Harrison, Lisi (2004). The Clique. New York, New York: Poppy. ISBN: 9780316155779
220 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Chick-Lit
Age Level: 15-17
Stars: 3 stars
Subjects: Popularity, Cliques, School, Relationships
Reader's Annotation
Summary
Claire Lyons is in seventh grade and when her parents move from Florida to Westchester County, NY, her family stays with Mr. Lyons' old friend who has a daughter the same age as Claire. Claire doesn't have the right clothes, the right attitude, or the right background, so Massie, a queen-bee in the making, decides to make her a target of her clique's pranks from the more innocuous insults to the cruel pranks. Claire doesn't know how to respond to any of this, and when she attempts to defend herself, the tormenting gets worse. This novel is filled with designer references and trendy spots that readers will identify with, but it will also seriously date the series and make it merely humorous to read in years to come.
Notes
For readers looking for a more satisfying depiction of high school life, Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld might be an interesting choice. Younger female readers are the target audience, and with a direct-to-DVD movie released earlier this year, the series as a whole will be likely to gain in popularity, however short-lived it might be.
Other Information
This is the first book in a series of at least 9 books that describe the adventures and insults of this particular clique. It can be horrifying and gruesome at times, but ultimately it lacks the punch held by other novels, and the redemption that you wish would happen never seems to arrive.
Author Information
