The Ashleys #1: There's a New Name in School
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that it's all about the $2000 purses and $900 sweaters here. When they aren't shopping, the characters are scheming to get to the top of the social ladder or scheming to stay there. Parents are either absent, turning a blind eye, or trying to buy acceptance like their middle schoolers. The book is not as mean or racy as others in this genre, but it's far from sweet.
Families can talk about peer pressure, materialism, and self-acceptance. For more help on how to talk about cliques see our helpful guide.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Terreece Clarke
THE ASHLEYS #1 is the start of yet another series in the popular clique genre of books. While full of name brands and catty behavior, it isn't as cruel and risqué as other clique books -- and thankfully this light diversion is also a fast-paced read.
Popular author Melissa de la Cruz makes her characters easy to relate to and root for, despite their cattiness. Readers will want Lauren Page to overcome her awkward past, but most likely will cringe when she starts to imitate the bad behavior of the Ashleys, like ditching her old "uncool" friends.
Underneath the socialite bravado, each of the Ashleys is full of insecurities and tries to hide from them with nonstop shopping and designer name dropping. Ashley Spencer, the leader of the crew, is always on the cutting edge of fashion and always ready with a cutting comment. She also has a severe allergy she keeps secret. Ashley Alioto is the "nice" one; effortlessly beautiful and hopelessly in love with a cyberbuddy. Ashley Li is also gorgeous (surprise); A star student and over-scheduled, not only does she have to deal with the pressure of perfection from her mother, she is constantly chafing under Ashley Spencer's iron-fisted rule over the group.
Pretty girls say and do mean things and parental figures are usually nowhere to be found, so there's plenty to talk about with tweens/teens for parents who allow some guilty-pleasure reading now and then. At least the sexual content is dialed down a few notches here. Now that the Gossip Girl books are also a TV show, you'd almost call this book refreshing. Almost.
From The Book
Ashley allowed herself to be hugged by the two of them and walked out the door, checking once again to make sure she had that anti-allergy shot in her purse. It made her feel better to know it was there, especially since almost no one knew about her condition and she liked to keep it that way.
No way in hell was she going to be dumped in with Cass Franklin, that freak who had to eat in her own screened-off quarantined section of the cafeteria, alienated from all the other kids. Ashley had pretended for so long that she liked living on nothing but yogurt and spelt bread and raw vegetables that she almost believed it.
She was Ashley Spencer, the undisputed, unshakable leader of the Ashleys. No one told her what she could and couldn't eat.
Owning up to her allergy was admitting weakness. Seventh grade was a blackboard jungle. And Ashley Spencer made sure everyone marched to the beat of her own iPod.
Plot Summary:
There is a reigning clique in Miss Gamble's Preparatory School for Girls. The Ashleys are perfect at being perfect. The right clothes, hair, friends, the right name: Ashley. When Lauren gets an extreme makeover in time for 7th grade she decides that the Ashleys' reign should come to an end.
Related Books:
Other Books by the Author:
Angels on Sunset Boulevard
Mistletoe
The Au Pairs Series
Fun Girl Reads, Less Edge:
How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Reviewed: 12/26/2007
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome sexual humor, body-part discussion, and wanting to be "sexy." |
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ViolencePinching, tripping each other, and a kid has a severe allergic reaction to nuts. |
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LanguageSlang like "biatch" and "'ho." |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorThe girls are spoiled and mean. When they aren't shopping, they are scheming and lying. Standard clique issues with status, privilege, and anti-social behavior. |
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CommercialismYikes! Call the commercial cops. Every high-end brand name and store imaginable: Chanel, Fendi, Starbucks, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoAdults drink alcohol. |
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