The It Girl (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Cecily von Ziegesar (contributor), ghostwriter |
| Products | Young adult novels |
The It Girl is the inaugural novel in the The It Girl collection, released in 2005. Crafted by a ghostwriter with contributions from Cecily von Ziegesar, this work serves as a spin-off of the Gossip Girl series, aimed at a young adult audience. The narrative centers on Jenny Humphrey as she begins attending an exclusive boarding school located in Upstate New York.
Plot
Following her expulsion from her former school, Jenny Humphrey enrolls at the distinguished Waverly Academy with the intention of redefining her identity. She becomes roommates with well-known students Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt, taking over the room previously occupied by the expelled Tinsley Carmichael.
At an initial social gathering, Jenny encounters Heath Ferro, who subsequently makes a false allegation that they were intimate. Concurrently, Callie’s troubled relationship with her boyfriend Easy Walsh becomes more complex when Easy visits Jenny’s room. To evade consequences, Callie shifts the blame onto Jenny, resulting in both students facing a disciplinary review.
Callie’s teammate, Celine Colista, urges her to single out Jenny for hazing during a field hockey game. Jenny cleverly turns this prank to her benefit, enhancing her social standing. During Heath’s party, Easy and Jenny openly recognize their mutual attraction.
Despite suffering from hangovers, the team participates in a scrimmage the following day. Conflicts intensify as Brett initiates an affair with advisor Eric Dalton and ends her relationship with Jeremiah. Callie attempts to win back Easy’s affection but is unsuccessful; their subsequent argument culminates in their breakup.
At the disciplinary hearing, Easy is found responsible but receives a lenient penalty due to his legacy status. As Jenny and her roommates celebrate this outcome, Dean Marymount announces the return of Tinsley Carmichael.
Trivia
- Hope Hicks, who later became White House Communications Director in September 2017, served as the cover model for the first illustrated edition.