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Dial L for Loser: A Clique Novel

(2006, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Lisi Harrison)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    1.0
  • Common Sense says

    Tween book is S for superficial, C for catty.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Exclusion, cattiness, back-stabbing by girls in clique. Some parents don't have a clue that their kids are mean-spirited and behaving badly.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Discussion of first experiences with boys (lip-kissing, using tongues, being felt-up and horny). Descriptions of the appeal of a thin body; one girl thinks she's too big and has large "boobs." A boy "grinding [the] backside" of another while dancing.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Constant name-dropping of designer labels, stores, beverages, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Male actor holds unlit cigarette in mouth for look; parents drink alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dial L for Loser: A Clique Novel

Parents need to know that this novel is the sixth in a series about wealthy, privileged girls who are obsessed with material items, boys, and themselves. This book continues the degradation of the "new" girl, a middle-class "nerd" desperate to fit in. Most of the dialogue is about purchasing of designer labels, finding ways to "lip-kiss" boys, or scheming to bring another kid down. The presentation lacks any life lessons about maturation or reflecting on your actions.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the Pretty Committee as an example of cliques. Is the depiction of this group realistic? Why do you think this series is so successful? Is it realistic for kids to have such easy access to money and so few limits imposed by parents? Why does the "nerdy" girl stick with the clique? What would you do in her shoes? Does anyone you know act like this in real life?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

  2. I rate this title and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    don't skip it

    In rainydayqueen's review it says to skip this book but in my opinion you shouldn't because you won't understand what happened . It had mild sexual content but it's not as bad as the Gossip Girl series that deals with sex and drugs.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    good for tweens and up

    drug and alcoholism are not an issue in this story at all. the "new girl, middle class nerd desperate to fit in" becomes BEST friends with the pretty committee in the second book, and i don't think "lip-kissing" for 13 teen year old girls is really and issue

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    I love the series

    I do love The Clique series but this book was a bit off taste. There is a lot of catty behavior. Two celebrities fight over a cheating boyfriend twice and one drops out of a planned movie leaving the part for Claire,Massie and Alicia plant embarrassing things in Claire's dressing room to get publicity on the news,and a celebrity tells Claire they can't be "real friends" just "movie friends".There is gross sexual things too.A girl takes off her thong in a car with a boy and Claire watching and another girl beats her rival with her shirt and walks on stage in just a bra.Claire also makes out with teen hottie Connor when Massie sends the picture to Claire's boyfriend Cam making him upset.This book was entertaining though too i recommend the whole series

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    The Clique books are usually hilarious entertaining good books but this one was a little too over the top.A girl takes off her underwear in a car and throws it out the window.Another walks into a room in her bra.A male teen actor hits on a 12 year old girl and makes out with her for a movie scene.There's also horrible and catty behavior between girls.Skip this Clique book and go to the next one

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