel, The Shadow Club Rising, that I will be reading soon. I really like Neal Shusterman and this book didn't let me down!
