Review by: Lindsey Stupp
Published: 2025
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
Genres: YA Mystery, Contemporary Thriller, Family Drama
Audience: Grades 6–12
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: The Steps
Content Warnings: Grief and loss (death of a parent), family dysfunction, bullying, mental health (anxiety), substance abuse, and feelings of neglect.
Publisher’s Summary
Riverdale meets The Queen’s Gambit in this fun, twisty thriller by an Edgar Award-winning author, featuring a deliciously dysfunctional family with dark secrets and shifting alliances. Fourteen-year-old chess whiz Ruby Vossen tries to keep to herself. She refuses to be a pawn in her wealthy family’s web of deception.
But ever since Ruby’s mother and aunt died in a car wreck, the battle lines drawn within the Vossen clan have ruled her life. Ruby’s father and uncle became irreparably estranged, and within months, Ruby’s cousin/BFF was banished from her life, her father remarried, and she wound up with a gold-digging stepmom who has two teens of her own—The Steps.
So when strange and dangerous things begin happening on the Vossen estate, Ruby sees only one logical explanation: The Steps are scheming to inherit the Vossen fortune. And as things get more and more intense, it seems like killing is in their playbook. Luckily, Ruby has her own playbook, and she’s not about to go down without a fight. She’ll even break her dad’s rules to get her cousin back on her side of the chessboard . . . It’s time to check-mate The Steps before they can finish the Vossens off. Secrets, lies, and lethal threats abound in this clever, quirky thriller by the award-winning, bestselling author of Flipped and the Sammy Keyes mysteries.
Review
Chores, paranoia, and chess are the defining elements of teenage Ruby’s world. Her unique family structure, led by an emotionally distant matriarch, shapes her entire upbringing. Through reconnecting with family members, cutting off other family members, and a lot of secrecy, Ruby is able to uncover the truth about a crime at her grandmother’s house.
Overall this book has a lot to offer: the mystery is well-grounded, there are a lot of believable twists, and the “I’m misunderstood” trope of Ruby’s character will resonate deeply with many middle grade students or teens. While Ruby is a well-rounded protagonist (particularly including her struggle with anxiety), many of the secondary characters lack the same depth. Ruby’s father, for example, is an unsympathetic character from beginning to end; a glimpse of humanity would have elevated the story to another level. While the Cinderella parallels are strong regarding the characters of the stepmother and evil stepsister, much of the story is unique and does not follow the classic storyline.
Ruby is able to overcome many challenges and, at the end of the story, is able to embrace positive relationships and reject negative ones (including close family). Some of these family elements of the story could be either restorative or triggering to students depending on their personal histories (ex. sudden death of a parent, rejecting or otherwise “cutting off” ties with other family members). I was at the edge of my seat and very satisfied with the resolution. I would definitely recommend this book for the gripping plot and relatable main character.
🛡️ Navigating Family Dysfunction and Anxiety
The novel explores the psychological impact of living in a high-stress, “emotionally distant” environment.
Themes of Restoration and Rejection:
- Setting Boundaries: Ruby learns that “blood isn’t always thicker than water.” The story highlights the importance of choosing healthy relationships over toxic family ties.
- Anxiety as a Tool: While Ruby struggles with anxiety, the book shows how her cautious nature and attention to detail help her uncover the truth that others miss.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA (Literary Allusions): Discuss the “Cinderella” parallels.
- Activity Idea: Create a Venn diagram comparing “The Steps” and the traditional “Wicked Stepmother/Sisters.” Where does the story deviate into a unique mystery?
- Mathematics & Logic (Strategy): Use Ruby’s chess background to teach logical sequencing.
- Activity Idea: Present a “Chess Puzzle” to the class. Have students explain the step-by-step logic needed to reach a checkmate. How does this mirror the way a detective solves a mystery?
- SEL (Healthy Boundaries): Ruby has to “cut off” certain family members to protect her peace.
- Activity Idea: Discuss the concept of “Chosen Family.” When is it healthy to distance yourself from someone who treats you poorly, even if they are a relative?
- Creative Writing (Secondary Character Depth): The reviewer noted that the father lacked “a glimpse of humanity.”
- Activity Idea: Write a scene from the father’s point of view. What is he afraid of? Why is he emotionally distant? Try to give him that “missing level” of depth.
