Can A Book About The Power Of Lies Reveal "The Truth About Alice"?

Title:  The Truth About Alice
Author:  Jennifer Mathieu
Format:  ERC
Length:  208 pages
Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press
Rating:  5 Stars

Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.  -Goodreads 

My Thoughts
Sadly, stories of mass bulling have become almost common place.  Never before however, has there been a story told from the bullies (in this case there are more than one) points of view.
What we have in the case of The Truth About Alice, is the perfect blend of small town nosiness, coupled with a smattering of he said/she said, a cup or two of jealousy, and a pinch or two of lies.  When all of this is allowed to simmer in apathy; what you have is a recipe for destruction.  The destruction of Alice Franklin, in this case.
The biggest draw of this story is the fact that it cold happen to anyone.  You never know what secrets people hide behind their smiles.  It soon becomes clear that Alice is not the monster that they make her out to be.
She is simply a girl, who like any other girl has made mistakes and is trying to live her life.
This book cuts to the core of what it means to be a scapegoat.  The fall-guy for others' shortcomings, unfulfilled desires, fears and insecurities.