Best Friends For Never by Lisi Harrison

Pages: 197

Publisher: Little, Brown

Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult

Challenge: N/A

Release Date: October 6, 2004

The Clique is back . . . 

Massie Block: Still gorgeous. Still trendsetting. Still ruling the social scene at school… she hopes. To keep her spot at the top, Massie decides to throw the school’s first boy/girl Halloween party. But her parents are making her invite the entire grade AND share the party with Claire. She’s not sure which is scarier…

Dylan Marvil: Lost the weight. Kept the attitude. Plans to use her new look to snag a cute guy. 

Kristen Gregory: Clothes are for sharing. Guys aren’t. Likes the same guy Dylan does. Will do whatever it takes to get him. 

Alicia Rivera: With the Clique unravelling faster than last season’s Burberry sweater, is it time for Alicia to stage her takeover?

Claire Lyons: Still out. Wants in. Seriously needs to lose those Keds.

Stars: 3.5/5

Cover: B+

Plot:

Massie Block and her friends are back with more petty drama, comebacks, and fashion in the second novel in The Clique series. As always, the girls are fierce and relentless, and seem to always get themselves in some type of predicament.

When I first read this book in the fifth grade, I thought it was the best thing ever. Now, I still love the series (and the author), but this particular book in the series didn't pack as much of a punch as the other books did. I do remember from reading this series twice before that the books get better and better as they go on, so I'm excited to continue with the series.

Each book in this series kind of reminds me of a  TV episode. In each book, the characters get themselves into new situations, and it's not like (for example) the Harry Potter series, where each book is building up to the final book, where the climax of the entire series it. I really like that aspect of this series, because you don't necessarily need to read the books in order, or even all of them, to understand the storyline.

Characters:

I really, really like Claire. If I was in her position, and I had to go through what she did from Massie and her vicious friends, I would probably cry. I think she is an awesome role model for girls that are getting picked on or bullied, because she is such a strong girl that knows when to fight back, and fight back hard.

Lisi Harrison does an awesome job of showing that Massie is only mean because she insecure, which is true for most bullies. She just wants to be on top, and anytime she feels that her power is slipping, she needs to put someone down to make herself feel more mighty.

Writing:

At first glance, these books are shallow and are all about petty girls who like to pick on other girls. But, if you delve deeper, you'll see that the books are showing what length people will go to to be powerful, and on a slightly less serious note, why most "mean girls" are mean.

Lisi Harrison did a wonderful job of portraying all of this, and how to deal with girls like that.

Ending:

The ending leaves us with hope (as do many of the first books in the The Clique series) that maybe, just maybe, Massie and Claire can be friends. I love that, because it's a little teaser that makes you want to read the next book.

Cover:

I think all of the covers are really cute, with their corresponding colors and patterns. I like how each book shows three different girls not necessarily portraying the clique, but a clique.

Lovely Line:

"I see you watching me," Massie said, without even turning her head.

"Uh, I was just ---"

"Claire, do you work at a grocery store?" Massie asked as she was wrapping her tape measure around her mannequin's waist.

"Huh? No," Claire said.

"Then why are you checking me out?"

(Page 54)

The Final Verdict:

I love this series, and I think anyone with a sense of humor and a craving for clever comebacks and a fast, fun read will, too.

Read my review of The Clique.

FTC: Bought.