Everyone in Muessa Junction hates Monalisa Kent. After all, she was the thickwit who blowtorched the futon factory—the town's heart, soul, and bread and butter. So what if she was just six at the time? Junctioners don't forgive and forget.

And now it's the 10th anniversary of the blaze that fried Mona's supposed life. In the past 10 years, her bitter town resurrected itself through the divine intervention of the fast food industry. But there is no absolution for Mona—they still hate the sorry sight of her. And Mona doesn't like them either.

At 16 she's dyed her hair blue, found her place at the local tattoo parlor, and taken to memorizing bumper sticker sayings instead of dealing with people. But disappearing is never that easy, especially with blue hair. And in her efforts to retreat, Mona has forgotten the oldest bumper sticker in the book: "No matter how deep you bury the past, it always climbs out to bite you in the butt."

This book is on these lists:

• January 2012 Indie Next List
• December 2011 Indie Next List
• November 2011 Indie Next List