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Flipped

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Honest story about first crushes -- tweens and up.

updated 01.21.10

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    The two main characters cheat in class. Bryce's father is sexist. Several characters say disparaging things about mentally challenged people. Nearly every character behaves poorly.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This deceptively simple novel about first crushes is a lot like real life -- sometimes too much so. All the characters mess up, usually repeatedly, and mostly through selfishness and lack of understanding and compassion, just like real people. And most of them change -- and change again.
  • Violence:

    Two girls fight over a boy.
  • Sex:

    Oblique reference to breasts. Thoughts about kissing, and an abortive attempt at a kiss.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Flipped was written by Matt Berman

Parents need to know that nearly every character, major and minor, adult and child, behaves badly. In some cases they learn better or regret their mistakes; in others (such as the main characters cheating in school) they don't. Because of the romantic subject matter, it will probably appeal mainly to middle schoolers.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the characters' behavior.
  • Why do they do the things they do?
  • Is Bryce really a coward? Is his grandfather fair to him?
  • Also, point of view is very important here. Why do the stories the two characters tell seem so different? Are they lying?
  • Do people really see the same events so differently? Why?
Did this review help you decide?

Is it a keeper for your kids?

Have you read it? Review It!

More on Flipped

Book Summary

In alternating chapters, Bryce and Juli tell the story of their relationship, beginning in second grade when Bryce moves in across the street from Juli. Juli instantly develops a crush on Bryce, who does not reciprocate, and throughout elementary school he tries to avoid her persistent and unwelcome attentions.

In middle school, however, they both begin to notice Bryce's substantial character flaws. Just as Bryce begins to try to change, and to notice Juli's good points, her ardor starts to cool. Meanwhile their families, and their perceptions of their world, also undergo dramatic changes.

Is It Any Good?

This deceptively simple novel about first crushes is a lot like real life -- sometimes too much so. There is hardly a character, major or minor, adult or child, who is really likable, though a few, such as Bryce and his grandfather, drift toward likability by the end. They all mess up, usually repeatedly, and mostly through selfishness and lack of understanding and compassion, just like real people. And most of them change -- and change again.

The alternating narrators device in FLIPPED adds another realistic layer to this multilayered book. Bryce and Juli describe the same events from their points of view, and they do so with surprising honesty. The differences in their versions come not from trying to hide the truth or justify their own behavior, but from genuinely seeing things differently. They both behave badly, Bryce especially, but they're both able to face that and to attempt the always difficult process of conscious change.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Publication date: 6/27/2006
Number of pages: 212, Price: $8.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 11, Read Alone: 11

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    About this book!!!!

    I dont love it but I like it I think its a very good book to read to your kids or little sister's or anyone, I think that if you would read this book you'd like it as well!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I really liked the book. My friend told me to read it and i enjoyed it very much. It's a really good book for pre-teens. The only thing I thought was bad was the band name. Also Juli's brothers and friends weren't the nicest and most charming people around. Beside that, Bryce's dad was kind of rude about Juli's home and family. I really loved the book. A fun and easy novel to read.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models

    Great book but mabe not for kids under 12

    Honestly, this book is my favorite book ive evr read and i saw the movie they r making for this book and it was phenomenal. the only part i think isnt tht great for kids under 12 was the part where characters say disparaging things about mentally challenged people. But except tht, its a GREAT book

  4. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great story about values and first love

    Underneath the story of a budding tween love are lessons about values. We see the consequences of anger, pride, judgment, and discrimination. We see the benefits of forgiveness, open-mindedness, and love. And through the honest reflection of the two main characters we probably see ourselves. A great story to share with your tween - we listened to it as an audiobook in the car and talked about it.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

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