Common Sense Media Review
By Terreece Clarke
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Refreshing Clique series spinoff features smart girls.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the book is an inspiring read for pre-teens and young teens, emphasizing individuality, talent, and inner beauty over superficiality, unlike some similar series. However, opinions vary, with some readers disliking its dramatic and sometimes mean-spirited characters, while others appreciate the positive messages about striving for success and self-acceptance in a competitive environment.
- inspiring story
- individuality emphasized
- mixed opinions
- character complexity
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Uber-famous billionaire Shira Brazille has founded an academy to help 100 girls cultivate their exceptional talents in various fields including dance, theater, science, and medicine. The Alpha Academy on Alpha Island has it all: cutting-edge technology, every comfort, extraordinary instructors, and five cute boys -- the \"off-limits\" sons of Shira Brazille. It's a dream come true, but it's also an intense contest to see which one of the 100 will rise to the top of the class and be crowned the Alpha and awarded the life she's always dreamed. Three girls from the Jackie O house hope to find their way into the spotlight, but each has a long way to go, especially Charlie who had to break up with Shira's son Darwin as the price for admission to the academy.
Is It Any Good?
Lisi Harrison's ALPHAS will beat many readers' expectations. Most will likely look for a continuance of the Clique series and though there is one character carryover, this novel is fresh, fun, and nowhere near as catty or brand obsessed. Instead, the focus is on the development and learning of 100 exceptionally bright and talented girls.
Harrison does a very good job of getting readers to care about these high-achieving girls (not just the boy-crazy and clothes-obsessed kind) while sucking them into the mystery of Alpha Academy's founder, Shira. She gives a general uneasy feeling about the island and its creator even though everything outwardly is very cool and benevolent. Teens will really like this quick read and look forward to he next in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about success. What defines success and who do you use as a role model of success? Would the media deem this person successful? Why or why not?
Where do your talents lie? Are you making the most of your talents? Why or why not? What could you do to further your skills?
What does the saying "big fish, little pond" mean? How does it apply to the girls at the Alpha Academy? How does it apply to people you know? What lessons can be learned from this saying?
Book Details
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