Review of Flipped by Wendelen Van Draanen (c. 2001)
I really enjoyed Flipped, it was quite a surprise. While the core plot was somewhat predictable, boy moves into new neighborhood in the second grade, finds neighbor girl icky at first, then over the course of a few years, in eighth grade, much has changed and she is not so icky anymore. She falls head over heels in love with him from the first blink of his blue eyes and suffers rejection after rejection. However, sprinkled in were some very tough facts of life, issues of poverty, substance over wealthy facades, unrequited love and how incredibly painful that is, what people can and do sacrifice for others, or a lifestyle. Also, a theme that runs throughout the novel is looking beneath the surface, of anything, human beings, nature, relationships - how we all make (erroneous) assumptions about people based on looks, but if you give a person time, find they are quite different than you thought. Also, the main characters, Julianna and Bryce, learn how to think for themselves, even in the face of adult and peer pressure. They stumble, get embarrased, they fall, but ultimately, they get back up and learn about life. I think this would be wonderful reading for the targeted audience, 8th graders, but even a bit younger, and like me, quite a bit older (I am 41). It was a fast read, very sweet book and I even found myself tearing up a time or two. I recommend Flipped highly and just purely enjoyable ~ and a good lesson on stopping a bit, and remembering what is important.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Carolyn
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