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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Review: Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen

Tags: middle grade, YA, he-said/she-said, coming of age

The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski's blue eyes that day he moved in across the street from her in second grade, she lost her usually intelligent mind. She spent the next 6 years chasing after him. Not 2 hours after moving into the house across from Juli's, Bryce knew she was dangerous. He spent the next 6 years trying to avoid her, and yet not being able to, because Juli Baker was everywhere, doing everything, often perfectly.

Their middle school years clash between a destroyed sycamore tree, Juli's homegrown chickens and their eggs, Bryce's widowed grandfather, and family problems and secrets. By 8th grade, Juli pegs Bryce as a shallow jerk. She is so over him. Meanwhile, Bryce sees something in Juli that he has never noticed before. Is it the way she talks about beauty and nature like an adult? Is it the way she reminds Bryce's grandfather of his spirited dead wife? Eighth grade will be one flipped year for the two of them.

This book is charming, funny, and well-written. Juli and Bryce are incredibly well-drawn protagonists who learn to grow up through the novel. More than being simply a story about their friendship/relationship, however, Flipped also touches on topics such as family, socioeconomic status, and mental illness. This is Stargirl for the younger set, but both middle and high schoolers alike will be able to empathize with the main characters and connect with their teenage language.

Similar Authors
Jerry Spinelli (Stargirl)
Carl Hiaasen (Hoot)
Lisa Yee

Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
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23 comments:

  1. HMarch 14, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    This sounds fun. And I love that she raises chickens =)

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  2. GenevieveMarch 14, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    I nominated you for the "I love your blog" award!

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  3. Luisa at ChicklishMarch 14, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    Great review - and how cute is that cover?!

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  4. nadineMarch 14, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    I always wanted to read this book. lol

    i have something for you here

    http://trublu93.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-heart-ur-blog-2.html

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  5. IrynaMarch 14, 2009 at 6:59 PM

    I remember reading this book last year and it being so good that I brushed my teeth while reading it! My dad got a picture of that and now whenever someone comes over he likes to show it to them . . .

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  6. Mishel (P.S. I Love Books)March 14, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    I just gotta say I love that baby chick!

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  7. ShalondaMarch 14, 2009 at 8:41 PM

    Glad you liked it. My students are big fans of it. I have it on the shelf in my classroom library, so I'll definitely read it sometime.

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  8. Diana DangMarch 14, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    AH I remember reading it when I was in grade 7 or 8. I liked the ending. It's pretty cute but saddening at the same time.

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  9. AmyMarch 14, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    OMGODDNESS! One of my all time favorites.
    I love it so darn much, i read it back in middle school and have since then, re-read it at least 10 times. the ending was fantastic too.
    -amy

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  10. AshleyMarch 15, 2009 at 12:41 AM

    I read this a few summers ago. It was cute. But I was sad with the ending!

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  11. LlehnApril 17, 2009 at 12:03 AM

    Haha! Interesting cover. It would definitely make me pick the book up! Talk about great marketing.

    Lesley

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  12. PissenlitApril 18, 2009 at 11:29 PM

    Oh, Flipped sounds really cute!

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  13. ChristinaApril 19, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    This sounds like such a cute story!

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  14. ellie_enchantedApril 21, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    I read Flipped a while ago, and I really enjoyed it. It's really cute, even though Bryce really is a jerk.

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  15. Shooting Stars MagApril 21, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Nice review. I've heard of this, but never read it. It sounds pretty good though, and I like that their ideas of each other flip. Awesome. Love the cover.

    -Lauren

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  16. LiyanaApril 22, 2009 at 11:31 PM

    Six years is a long time! I think I'll put this in my TBR pile.

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  17. JessicaApril 25, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    I loved this book! I read it awhile ago and fell in love with it!

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  18. Max BrownApril 25, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    I always see this book in the bookstore, and I always mean to read it. But I never have. It looks really interesting. My kind of book.

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  19. SilviaApril 26, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    5 out of 5? I have to check it for sure!
    Never heard about this one before but it seems nice, and I love nice books!

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  20. AshleyApril 28, 2009 at 6:16 PM

    This is the cutest book cover ever, haha.

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  21. babygirlGMay 5, 2009 at 2:23 AM

    Great review! Great cover concept!

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  22. Gaby317May 8, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    This sounds really good! Will check it out.

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  23. MeganMay 10, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    I hated this book but others might like and should give it a try.

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