Peer pressure is an age-old social headache, but in our times, says Viva Motwani, it's grown into a monstrous, destructive force. Teenagers are an especially vulnerable group, subjected in myriad, unhappy ways to the social diktats of their own lot. A high schooler is incessantly judged by her peers on appearance, physical attributes, 'cool' quotient, and more. To 'fit in' and be popular, girls especially go to extreme lengths. Wearing uncomfortable clothes and absurdly high heels, suffering painful beauty treatments and dieting rigorously are not uncommon. In this milieu, globally famous social media 'influencers' are like gods, their casual posts akin to gospel truth. Underage drinking is all over, and a law-abiding teen can find himself isolated if he doesn't conform. One must excel at academics, yet not be seen as a boring nerd who doesn't know how to have fun.

Navigating these social imperatives is no joke, says Viva Motwani. Unmasked is her take on what really happens in high school, behind the familiar fa ade of timetables, blackboards and friendships. Read this raw, frank and wryly humorous account of the life and times of today's high schoolers for a dose of youthful wisdom. There's much to chew on, for both teenagers and their families.