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Canterwood Crest #13
Initiation
It's The new girls are taking the spotlight at Canterwood Crest!Lauren has moved around enough to have the "new girl" code Lay low.2. But not too low.3. Don't amubush the in crowd.But Canterwood isn't just any school. And Lauren is about to face an initiation unlike any she's ever encountered. Bon chance, Lauren--you're going to need it!
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
39 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Burkhart
137 books628 followersJessica Burkhart is the author of the best-selling Canterwood Crest series which has sold over 1.6 million copies in multiple languages. She has also written the Unicorn Magic series, the YA novel Wild Hearts, and edited a YA anthology--Life Inside My Mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 29, 2015
*sigh* It's great that the book series continues, but I would have liked to have more on Sasha. At least the author could have put a chapter with Sasha's point of view in it. I miss Sasha and her drama.....
September 5, 2019
it was okay... but i miss sasha silver but they should definitly make a t.v. show about this
April 30, 2018
Personal response:
I really liked this book because it dealt with horses. I liked how this book talked about the struggles of going to a new school and getting to know everyone. I also liked how this book showed some of the perks of having horses.
Plot:
In the beginning of this book, Lauren arrived at Canterwood and was in her dorm room. While she was waiting for her roomate to get there, she chose her side of the room. When her roomate got there, Lauren thought she was mad because she had played the mean girl act. Khloe apologized and introduced herself. After things got settled down, Khloe asked Lauren if she wanted to meet her horse: Ever. When they reached Ever’s stall, Clare walked up to them and introduced herself to Lauren. Khloe and Clare were friends the previous year and still were. Riley walked up to them and gave a rude introduction to Lauren. Riley was friends with Clare but not Khloe. Riley went right after Khloe because she was trying out for the play also. After all of that happened, Khloe decided to get something to eat. The next day, Khloe and Lauren decided to put away their clothes and decorate their room. Once they finished, their room had a mixture of light yellow and light blue. That night Khloe and Lauren went into the common room and made some tea. Khloe also introduced Lauren to her friend, Lexa.
The next day was Lauren's first day at Canterwood. Before they started classes, all of the seventh graders had a mandatory orientation they had to go to. Once it was lunchtime, Lauren had so much homework she could barely carry her backpack. She also had to carry her books in her arms because she had no more room in her backpack. After lunch, she finished the rest of her classes and rushed to her room. After she got to her room, she changed into her riding clothes and went to the stable. Once she got there, she spent her time to get Whisper ready for her tryouts. After her tryouts, Lauren went back to her room to get her homework done. The next day Lauren figured out her spot on the equestrian team. She got the only intermediate spot that was left. The next day she tried out for Drama club. She made that team as well.
At the end of the book, Lauren was having a sleepover with Khloe, Lexa, Riley, and Clare. At the sleepover, they watched T.V. and also snacked. Riley suggested they played truth or dare. They all figured out that Riley had a little brother with Down syndrome. After they all woke up, they went to get breakfast in the common room and watch a horse movie. Lauren had gotten a call from her mom so she stayed back to talk to her for a bit. After she finished the call, Lauren walked into the common room and recognized the movie right away. They were watching the movie of Laurens accident.
Characterization:
This book had multiple main characters. One of the main characters was Khloe. Khloe was Lauren’s roomate and was in seventh grade. Khloe rode a horse named Ever. She had blonde hair and brown eyes. Khloe was a very good actor. She planned on acting in Los Angeles when she got older. Khloe had tried out for The Beauty and the Beast musical and got the part of Miss Pot. The other main character was Lauren. Lauren had just started school at Canterwood and Khloe helped her with school. Lauren had a horse named Whisper. Lauren had fair skin and also dark brown hair. Lauren had spent one week at Canterwood and she survived their tough classes. Khloe had helped Lauren with Whisper, because Whisper was listening to verbal clues instead of her cues.
Setting:
This book took place in Connecticut. This book took place in Connecticut because that was where Canterwood was located. Initiation took place in September, because that was when school started at Canterwood. It also took place in the daytime because Lauren had to go to school and she had riding lessons afterwards. This book would have taken place in the present because the characters use cell phones to talk to their friends.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to kids who have read the other books in the series. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers who like horses. This book would be a good fit for girls, because there was some drama that girls like to read about. This book would be a good fit for middle schoolers, because the book was an easy read and was written for younger kids.
I really liked this book because it dealt with horses. I liked how this book talked about the struggles of going to a new school and getting to know everyone. I also liked how this book showed some of the perks of having horses.
Plot:
In the beginning of this book, Lauren arrived at Canterwood and was in her dorm room. While she was waiting for her roomate to get there, she chose her side of the room. When her roomate got there, Lauren thought she was mad because she had played the mean girl act. Khloe apologized and introduced herself. After things got settled down, Khloe asked Lauren if she wanted to meet her horse: Ever. When they reached Ever’s stall, Clare walked up to them and introduced herself to Lauren. Khloe and Clare were friends the previous year and still were. Riley walked up to them and gave a rude introduction to Lauren. Riley was friends with Clare but not Khloe. Riley went right after Khloe because she was trying out for the play also. After all of that happened, Khloe decided to get something to eat. The next day, Khloe and Lauren decided to put away their clothes and decorate their room. Once they finished, their room had a mixture of light yellow and light blue. That night Khloe and Lauren went into the common room and made some tea. Khloe also introduced Lauren to her friend, Lexa.
The next day was Lauren's first day at Canterwood. Before they started classes, all of the seventh graders had a mandatory orientation they had to go to. Once it was lunchtime, Lauren had so much homework she could barely carry her backpack. She also had to carry her books in her arms because she had no more room in her backpack. After lunch, she finished the rest of her classes and rushed to her room. After she got to her room, she changed into her riding clothes and went to the stable. Once she got there, she spent her time to get Whisper ready for her tryouts. After her tryouts, Lauren went back to her room to get her homework done. The next day Lauren figured out her spot on the equestrian team. She got the only intermediate spot that was left. The next day she tried out for Drama club. She made that team as well.
At the end of the book, Lauren was having a sleepover with Khloe, Lexa, Riley, and Clare. At the sleepover, they watched T.V. and also snacked. Riley suggested they played truth or dare. They all figured out that Riley had a little brother with Down syndrome. After they all woke up, they went to get breakfast in the common room and watch a horse movie. Lauren had gotten a call from her mom so she stayed back to talk to her for a bit. After she finished the call, Lauren walked into the common room and recognized the movie right away. They were watching the movie of Laurens accident.
Characterization:
This book had multiple main characters. One of the main characters was Khloe. Khloe was Lauren’s roomate and was in seventh grade. Khloe rode a horse named Ever. She had blonde hair and brown eyes. Khloe was a very good actor. She planned on acting in Los Angeles when she got older. Khloe had tried out for The Beauty and the Beast musical and got the part of Miss Pot. The other main character was Lauren. Lauren had just started school at Canterwood and Khloe helped her with school. Lauren had a horse named Whisper. Lauren had fair skin and also dark brown hair. Lauren had spent one week at Canterwood and she survived their tough classes. Khloe had helped Lauren with Whisper, because Whisper was listening to verbal clues instead of her cues.
Setting:
This book took place in Connecticut. This book took place in Connecticut because that was where Canterwood was located. Initiation took place in September, because that was when school started at Canterwood. It also took place in the daytime because Lauren had to go to school and she had riding lessons afterwards. This book would have taken place in the present because the characters use cell phones to talk to their friends.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to kids who have read the other books in the series. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers who like horses. This book would be a good fit for girls, because there was some drama that girls like to read about. This book would be a good fit for middle schoolers, because the book was an easy read and was written for younger kids.
July 20, 2021
Five stars I loved this so much! At first I was really sad it wasn't about Sasha Silver but now I am glad they did it about a different girl. Lauren (or as her friends call her LT) is so sweet, a girl who isnt afraid to tell people she is new to most of that stuff , she makes friends fast, and I just love her style. Now I am just heartbroken I don't have the next book 😭😭 !!!Canter wood crest books never let me down I love everything about these books.... Its about horses, the style of writing, the friendships, and more I just can't get enough of them! My dream is to hopefully own all of the "Canter wood Crest" series someday. Totally re-reading this book in the future!!!! 😊😊😊
August 4, 2024
“Whatever I thought about Laurens Old and New was gone. All I knew was this: Lauren always gave it a shot.”
Loving LT’s journey into her first week at CCA and getting settled in. But the drama has just begun!
Loving LT’s journey into her first week at CCA and getting settled in. But the drama has just begun!
December 29, 2013
The Canterwood Crest books are books I've been reading since I was in Junior High, and I refuse to give them up. Granted, they are a bit cheesy and filled with pointless drama, but I still can't help but adore them.
June 5, 2018
The books about Saha Silver (1-13) are okay, not great, but okay. The books about Lauren Towers (13- and on) are absolutely awful. I couldn't even finish Initiation, it was so awful.
Don't waste your time reading this book!
Don't waste your time reading this book!
June 20, 2023
lauren is better than sasha.
maybe because lauren was the first protagonist from the canterwood crest series that ive read.
i just feel like lauren's books are way better (i have yet to read the other books)
anyway, she's just the sweetest thing ever and even though her "secret" was repeated so often, it made sense because she had a sort of "trauma" towards it.
these books are so... 2000s coded.
its kinda funny because their texts are like "c u later," "thx," and other things i cannot remember right now. but it adds charm to it.
this book takes itself seriously that its funny. like aren't you guys 12-years-old??? and you guys met and are now besties after a day???
riley is so mad for what. she's sooo most passive aggressive for a 12-year-old girl. lauren wasn't even there first and she was threatened by her. what did she do to you???
she definitely knew about the red wood accident because there's NO way she didn't know.
bottom line: lauren over sasha
maybe because lauren was the first protagonist from the canterwood crest series that ive read.
i just feel like lauren's books are way better (i have yet to read the other books)
anyway, she's just the sweetest thing ever and even though her "secret" was repeated so often, it made sense because she had a sort of "trauma" towards it.
these books are so... 2000s coded.
its kinda funny because their texts are like "c u later," "thx," and other things i cannot remember right now. but it adds charm to it.
this book takes itself seriously that its funny. like aren't you guys 12-years-old??? and you guys met and are now besties after a day???
riley is so mad for what. she's sooo most passive aggressive for a 12-year-old girl. lauren wasn't even there first and she was threatened by her. what did she do to you???
she definitely knew about the red wood accident because there's NO way she didn't know.
bottom line: lauren over sasha
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January 7, 2021I don’t know if I was the only one who noticed this but I am extremely confused. In the 12th book still from Sasha’s POV Lauren Towers joined right before fall break, although on the 13th book she joined in September. (Lauren’s POV) How come, am I missing something?
January 3, 2018
the new generation at canterwood.
July 8, 2019
.New friends
I enjoyed meeting new students. I do hope we get to see Sasha again! I assume she is riding on to big and better things!
I enjoyed meeting new students. I do hope we get to see Sasha again! I assume she is riding on to big and better things!
December 5, 2022
OMG, <3 Lauren Towers!!! Amazing start to LT's series, and the end is SUCH a cliffhanger.
May 20, 2023
not bad but you really expect me to get invested in idk lauren or riley after SASHA and HEATHER?
March 5, 2012
Lauren Towers is a 7th grader at the Canterwood Crest Academy. She is very shy and is afraid of anyone knowing her secret past. When she meets her room mate, they instantly become best friends along with Lexa. But there is one problem and her name is Riley. She is the queen been, best of the best, and cocky. She is trying to freak out Lauren because she is testing out to see which riding class she will be put in. There are 15 riders trying out and only 1 seat in the intermediate. She tests out and gets into the intermediate which makes Riley really mad. Lauren and Khloe (her room mate) decide to throw a celebration slumber party in which they invite everyone on their floor. They decide to play truth or dare and end up finding that Riley has an autistic brother. They then become better friends. But Khloe and Riley aren't so fast to become friends. They both tried out for the role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Riley ended up getting it. But eventually they aren't so mean to each other. But even though Lauren has best friends, she refuses to tell anyone about her past in which she had a horrible accident. Just when she though life was good they decide to watch a movie. One of her friends picks one out and it is the video tape of her competition in which her accident occurs. But does she tell them that it really is her or does she lie?
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes horses. It is all about the life of a school girl and her horse, so if you like that kind of story setting, you would love this book. It was very hard for me to put down and it has a lot of twists so it is not very predictable.
I would rate it a 4 because I hate cliff hangers and this book has it so I don't get to know how it ends which is really furstrating. It does swear every now and then so if you can't stand swearing, don't read this series of books.
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes horses. It is all about the life of a school girl and her horse, so if you like that kind of story setting, you would love this book. It was very hard for me to put down and it has a lot of twists so it is not very predictable.
I would rate it a 4 because I hate cliff hangers and this book has it so I don't get to know how it ends which is really furstrating. It does swear every now and then so if you can't stand swearing, don't read this series of books.
April 21, 2024
I was really nervous about switching the cast of characters, but I absolutely love Lauren. Honestly, I would be happy starting the series with her, no offense to Sasha. Lauren seems more of a dynamic character with more growth than Sasha. Regardless, this isn't a comparison between the two or an argument for who is better. I loved the other new characters we've met so far as well, especially Khloe and Cole(?). I absolutely adore the fact that they are participating in a musical, I'm writing this review from below the stage where a ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty is taking place above me. So of course I'm going to love the theatre kids. It would only be more perfect if it were Beauty & The Beast. I love that we're getting to explore more of the campus than just the stables, dorms, and classrooms. I can't wait to see where Lauren and her friends take us.
January 19, 2012
I thought this was an amazing sequal to the first book in the series. If you liked Chosen you have to read this one! Lauren is back and ready to tackle Canterwood. She has an awesome roomate and loves having Whisper around. She has survived her first week (and so far no one as reconized her from her past) to celebrate her and her roomate have a sleepover. Everything is going great! They wake up and go to the lounge to eat breakfast. Since they were all riders the decided to watch riding videos Laurnes mom calls so she goes back to her room. After, when she is done talking to her mom she comes back and looks on the screen, there are her and sky blue ready to start the corse and this is the one where she falls bad! Now every one will know her secret. And that is where the book ends. I read this book in two days and could not put it down for a second. This ending is shocking and leaves the story hanging and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
March 20, 2013
Initiation By Jessica Burkhart
Realistic Fiction
299 pages
Lauren Towers is going to be the new girl, again. She is finally moving to Canterwood Crest after a long summer. She is super excited, scared, and nervous. She hasn’t met her roommate yet but only emailed. When Lauren gets to the school, everything is going great. Her roommate walks in and scares Lauren so bad with her acting skills. Luckily, the two get along great after that. Finally, the first day of school comes. Lauren tried to; 1.Lay low 2.But not too low 3.Don’t ambush the in crowd. That didn’t work so well. She was 1.Noticed 2.Extremely noticed 3.Getting the popular boys to flirt with her. Lauren is figuring out her way through the seventh grade. So far, she will be pretty good at making friends and should have many. I gave this book five stars because it is full of drama and so much fun. This should be the best story of a Canterwood Crest student ever.
Realistic Fiction
299 pages
Lauren Towers is going to be the new girl, again. She is finally moving to Canterwood Crest after a long summer. She is super excited, scared, and nervous. She hasn’t met her roommate yet but only emailed. When Lauren gets to the school, everything is going great. Her roommate walks in and scares Lauren so bad with her acting skills. Luckily, the two get along great after that. Finally, the first day of school comes. Lauren tried to; 1.Lay low 2.But not too low 3.Don’t ambush the in crowd. That didn’t work so well. She was 1.Noticed 2.Extremely noticed 3.Getting the popular boys to flirt with her. Lauren is figuring out her way through the seventh grade. So far, she will be pretty good at making friends and should have many. I gave this book five stars because it is full of drama and so much fun. This should be the best story of a Canterwood Crest student ever.
October 18, 2015
I love Khloe! She is so fun and sweet and love that she wants to be an actress. I am so mad that Khloe didn't get the part of Belle because I hate it when mean people like Reily get what they want it makes me so mad. My favorite part of this book is when Lauren makes it to the intermediate team and Drew starts liking her because Reily gets so mad. But I'm glad they showed that Reily wasn't that bad because of her telling them about her brother at the sleepover. The sleepover I feel was kind of nice since it showed that they could all be friends. What surprises me the most is how they found Lauren's video! But I can't wait to know what happens and read more. I recommend this book because of the drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2012
Recommended for gr. 5-9, especially for the horse-loving girls. Although part of a series, this book stands alone quite well. Some brand-name dropping felt a little out of place.
Lauren is starting as a new student at Canterwood Crest, an exclusive boarding school with a riding program. She is trying to start fresh after a riding accident, and hasn't told anyone about her past. She fits right in with her new roommate and friends, and meets some cute boys, but of course there is one mean girl trying to make her life miserable. The reader is left to wonder at the end whether she will tell her new friends the truth about her past.
Lauren is starting as a new student at Canterwood Crest, an exclusive boarding school with a riding program. She is trying to start fresh after a riding accident, and hasn't told anyone about her past. She fits right in with her new roommate and friends, and meets some cute boys, but of course there is one mean girl trying to make her life miserable. The reader is left to wonder at the end whether she will tell her new friends the truth about her past.
June 30, 2013
Lauren Towers has arrived at Canterwood Crest, made new friends and started the seventh grade school year. As always there is drama and for Lauren it comes in the form of trying out for the intermediate riding team, the glee club and keeping the secret that could destroy her new found joy.
INITIATION is a wonderful addition to this series. As with most Canterwood Crest novels the stories continue on so don't expect a neat tidy ending to this one and anticipate learning more in Book 14, POPULAR.
INITIATION is a wonderful addition to this series. As with most Canterwood Crest novels the stories continue on so don't expect a neat tidy ending to this one and anticipate learning more in Book 14, POPULAR.
January 4, 2021
This book focuses on Lauren trying out for the riding team and her anxiety about her friends learning about her accident. Like I said in my review of chosen, she makes such a big deal about it. She's afraid her friends will unfriend her for not telling them about her accident right away and she's literally only known them for a week. I do find Lauren much more relatable than Sasha and quite sensible about most things. I love how she has really great comebacks for the mean girl Riley (who is pathetic and needs a hobby so she doesn't have so much time to antagonize Lauren and Khloe).
January 31, 2013
I thought this book did not have a lot pf action.The end was terrible and I did not understand the book very much. The author style is the kind i do not like because she says the thought and it does not make very much sense.
September 6, 2013
This Canterwood book is awesome, the series is better when you read the whole series so far because you understand better than just guessing! The book is awesome. Wouldn't be a ideal class read aloud book, boys and some girls wouldnt enjoy
January 9, 2012
It has a shocking ending! I wonder if Khloe and Lauren will become Frenimies?
April 14, 2012
I really liked this book! Lauren seemed a little too happy-go-lucky though, because a lot of things went right for her. It was a good book though!
January 18, 2012
Was so good!!!! I just can't wait till the next one!!! The ending was just SHOCKING!!!
July 29, 2014
Re-read frpm July 26th 2014-July 29th 2014.
December 7, 2012
AWSOME
January 3, 2013
typical teenage horse-girl fluff, really heavy on the name brand dropping. Still enjoyable as a skimmed book. I keep telling my husband that I'm using these as "research" for my novel. hehehehe.
February 20, 2015
See the first series for a full review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews