Dial L for Loser: A Clique Novel - Lisi Harrison

Tween book is S for superficial, C for catty.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
1
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Book details
  • Author:Lisi Harrison
  • # of pages: 268
  • Publisher:Little, Brown & Co.
  • Original Publication Date: 11/13/2006
  • Genre: Fiction - Friendship
  • Paperback: $9.99
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 12
  • Read Aloud: 12
  • Read Alone: 12

Parents need to know

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.

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?

Message

Social Behavior:

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

Consumerism:

Constant name-dropping of designer labels, stores, beverages, etc.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

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

Violence

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

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Pamela Gelman

Having been expelled from Octavian Country Day School, the Pretty Committee members (Massie, Dylan, Alicia, Kristen, and newcomer Claire) are up to their elbows in shopping, hanging out, and talking about themselves. An opportunity arises to audition in L.A. for a part in a tween film that stars their favorite teen actors.

Surprisingly, Claire -- the least glamorous of the bunch -- beats out Massie and Alicia for the part. She develops movie friendships with two teen stars, aggravating the others even though they land roles reporting on the movie happenings for an early-morning news show.

Tricks, miscommunications, and back-stabbing put Claire right back where she started -- at the bottom of the clique heap -- though there's a hint of potential film career.

Is it any good?

1
Writing realistic books for the tween female genre isn't a simple assignment. The characters and dialogue must seem real, or the book will be shut faster than a new cell phone. And it's easy to fall into the traps of creating predictable, one-dimensional characters and developing a plot line that exploits common fantasies of this age range.

Such is the case with L is for Losers. There's no doubt that author Lisi Harrison, a writer for MTV, knows this crowd -- what appeals, what's trendy, what's enticing. And clearly with the following of the Clique series, she's touched a nerve with this demographic.

But instead creating a novel that helps girls see through the shallow world of cliques like the book's Pretty Committee, Dial L For Losers, perpetuates stereotypes of kids, specifically girls, being malicious, gossipy, jealous, materialistic, and unable to learn from experiences in a way that shows maturation and taking responsibility for yourself.

While the "nerdy" (and most sympathetic) character does appear to get a taste of popularity and learn something about herself, the others are as self involved at the end of the book as they were in the beginning.

Other choices

For a poignant read in the coming-of-age genre, try Perfect by Natasha Friend. For something lighter, check out Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 81 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Rockylover Kid contributor, age 14

heart it

this book is awesome. I like that massie is strong- willed.She is also caring for animals and has great friends. She doesnt show it but she has a soft side for everyone.She is my role model.
5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Rockylover Kid contributor, age 14

heart it

this book is awesome. I like that massie is strong- willed.She is also caring for animals and has great friends. She doesnt show it but she has a soft side for everyone.She is my role model.
0


Posted on 06/12/08 by lolcutie995 Kid contributor, age 13

UGH!

I hate this book. it's just about a bunch of spoiled low life vain girls who only care about brand names and them selfs. never read this!
5

Posted on 06/03/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

5

Posted on 06/02/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

MUST READ!!!!!!

this book is one of the best from this series. it took me about two days to read it and i absolutly loved it. i cant wait to read the final two books!!
5


Posted on 04/25/08 by baileyboo Kid contributor, age 13

"ah-mazing"

first off I am a Big reader just since january i've probably read atleast 100 books. So anyway i looked through some of my favs from this year and most of the time you adults agreed with me but this like a few others the adults were off in one area from me. The sex problem. Now i go to a tiny private school so there is in no way a problem with stuff like that and anyway my point is if you think that a guy grinding is a problem you need to pay more atention to your kid or the fealing "horny" *cough* hormones *cough* and with the making out in the book most girls who haven't had ther first kiss yet (like me) love reading about it happening to other girls, but just because they've read it doesn't meen they're going to go out and let a guy "feel them up". its a great book i love it! if they are under 10 though u need to know your kid well.
5


Posted on 04/06/08 by love_ya123 Kid contributor, age 11

4


Posted on 03/27/08 by tennistay94 Kid contributor, age 13

Prada... Gucci...Chanel... Dior... Juicy Couture

It's very entertaining and loveable. The characters, though, are extensively superficial and materialistic. Many high end designer names are dropped, possibly causing younger kids to conform to what society considers, "popular." It conveys what today has considered "acceptable" to be. Otherwise, the book is a great read to all tweens. Sort of kiddie, but Lisi Harrison's ability to inject humor and suspense, makes up for the loss of reality.
5

Posted on 03/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

Amazingly creative

the first time you see it, it might be the overly cliched story about girls trying to get popular and then in the end the nerdy girl gets what she wants. Or something like that. But it's so not like that. I love these books. I recommend it everyone over 12. These books are very easy to love, and I heard a lot of people say that they are the only books they ever read and liked. It's true that the story can get a little unrealistic but that makes it more exciting and unpredictable. But hello? It's FICTION.
Age 13+
2


Posted on 03/15/08 by Shanabee Adult contributor

See all 81 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 11 reviews.

Age 13+
2


Posted on 03/15/08 by Shanabee Adult contributor

Age 11+
0

Posted on 02/19/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Badly written book about catty girls

Parents should know that this book is full of girls that are mean to anyone they think is a loser, fat, nerdy, or poor. They are fixated on having the newest, most expensive clothes, and the hot boys from the boys' school. They discuss kissing and sex in ways that are inappropriate for the target age group. Worst of all, these girls are in middle school, far too young to be buying Marc Jacobs and Prada, not to mention being "felt up!" Keep tweens away, the book has no redeeming value.
Age 11+
5


Posted on 09/19/07 by Tabibaby051294 Adult contributor

Age 13+
1


Posted on 06/01/07 by common_sense_user_12 Adult contributor

More like an ad than a book

I wonder if Lisi Harrison gets paid extra for including so many brand names in her books. Literally, every page is like an ad for cell phones, jeans, iPods, shampoo, conditioner, you name it. Tween girls love these books, but I can't see why. They're boring and dumb. There's also a lot of offensive material. The girls flirt with boys whenever possible, spend all their afterschool time shopping, backstab their friends and much more. Much better books in this genre are: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series The Babysitters' Club books
Age 17+
5


Posted on 05/27/07 by usaid4ever.... Adult contributor

Age 13+
0

Posted on 04/29/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 13+
5


Posted on 01/25/07 by leeee Adult contributor

A must read book for ages 11-14

A GREAT BOOK! ONE OF THE BEST. I READ IT AND RECOMMEDED IT TO MY DAUGHTERS WHO ARE 8,11 AND 14, THEY LOVED IT! AND I WOULD GIVE IT TO THEM AGAIN! BEST BOOK EVER!
Age 13+
0


Posted on 01/10/07 by headmistress Adult contributor

Like one big commercial for a trendy superficial and unrealistic lifestyle

what a waste of paper and time. Sends horrible message to girls about what friendships are about.
Age 13+
4

Posted on 12/19/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I loved this book!

Dial L for Loser is a well-written book. There may be some issues with cliques and social behavior, but this is something we deal with in everyday life. This book relates to middle-schoolers well.
Age 17+
5

Posted on 12/14/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

lighten up =]

i read this book with my daughter and i thouhg tit was great. .and some of the people who disliked the book need to face the facts; this is how it is. Maby not everyone has th edesigner things like the characters but they are exactly that, characters it's jus t a story and there is no need to make a big deal about it, so i say enjoy the book, unless you're a closeminded person
See all 11 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 70 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Rockylover Kid contributor, age 14

heart it

this book is awesome. I like that massie is strong- willed.She is also caring for animals and has great friends. She doesnt show it but she has a soft side for everyone.She is my role model.
5


Posted on 11/13/08 by Rockylover Kid contributor, age 14

heart it

this book is awesome. I like that massie is strong- willed.She is also caring for animals and has great friends. She doesnt show it but she has a soft side for everyone.She is my role model.
0


Posted on 06/12/08 by lolcutie995 Kid contributor, age 13

UGH!

I hate this book. it's just about a bunch of spoiled low life vain girls who only care about brand names and them selfs. never read this!
5

Posted on 06/03/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

5

Posted on 06/02/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

MUST READ!!!!!!

this book is one of the best from this series. it took me about two days to read it and i absolutly loved it. i cant wait to read the final two books!!
5


Posted on 04/25/08 by baileyboo Kid contributor, age 13

"ah-mazing"

first off I am a Big reader just since january i've probably read atleast 100 books. So anyway i looked through some of my favs from this year and most of the time you adults agreed with me but this like a few others the adults were off in one area from me. The sex problem. Now i go to a tiny private school so there is in no way a problem with stuff like that and anyway my point is if you think that a guy grinding is a problem you need to pay more atention to your kid or the fealing "horny" *cough* hormones *cough* and with the making out in the book most girls who haven't had ther first kiss yet (like me) love reading about it happening to other girls, but just because they've read it doesn't meen they're going to go out and let a guy "feel them up". its a great book i love it! if they are under 10 though u need to know your kid well.
5


Posted on 04/06/08 by love_ya123 Kid contributor, age 11

4


Posted on 03/27/08 by tennistay94 Kid contributor, age 13

Prada... Gucci...Chanel... Dior... Juicy Couture

It's very entertaining and loveable. The characters, though, are extensively superficial and materialistic. Many high end designer names are dropped, possibly causing younger kids to conform to what society considers, "popular." It conveys what today has considered "acceptable" to be. Otherwise, the book is a great read to all tweens. Sort of kiddie, but Lisi Harrison's ability to inject humor and suspense, makes up for the loss of reality.
5

Posted on 03/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

Amazingly creative

the first time you see it, it might be the overly cliched story about girls trying to get popular and then in the end the nerdy girl gets what she wants. Or something like that. But it's so not like that. I love these books. I recommend it everyone over 12. These books are very easy to love, and I heard a lot of people say that they are the only books they ever read and liked. It's true that the story can get a little unrealistic but that makes it more exciting and unpredictable. But hello? It's FICTION.
5


Posted on 03/12/08 by cliquecutie15 Kid contributor, age 12

the best book ever!!!

if you like out of control rich girls cute boys lots of dissing lots of laughing girls fighting then you will love this book plus the whole series I'm almost done with it but I wish there were more. Once you start reading them you can't get enough of them I read one of the books in one day. unbeliable. You will difently like these books. Parents if you are not sure wheather or not to let you r kid read these book i would totally say yes. You have no idea what your kid is missing out on!
See all 70 kids reviews >
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45 votes