“Tell me three things, and I’ll tell you three things.”
— The anonymous email from 'SadieBlue' to Jessie, establishing their secret communication.
Archivist's Choice
Tell Me Three Things
Julie Buxbaum (2016)
Genre
Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
540 min
Key Themes
See below
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Grieving her mother and adrift in a new Los Angeles prep school, Jessie finds an anonymous emailer offering to guide her through the social maze, sparking a desperate reliance and a burning desire to unmask her mysterious lifeline.
Synopsis
Jessie's world changes when her widowed father remarries a woman he met online, forcing them to move from Chicago to Los Angeles. Her junior year at the new prep school, Wood Valley High, is difficult until she receives an anonymous email from someone calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN). SN offers to guide her through the school's social scene, becoming her secret support. As Jessie handles a new city, a stepfamily, and her mother's death, her bond with SN deepens. She wants to uncover their identity. Her search for SN leads to various suspects and romantic interests, including a new friend and a quiet classmate. SN is revealed to be Caleb, her stepbrother, leading to a complex emotional reaction as Jessie deals with their secret connection and the boundaries it crossed. Through these revelations, Jessie learns to process her grief, form new relationships, and find her place in her blended family and new school.
Reading time
540 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Hopeful, Romantic, Humorous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy contemporary YA romance with a mystery element, themes of grief and starting over, and a strong focus on online communication.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike 'secret admirer' tropes or stories where the love interest is revealed to be a close, unexpected person.
Plot Summary
The Big Move and the New Family
Jessie Davis, a high school junior, moves from Chicago to Los Angeles with her father, who quickly married a woman he met online. Her new stepmother, Ashley, is glamorous but distant. Ashley's son, Theo, seems like a popular, privileged Los Angeles prep school student. Jessie is still dealing with her mother's death two years ago. This sudden change, along with her grief, makes her feel isolated in their luxurious Beverly Hills home and at Wood Valley High.
An Anonymous Lifeline Appears
On her first day at Wood Valley High, a private school with clear social groups, Jessie feels overwhelmed and unnoticed. She struggles with the social rules and difficult academics. When she feels most down, she gets an anonymous email from 'Somebody/Nobody' (SN). SN offers to guide her through the school's social scene, giving tips on classes, teachers, and how to survive. Jessie is doubtful but also desperate for help.
SN's Guidance and Jessie's New Friends
Jessie begins to trust SN, who is insightful and helpful. SN advises her on everything from classes to how to talk to certain students. With SN's help, Jessie starts to connect with others. She becomes friends with Agnes, a quirky and smart girl who likes books, and Ethan, a kind and artistic boy who is also somewhat of an outsider. These friendships give Jessie support and a sense of belonging, slowly reducing her isolation and making Wood Valley feel less intimidating.
The Search for SN's Identity Begins
As SN continues to offer advice and emotional support, Jessie feels a strong connection with her anonymous confidant. The emails become the best part of her day, and she realizes she is falling for the witty and understanding person behind the screen. Her curiosity grows, and she actively tries to figure out who SN is. She analyzes their writing, knowledge of the school, and specific details they share, creating a list of possible candidates among her new friends and classmates, hoping to solve the mystery.
Dating and Distractions
Jessie's social life at Wood Valley improves. She goes on a few dates with Ethan, who is sweet and attentive, and she enjoys his company. Later, she also feels drawn to Liam, a popular and charming senior, after he shows interest in her. These real-life interactions and new romances create a problem for Jessie, as her emotional attachment to SN grows with each email. She struggles with the difference between her real connections with Ethan and Liam and the deep, anonymous closeness she shares with SN, making her quest to unmask SN even more urgent.
Family Tensions and Grief
Despite positive social developments, Jessie continues to struggle with her new family. Her relationship with her stepmother, Ashley, remains strained, and her stepbrother, Theo, often seems distant or dismissive. Jessie is also constantly reminded of her mother, whose death still affects her deeply. She often thinks about Chicago and her old life, finding it hard to fully accept her new reality. Her unresolved grief and awkward family situation add to her loneliness, making SN's emotional support even more important.
A Close Call and a Misdirection
Jessie's search for SN's identity leads her to believe Liam might be the one. He is charming, popular, and seems to know a lot about the school, fitting some of SN's traits. She tries to subtly test him, looking for clues in his conversations and actions. While Liam is a strong possibility, Jessie cannot quite match his public image with SN's empathetic and thoughtful voice. The mystery continues, and Jessie keeps analyzing every interaction, hoping for a clear sign that will reveal her anonymous confidant.
The Prom and the Revelation
The junior prom arrives, and Jessie attends with Ethan, still hoping to uncover SN's identity. Throughout the evening, she looks for clues, feeling excited and anxious. The tension builds as she receives a final, anticipated email from SN, asking her to meet in person at a specific spot. With a pounding heart, Jessie follows the instructions, her mind racing through possible candidates. To her shock, the person waiting for her is Theo, her stepbrother, revealing he is Somebody/Nobody.
The Aftermath of the Reveal
The revelation that Theo is SN leaves Jessie stunned and confused. The initial shock quickly turns into a mix of emotions: betrayal, because he kept it a secret; understanding, as she re-evaluates their past interactions; and a deep sense of connection, realizing the person she had fallen for was right there all along. She confronts Theo, asking for an explanation for his anonymity and his reasons for helping her. This moment forces both of them to confront their assumptions about each other and the true nature of their relationship.
Rebuilding and Understanding
Afterward, Jessie and Theo have difficult but honest conversations. Theo explains his reasons: he saw her struggling and wanted to help without the awkwardness of being her stepbrother, and he enjoyed their anonymous connection. Jessie, though initially hurt by the deception, begins to understand his perspective and appreciate his genuine care. They start to understand their strained step-sibling relationship better, revealing deeper vulnerabilities and a hidden mutual respect. This revelation marks a significant change, creating a new path for their connection.
A New Beginning
With the truth about SN revealed, Jessie finds a new sense of peace and belonging in Los Angeles. Her relationship with Theo, though complicated, is now built on honesty and mutual affection. She has also strengthened her friendships with Agnes and Ethan, creating a supportive social circle. Jessie learns to accept her new family, including her stepmother, Ashley, as they all work to understand each other better. She realizes that while her mother's memory will always be with her, she can also build a happy life in her new home, finally moving forward from her grief.
Principal Figures
Jessie Davis
The Protagonist
Jessie transforms from a grieving, isolated outsider into someone who finds her voice, builds strong relationships, and ultimately embraces her new life and family.
Somebody/Nobody (SN)
The Supporting/Love Interest
SN's arc is revealed through Theo's actions; initially a secret helper, their true identity brings their genuine care and hidden depths to light, fostering a real connection with Jessie.
Theo
The Supporting/Love Interest
Theo evolves from a seemingly indifferent stepbrother to revealing his true, empathetic nature as SN, fostering a deep, honest connection with Jessie.
Agnes
The Supporting
Agnes remains a steadfast and supportive friend, providing consistent emotional stability for Jessie.
Ethan
The Supporting
Ethan starts as a potential love interest but ultimately becomes a supportive friend, understanding Jessie's true feelings.
Liam
The Supporting
Liam serves as a red herring in Jessie's search for SN, representing a superficial attraction that doesn't align with her deeper emotional connection.
Ashley
The Supporting
Ashley's relationship with Jessie evolves from strained and distant to one of hesitant understanding and burgeoning affection.
Jessie's Dad
The Supporting
Jessie's Dad remains a supportive, if sometimes passive, figure who eventually becomes more attuned to his daughter's emotional needs.
Themes & Insights
Grief and Healing
The novel explores the lasting effects of grief and the difficult process of healing after loss. Jessie's mother's death two years prior is the main wound that affects her entire experience. Her feelings of displacement in Los Angeles and her difficulty connecting with her new family come from her unresolved sorrow. SN's empathy and understanding offer Jessie a safe space to process her grief, showing that connection and acceptance are important for moving forward. The theme concludes with Jessie's ability to embrace her new life without forgetting her past, showing growth and acceptance.
“It's funny how you can miss someone even when they're right in front of you. Or maybe it's that you miss the person they used to be.”
Identity and Belonging
Jessie's struggle to find her place in a new city, school, and family is central to the story. She grapples with who she is outside of her Chicago life and her mother's memory. Wood Valley High's cliquish environment makes her feel more like an outsider. SN's guidance helps her navigate this, but it is through forming friendships with Agnes and Ethan, and finally accepting her step-family, that Jessie begins to create a new identity and a sense of belonging. SN's anonymity highlights that true connection can go beyond superficial labels and appearances.
“Sometimes, the hardest thing about moving is realizing that you're not just leaving a place, you're leaving a version of yourself behind.”
The Power of Connection (Anonymous and Otherwise)
The novel highlights the impact of connection, both anonymous and face-to-face. SN's emails are Jessie's support, showing that emotional help can come from unexpected sources, regardless of identity. This anonymous bond allows for honesty and vulnerability that might not have been possible in person at first. As Jessie forms friendships with Agnes and Ethan, and later learns the truth about Theo, the story shows the importance of genuine human connection in overcoming isolation and promoting personal growth, ultimately valuing real relationships over superficial ones.
“There's something about anonymity that makes it easier to be honest, isn't there?”
Perception vs. Reality
A main theme is how often first impressions can be wrong. Jessie's negative views of her stepmother, Ashley, and especially her stepbrother, Theo, are challenged throughout the story. Theo, initially seen as an arrogant popular kid, is revealed to be the empathetic and caring SN. Similarly, Ashley, the 'stepmonster,' shows moments of genuine concern. This theme encourages readers to look beyond appearances and first impressions, suggesting that people are often more complex than they seem, and that understanding requires effort and an open mind.
“Sometimes, the person you think you know the least is the one who knows you best.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Anonymous Confidant (SN)
A mysterious emailer who guides and supports the protagonist.
The 'Somebody/Nobody' (SN) character serves as the central plot device, driving the mystery and Jessie's emotional journey. SN's anonymous emails provide crucial information, emotional support, and witty banter, becoming Jessie's lifeline. This device allows for a deeper exploration of Jessie's internal thoughts and feelings, as she is completely honest with SN. The anonymity also creates a strong element of suspense, fueling Jessie's quest to uncover SN's true identity and ultimately leading to the climactic reveal of Theo, which reshapes Jessie's understanding of her new family and her own heart.
Red Herring
Characters or clues designed to mislead the protagonist and reader.
The novel employs red herrings, particularly in Jessie's attempts to identify SN. Characters like Liam and Ethan are presented as plausible candidates, with their actions and characteristics sometimes aligning with SN's email persona. This device keeps the reader guessing and adds layers of intrigue to the mystery. By misdirecting Jessie (and the reader), the eventual reveal of Theo as SN becomes more surprising and impactful, highlighting the theme of perception versus reality and making the true connection between Jessie and Theo more profound.
Fish Out of Water
The protagonist is placed in an unfamiliar and challenging environment.
Jessie's relocation from Chicago to the affluent, cliquish world of Los Angeles and Wood Valley High positions her as a 'fish out of water.' This device immediately establishes conflict and empathy for Jessie, as she navigates a foreign social landscape, academic pressures, and a new family dynamic. Her initial discomfort and isolation are central to her character arc, making her eventual integration and discovery of belonging more satisfying. This setup allows the story to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the challenges of adapting to drastic life changes, emphasizing her reliance on SN.
First-Person Narrative with Email Exchanges
The story is told from Jessie's perspective, interspersed with emails.
The novel is primarily told through Jessie's first-person perspective, giving readers direct access to her thoughts, fears, and witty internal monologues. This allows for deep character immersion and a strong connection with her emotional journey, especially her grief. The integration of email exchanges between Jessie and SN serves as a crucial interactive element. These emails not only advance the plot and provide clues but also reveal SN's character and the evolving dynamic of their relationship, adding another dimension to the narrative voice and building suspense around SN's identity.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Maybe the best way to figure out who you are is to spend some time not being you.”
— Jessie reflecting on her new identity and life in Los Angeles.
“It's funny how you can live in the same house with people, eat dinner with them, and still not really know them.”
— Jessie observing her new stepfamily dynamics.
“Sometimes the person you're looking for is right in front of you.”
— A classic romance trope hinted at throughout the story, about finding love where you least expect it.
“Grief is a tricky thing. It doesn't go away. It just changes shape.”
— Jessie's internal thoughts about coping with the loss of her mother.
“The hardest part about starting over isn't saying goodbye. It's remembering to say hello.”
— Jessie's struggle to adapt to her new school and make new friends.
“You can't really judge a book by its cover, or a person by their Instagram feed.”
— Jessie realizing that people's online personas don't always reflect their true selves.
“There are some things you just can't Google.”
— Jessie's frustration with trying to navigate complex social situations and emotions.
“Maybe being brave isn't about not being scared. Maybe it's about being scared and doing it anyway.”
— Jessie pushing herself out of her comfort zone in various situations.
“Sometimes the people who seem like they have it all figured out are the ones who are the most lost.”
— Jessie observing her seemingly perfect classmates and realizing their struggles.
“It’s amazing how much you can tell someone without actually telling them anything at all.”
— Jessie reflecting on the nuances of her anonymous conversations with 'SadieBlue'.
“The best kind of friends are the ones who make you feel less alone, even when you're physically by yourself.”
— Jessie appreciating the emotional connection she builds with her anonymous confidant.
“Life doesn't always go according to plan, but sometimes the detours lead you to the best places.”
— Jessie's overall journey and the unexpected positive outcomes of her move.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Jessie faces the immense challenge of adjusting to a new life in Los Angeles after her father remarries, forcing her to leave her familiar life in Chicago. She struggles with the grief of losing her mother, navigating an intimidating new prep school, and living with a stepmother and stepbrother she barely knows.
