The True Meaning of Cleavage
By Stephanie Dunnewind,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Despite risque cover, this is about friendship.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Jess, an artist and sci-fi fan, and her one friend, Sari, start their freshman year in high school. Jess, the narrator, is ordinary and insecure; Sari is \"hot\" and doesn't care what people think about her. \"Basically, it was inevitable that we became best friends. We are essentially the only normal people in our entire school, the only girls who don't communicate by squealing and squeaking.\" Sari gets labeled a tramp by the school cliques when she falls in love with the most popular senior boy, David, and encourages him to break up with his long-time, devoted girlfriend, Thea. Sari's actions become more desperate, until Jess' betrayal thrusts the conflict into the school spotlight.
Is It Any Good?
The cover, with the title words plunging down a girl's low neckline and a "laugh out loud funny and way twisted" endorsement by Meg Cabot, give the wrong impression of this book's tone. It's an insightful, introspective story about the bonds -- and frailties -- of friendship. Jess is rather horrified by Sari's behavior, which includes drinking and casual oral sex. A popular clique ("the Prada Mafia") comes off as stereotypical, but Fredericks avoids turning the older crush and his girlfriend into villains. Without didacticism, she highlights the drawbacks of Sari's sacrifices, even when Sari doesn't perceive them as such.
At times, the story bogs down and readers join Jess in wishing that Sari would just move on already. Teens may root for Sari's success with her true love, but Fredericks rightly sticks with the harsh reality of broken promises. Jess learns she can survive outside Sari's flamboyant shadow while still supporting her friend.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about looks. Jess believes that "hotness gives you that essential self-confidence and sense of power that you can rely on forever." Her mom thinks that "hotness" isn't that important since looks fade. Who do you agree with? Families can also discuss what girls and boys can expect from a relationship, in contrast to Sari's one-sided affair with David.
Book Details
- Author: Mariah Fredericks
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon Pulse
- Publication date: June 1, 2004
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 12
- Number of pages: 211
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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