Twice Baked Thursday: Flipped

Title: Flipped

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen

Pages: 212
Publisher: Ember
Publishing Date: Oct. 9th, 2001

Genre: Contemporary/Coming-of-Age

Audience:  Middle Grade

Source: Library (Randi) Library (Becky)

Rating: 3.5 I'd bid on this book at the Basket Auction so its feelings don't get hurt (Randi) 3.0- I wouldn't notice this book was in the auction

Goodreads Summary:

The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance.

Our Thoughts

Randi in black. Becky in Blue

First off, I love the cover of this book. It's one of those covers that 1) make you pick up the book, and 2) actually fits the book.  I only got a movie cover :(. (There's a MOVIE?!) Plus it's a little bit offbeat compared to other covers. Anyway, moving on. I love the dual narrative, a style that can really make or break a story, depending on how it's executed.  The chapters were relatively short and alternated between Bryce, a young boy growing into himself and figuring out who he wants to be, and Juli, a sweet free-spirited young girl with strong convictions.  I found the short chapters a little confusing paired with the switching between two characters.  It seemed like I just figured out who was talking when it switched again.  Sigh. While Bryce at first seems a little typical of an adolescent boy, I came to like his character by the end of the story. I never did, lol. (Awww, he tries!!) He comes to realize the consequences of his actions, something I wish all middle schoolers learned!  It seemed like he got off pretty light for being a jerk for so long.  I wanted justice. Harsh, Becky, harsh! His grandfather is a pretty cool guy as well. Juli is the kind of girl I would totally want to befriend; she's a little eccentric and not at all stereotypical. I admire her love for the sycamore tree and the way she explains her feelings. Her interactions with David and other family members also made me want to hug her.  I never connected with either character, and I think that was my major problem with the book.  I'm guessing the age difference and lack of serious issues for most of the story were what alienated me.   I also couldn't really relate to either of them. Yeah, I think that may be the "middle grade" shining through! 

I feel like this book has a good lesson - and, indeed, it does feel a bit didactic, (It slaps you in the face with preach, lol) but it's an important message - but, as a middle grade book, it doesn't have much crossover appeal.  It felt somewhat antiquated to me, despite being "contemporary".  Most of the values and actions felt like I went back in time 50 years.  And not in a good way. Examples? The Basket Auction?  The science fair projects.  Trying to save a tree by sitting in it.  Also, just the overall language and characters. :P The Basket Auction felt like a big plot device and also felt like it was tacked on to the end to wrap things up.  I completely agree. Overall, I appreciate the idea that comes out in this story: get to know people and don't judge. I heartily recommend this book to middle school or early high school readers.  It's not so much that I won't recommend this book, as I'll be hard pressed to remember it by next week. Ouch! That's why we write reviews, right? :)