 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Flipped
- By Wendelin Van Draanen
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Honest story about first crushes -- tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK
i just finnished this book i couldn't put it down!! i hate reading but this book was awesome! love the ending and the dad in the story is mean put it is just telling you looks aren't as important as everone makes them out to be. im 12 and absoultly loved it! parents i would suggest this book for them.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 1, 2011
AGE
Much like others
Juilianna isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in but, Bryce is...this book is a lot like the book StarGirl i have read. You should read both! ;) :D
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AGE
Flipped
This book is wonderful i love the way juli acts and bryce too i think that juli should trusted bryce again even though bryce through away julis eggs and she made fun ok her uncle david.
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AGE
I LOVED THIS BOOOOOOOOOOOOOK! i love how it was set up! it was cool becuse you can't find many love storys with kids this age in it i highly recomend it girls and guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
I simply love the book (the film, too). I like reading the same scenes from different points of views and seeing how Bryce sees some events in a completely different light. I guess you can really relate to the characters and that's what makes it so great. :-)
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AGE
Perfect for middle schoolers.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It's a story for kids throughout middle school i read it in my 8th grade year and i couldn't forget about it. During that year i was looking for books that really targeted my age, not book that involved 16-18 year olds, so when i found this book i was surprised, because not many books were like this. It really showed how growing up is and how middle school goes. It had a real life approach to it unlike some other book which made me love it. It also showed what was happening from both Julie's and Bryce's point of view so you can see how their feelings change. I would recommend this book to all kids in middle school, it's about crushes, rumors, and how things change, but it is told in a very real, almost old fashioned way. Its a very life changing book about how we see and treat others.
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AGE
BUY BUY BUY
parents buy this book for your kids. amazing. i love it.
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Kid, 12 years old
September 19, 2009
AGE
ehhhhh
it wasnt that good but for 9 and up
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AGE
perfect for tweens
I love this boook sooo much! The stroyline is great, and the only bad thing is a few times when someone swears. The characters aare friendly and it's a great story to read such as for a book club or other.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 10, 2010
AGE
I love this book it is on of the best books i have ever read.
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| Author: | Wendelin Van Draanen |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | June 27, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 212 |
| Hardcover price: | $14.95 |
| Paperback price: | $8.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 11 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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