By: Lisi Harrison Publisher: Poppy Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Format: Bargain Price Label: Poppy Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 224 Publication Date: May 05, 2004 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: Massie Block: With her glossy brunette bob and laser-whitened smile, Massie is the uncontested ruler of The Clique and the rest of the social scene at Octavian Country Day School, an exclusive private girls' school in Westchester County, New York. Massie knows you'd give anything to be just like her.
Dylan Marvil: Massie's second in command who divides her time between sucking up to Massie and sucking down Atkins Diet shakes.
Alicia Rivera: As sneaky as she is beautiful, Alicia floats easily under adult radar because she seems so "sweet." Would love to take Massie's throne one day. Just might.
Kristen Gregory: She's smart, hardworking, and will insult you to tears faster than you can say "my haircut isn't ugly!"
Enter Claire Lyons, the new girls from Florida in Keds and two-year-old Gap overalls, who is clearly not Clique material. Unfortunately for her, Claire's family is staying in the guesthouse on Massie's family's huge estate while they look for a new home. Claire's future looks worse than a bad Prada knockoff. But with a little luck and a lot of scheming, Claire might just come up smelling like Chanel No. 19. . . .
The Clique . . . the only thing harder than getting in is staying in.
Shallow-coated lesson This book series has always been stereotyped as the book that only shallow and rich girls read. Well, I am neither shallow (I hope not) nor rich (maybe in my dreams) but surprisingly, this book was strangely good.
If you read hard enough, you'll discover the message that Lisi Harrison intended to put out. It describes the trials and woes of school, peer pressure, making new friends, dealing with enemies, and just being a girl.
In reality, the girls LH describes are the girls seen today. They are superficial, mean, and catty. But does one really know what goes on in their heads? The insecurities of the populars are revealed, and that is what redeems this book series. How not everyone can be perfect, but still want to act like it.
LH probably wants to show girls that being popular isn't everything. That, in reality, it is the silliest thing to want to fight for. Claire was ridiculous for fighting to be friends with girls who didn't like her. Massie manipulated her friends to terrorize Claire just because she felt threatened. Really, what teenage girls would want to live like this?
The author didn't want girls to model after her characters, but learn from their mistakes. But still, I think that it is a bit silly to put out a strong lesson in such an immature setting. I doubt that 7th graders live like this, try high school.
The humor is a bit sappy, but the characters are all unique and represent the different kinds of obstacles that girls today face. Dylan, with her body issues. Kristen, with her poverty. Alicia, a person who is always overshadowed. Claire, a new girl who just wants to fit in. And Massie, a girl who seems perfect, but actually isn't.
So when reading this book, look through the glamour and glitz and try to see the real message. That makes reading this book worthwhile, I think.
Funny, Light-hearted and Entertaining Series I am an adult with a weakness for reading children's literature and I have to say that I really love this series. There are always references to designer clothes and rich lifestyles and it is a guilty pleasure to read about this. I do admit that it is rather shallow but don't take it seriously and just read it as light-hearted entertainment. Also, there is no sex and no swearing and would be completely appropriate for ages 12 and up.
RE-TARD-ED Ha HA HA. Seriously. There is only one explanation to why anyone would read this book. And that is brain damage. Yeah, you heard me losers!Emahgawd, this book blows.
Massie=LBR OOOOOOOO. Burn. Yeah I called you a loser. Whacha gonna do about it? Chase after me on your horsie?
The Clique- First in a great series This book is fun and entertaining for young adult girls who like reading about drama and fun. Massie is the "owner" of the clique and the "founder." She has three best friends Kristen- the sporty chick, Alicia- the one who wants Massie to go down, and Dylan- the one who loves to eat. They call themselves the Pretty Committee. The Pretty Comittee takes in the new girl, Claire, who is from Florida, even though she is a fashion "no-no." Read about the Pretty committee and their ups and downs in this fun series. A great summer read! Lily, Age 13
Ah-mazing I thought that this was a great way to start off a great series!!! Massie's character is a bit to mean to Claire, but the end of the book makes you want to read the next book, "Best Friends for Never". I would recommend this book to girls between the ages of 12 and 18. It also all depends on the type of personality the reader has. A girl into fashion and drama would totally enjoy this book!
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