Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton.

Left or right?  Amber’s sense of direction is so bad that she can get lost in her own hometown, finding a cemetery that she never knew existed.  And all in front of the girl she hopes will be her first management client.  Amber’s day goes from bad to even worse. When she finally makes it to the party, she hears a group of girls mocking her.  And to cap off the entire dreadful day, she is hit by a mailtruck.  When she heads toward the light, her grandmother and dog are there to greet her.  Her grandmother tells her that it is not yet her time, and sends her back, but on the way, Amber gets lost.  When she wakes up, she finds herself in the body of the most popular girl at school.  A girl whose flawless life has driven her to suicide.  Now Amber must find out if she can get back into her own body and along the way come to understand what drove this girl to do something so tragic.

This novel is very clever with great touches of humor throughout, the snarkiness of teens and siblings, and yet a serious side which supports the story with its strength.  Amber is a well-written protagonist who offers the perfect perspective on what is happening.  Equally nicely drawn are her friends, though the adults in the book trend toward stereotypes.

An intriguing but not dark look at death and life, this story will be enjoyed by teens who read teen novels, rather than those who read fantasy.  Appropriate for ages 12-15.