Flipped

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen Review by Mrs. Maureen D. Coelho Read this hysterically funny story about two young kids who meet by chance when Bryce and his uptight parents move into Juli's neighborhood. It is the summer before their 2nd grade in school when the moving truck backed into the driveway, and they began unloading their belongings. Juli jumped up on the vehicle and right into Bryce's life. She locked eyes on Bryce's blue eyes and almost kissed him. Each chapter of this hilarious story is a delightful yet different version of the same situations told by Bryce then by Juli. Their families are quite different. Bryce's father is judgmental and opinionated. His mother is quiet and dominated by her husband. They are obsessed with their appearance and what people think about them; they still did not show compassion or kindness toward each other or the grandfather. Bryce's family is distant and unemotional. Even after the grandfather moved in with them, Juli's father is a hard-worker who loves to paint. He has a brother with medical issues that he financially cares for and physically visits on the weekends. They are not concerned with the upkeep of the house that they rent. They do not surround themselves with fancy, name-brand clothes, or expensive household items. Juli is a strong-willed, full of life, energetic girl who blossoms into a beautiful yet unique young woman by the end of the story. Bryce is a typical, naive boy who is not interested in girls or drama. When he first met Juli, he thought she was pushy, obnoxious, and forward. He watched her from a distance as she succeeded in many things, including winning the School Science Fair, raising chickens, hatching and selling chicken eggs, climbing trees, and landscaping her yard. Juli received some much-needed help from Bryce's grandfather. The two became close friends and shared personal information about themselves as they worked. Bryce was jealous that Juli and his grandfather became so close when the grandfather barely spoke to Bryce or his family. Juli has a likable personality, and she supports her opinions with rational actions. She even climbed the tall tree on their street and protested so the township workers wouldn't cut it down. Bryce began to see the real Juli, and he slowly started to like what he could see. Opinions about each other change slowly throughout the story as Juli and Bryce get to know each other better. Bryce thought her family was crazy, needy, unkempt, and lazy. After Juli explained to Bryce's grandfather that they rent the house so they can afford to keep Juli's uncle close to them to visit him often. Bryce begins to identify Juli's strengths as positive character traits. He admires her father for loving his brother so much. He respects her brothers for following their dreams of becoming musicians. Bryce realizes that his father is sad and regrets giving up his ideas to work and have a fancy house. As Bryce begins to fall for Juli, she starts to think Bryce is lazy and doesn't stand up for his beliefs. She slowly loses interest in him and no longer wants to have him be her 1st kiss. I rate this story 4 stars out of 4 stars. This the real story is easy to read and understand. It is entertaining to read the same situation explained by two different people. The characters are likable and humorous. The author leaves you to imagine the courtship of the two main characters. You do not know what will happen next, but it is evident that Bryce connects with Juli's feelings. Topics of discussion include a first kiss, romance, dating, neighbors, science experiments, self-worth, endangered trees, hatching chicken eggs, and family support. The target audience for this straightforward read story is aged ten and up. There is no profanity or explicit dialogue in the text. Everyone wants to fall in love and find true happiness. As you read Juli's conversation, you can imagine her first kiss with Bryce and how special it would be if it would happen. It makes you think about your first kiss and your first crush. I enjoyed the adoration both characters had for each other. The book was much better than the movie. The setting for the film is the 1950's in America. I did not pick up on clues in the book to think it took place in the 1950s.

Such a good book. My daughter had this read in two days. She loved it because she watched the movie first.

This book was the 1st ever book that I read like this. I read this when I was a 2 grader and I'm now going into the 8th grade. This book made me fall in love with books. When I read this book I realized there was more to books than just words, its a whole adventure that you can get lost in. Since then I have read many books with different perspectives and they continue to have me like them but they never seem to quite compare with what I felt after I read this. I felt it had been so long since I last read it and since I got a kindle and didn't know what to read I figure why not go back to my roots. And I'm so glad I did. I read the book in about 4 hours spilt between two days. But overall in just so glad I picked up this book back then and got to experience a book I would never forget.

My fourteen year old niece asked for this book for a birthday gift. She said she loved it. :)

Too many complimentary adverbs to start listing them. If you want a perfect read aloud book to children, this is it. If you want a book to restore your adult perspective, this is it. If you want a book that will make fundamental changes in how you see others, this is it. Kudos Ms. Van Draanen!

Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss...." He turned to me. "But every once in a while, you find someone who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare."--Wendelin Van Draven, Flipped Relatable. Nostalgic. Simply, iridescent. Coming of age stories are great at giving you a sense of nostalgia. From the first time you developed a heart-racing crush to the moment you learned that life doesn't always operate as how you imagined it would. Love, let's be honest, is weird. Juli has loved---*ahem*was infatuated with, Bryce Loski since the day he moved to the neighborhood. (I don't want to give much away, so forgive me for being brief.) She'd be ecstatic to see him to the point she'd run up and hug him. As they got older, she even *spoiler alert* sniffed his hair for his scent. Yes. Weird. But remember, she was very much into him. Now Bryce, being a little boy, wasn't used to the idea of girls. Especially to the young, enthusiastic Juli Baker. The years go by, and while Juli's still very much head over heels for Bryce, the latter has taken it upon himself to stay clear of the lovesick girl. Events happen where we see a "flip/switch" in Bryce's and Juli's attitudes. This book isn't a simple story about falling in love as a kid. Oh, it's far from that. Not only is this story about understanding the feelings we have as we grow up, it's about seeing people for who they are and what that adds to or removes from the bigger picture. In the words of grandfather Chet, some people are not always the "sum of their parts". Speaking as a 20 year old, Flipped is a timeless classic. Beautiful from start to finish and will leave you wondering, "Are they the sum of their parts? Are they flat, satin, or gloss? Or are they iridescent?"

I bought this for my 13 year-old daughter after reading the reviews. She loved this book so much that she finished it in a day. She said it kept her interest, was a smooth read, and she wishes there was a sequel! She’s even started reading it for a second time.

This was a wondering book for our teenager. They where interested in the story, the book was a good and easy read and they where able to take something from it. Great read for the summer or the school year.

really good book also watch the movie after you read the book

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A very thoughtful gift for a 14-year-old girl.

Fui atrás do livro após ver o filme. Excelente livro.

I generally don't read fiction and not romantic stuff especially. But this book is an exception for me. It is a lovely book to read. It is special for me as it is very much relatable to my own story. The style of writing and narrating a love story of childhood days are just refreshing to read. I recommend everyone to read it as it is a refreshing story to read.