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Elin Hilderbrand's The Thoroughbreds follows Charley Hicks and her classmates through a transformative senior year at Tiffin Academy, where college admissions pressure, a seven-million-dollar financial crisis, and campus rituals shape adolescents on the cusp of adulthood. Written for devoted readers of The Academy Series and fans of boarding-school fiction.
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Chapter mindmaps
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Chapter 1: 1. So Back
Key concepts: 1. So Back
So Back
Return to Tiffin
Charley returns for senior year in East's black pickup
A year ago she arrived scared and friendless
Now confident, with East beside her, she claims the place
Family and Escape
Fran opposed boarding school but Charley fled stepfather Joey
She followed her late father's path to Tiffin
East charmed Fran into driving Charley from Baltimore
Fran stayed home to keep an eye on Joey
Goals and Shadows
Targets: straight A's, standout essay, three college acceptances
Junior year brought Cinnamon's suicide, Zip Zap app, East's speakeasy
Past events still affect her senior year
Chapter 2: 2. Tiffin Talks: How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Key concepts: 2. Tiffin Talks: How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Tiffin Talks: How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Tiffin's 115th Year Begins
Chapel bells, Ms. Robinson greeting cars, Mr. Rivera helping boys
Rhode Rivera spent summer in West Village sublet
Worked out at TMPL, played pickup basketball at West Fourth
The Bumble Date and Its Aftermath
July date with Yardley, a Stuyvesant teacher, goes well
She sends red-flag emoji next day and ghosts him
Rhode writes 'Green Flag / Red Flag' telling both sides
Publication Journey of the Story
Oscar likens it to 'Cat Person,' shops to top outlets
The New Yorker and Esquire pass; LitBoo offers $1,600
LitBoo asks for initials; Rhode refuses, gets $2,000
Story gets 25,000 downloads and Best American submission
Sixth-Form Girls and Shifting Dynamics
Olivia H-T now admires Tilly Benbow, who looks unwell
Taylor jumps into Hakeem's arms; Cassie feels worse
Davi arrives by Escalade, runs to Andrew and Charley
Olivia asks Tilly about revenge, but Tilly has changed
Key Takeaways
Bad date produced a useful story instead of just feeling bad
Refusing initials led to apology, better terms, wide readership
Social ranking among girls has shifted from old grudges
Tilly returns unwell and without appetite for revenge
Chapter 3: 3. New Blood
Key concepts: 3. New Blood
New Blood
Financial Crisis at Tiffin
Audre Robinson discovers $7 million missing from operating budget
Only Audre has account access, ruling out Cordelia and Chef Haz
Financial adviser Oak Bellamy won't return calls
Audre's 'Feeling' suggests the problem is bigger than theft
New Hires and Ranking Drop
College counselor John 'Mav' Maverick and history teacher Dr. John 'Coopersmith' arrive
Both were handpicked by admissions head Cordelia Spooner
Tiffin drops from 2nd to 6th in America Today rankings
Northmeadow sits at 9th, intensifying rivalry
Liam Donovan's Arrival
Scholarship student from Flushing High arrives with belongings in trash bag
Admission arranged by board president Jesse Eastman and girlfriend O'Malley Donovan
Room 307 stocked with clothes, supplies, and MacBook
Audre promises optometrist appointment for broken glasses
Olivia's Social Scheming
Olivia sees Liam as potential boyfriend who doesn't care about money
She is calculating and scheming, drawn to his vulnerability
Comparison drives her insecurity and ambition at Tiffin
She lost 30 pounds and got a Goyard tote to impress peers
Davi's Sign and Social Sorting
Davi hangs neon sign: 'comparisons are odious' from Evelyn Waugh
Olivia declines old sign but calculates its future value
Tilly calls Liam poor; Charley defends him as good and smart
Girls' reactions reveal status hierarchy and social dynamics
Chapter 4: 4. Tiffin Talks: Jewel Pond
Key concepts: 4. Tiffin Talks: Jewel Pond
Tiffin Talks: Jewel Pond
The Jewel Pond Cookout
All-School Meeting and pig roast mark the last first day
Olivia grossed out by whole pig but eats skin
Davi pulls Liam away; Olivia throws plate in trash
Taylor's Last Cookout
Tilly cries in woods; Taylor knows it's her last Move-In Day
Taylor would trade places with rival Cassie Lee
Plans to lose virginity to Hakeem on First Dance night
Rankings, Faculty, and College
Audre calls sixth-place ranking a relief after last year's second
New teachers John Maverick and John Coopersmith introduced
East refuses to apply to college; Charley stuck between East and plans
Dub's Unopened Email
Dub acts weirdly cheerful despite grief
Hasn't opened Cinnamon's email saved until graduation
Seems to be avoiding grief, not moving past it
Cordelia's Deleted Message
Alone at pond, gets text from Honey saying she misses her
Deletes it, instantly wants it back
Goes looking for her sandals
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