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Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day (by Meg Cabot)

common sense media says

Cabot for tweens introduces a spunky heroine.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the main character is innocently fascinated with the gory details of a boy who got run over by a car, reflecting on his "splattered brains." She also enjoys horror movies and refers back to certain scenes that may make a young reader's skin crawl. A group of kids are cruel to a cat, swinging it around in a suitcase, but are punished later.

Positive messages: Bad acts have consequences; good deeds are rewarded. Allie realizes she's not being a nice friend and tries to change her ways.
Violence: Reference to "splattered brains" from a car accident; some mild horror movie images; a cat is treated cruelly, but the act is punished; mention of one newt eating another one.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Brands like Polly Pocket and Bratz are mentioned specifically; the line seems blurry between commercial endorsement and the author's attempt to integrate real-life "girl culture" into the book.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what it's like to move. Are there any good things about moving and changing schools? Peer pressure is also an issue in the book. Was there a time you had to stand up to a friend? If you saw someone hurting an animal, what would you do?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Allie Finkle doesn't realize how much she likes her old school and old friends until her parents announce the family is moving into a dark and creepy house straight out of a ghost story. As Allie tries to decide if her parents are crazy, she creates a secret book of rules for herself that's full of reminders like, "Treat your friends the way you would want them to treat you" and "Don't get a pet that poops in your hand." Allie's complete list of rules is included in the back of the book -- kids shouldn't read them until they're done or it might spoil some surprises.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Younger fans of Meg Cabot's other bestsellers -- like The Princess Diaries series -- will be eager to meet Allie Finkle, the heroine of Cabot's first series especially for tweens. Allie's not very likable at first. For instance, she complains bitterly about her best friend, Mary Kay, calling her a cry baby when she's the one that often brings her friend to tears. When Allie realizes that her own behavior could use some improvement, she creates a book of rules to remind her of simple and rather offbeat things to keep herself in line, such as: "Don't stick a spatula down your best friend's throat."

Allie becomes more likable and relatable as her family's moving day approaches. Kids who have been there will feel for her. She hates the house (saying it was probably rejected from the TV show My House is Really Old. Won't Someone Fix It, Please?) and wants to foil her parents' plan but knows she has no real control over it. But Allie will get over it and kids looking for engaging, light reading with a quirky heroine will be looking forward to Allie's next adventure and her next set of offbeat rules.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: March 1, 2008
Number of pages: 232
Hardcover price: $15.99
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 9
This review was written by Kate James
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

slovesdogs2000
kid, 11 years old
8
 
Tweens will luv it!
EXtremely cute book! I have moved 2 states and I totally know how she feels. It just might be a bit hard for younger kids to understand and she is a little naughty... BUT TOTALLY LIKE ME!!! I luv meg cabots book and i am addicted to her books!
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (9)
dragonsrule
kid, 12 years old
8
 
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allie's family is moving and she does some bad things, but she gets in trouble for them. I think this is a good book for kids 8 and up. Some brands of toys girls play with are mentioned but this is still very good.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (9)
AGmadeline17
kid, 13 years old
9
 
Very good book for kids 9+!!!!
I have read all of the Allie Finkle series so far and I love them! They are very entertaining and super funny. Product placement is used, as Allie mentions Dairy Queen, American Girl Dolls, Wal-Mart and more, which I don't consider an issue. Allie isn't the best role model at first and some of her "rules" are not necessarily the best, but most of the time she is a good role model and most of her rules are good keys to life. I give it 4 and a half stars!!!!! The 3rd book is my favorite.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (6)
TotallyKool
teen, 14 years old
9
 
BEST BOOK EVER!!!
I ? THIS BOOK, IM ASKING 4 THE SECOND BOOK 4 CHRISTMAS!!
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golden retriever7
kid, 12 years old
7
 
It's a GREAT book
I love this book I bought the 2 book and liked it just as much! I think it was kind of funny. I think this is a great book!
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
hot cocoa love 931
kid, 11 years old
8
 
If your looking for a good book to read, this is it.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!!!!!! This one was very good, I especially liked the part where she meets Erica, and learns to like her new home. So far Iv'e read the fifth one, and I'm looking forward to the sixth. GREAT BOOK!!!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)

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