Book Review on "The Clique"                                         

Rich girl Massie is ticked off. She's missing out on her friends' Labor Day shopping spree and spa visit, because her father's friend is moving into their guesthouse with his family. Just because their daughter, Claire, is starting seventh grade at Massie's school, Massie is expected to pal around with her. Never mind that the new girl is a loser in old Keds and overalls who will never fit into Massie's tight circle. So that friend thing? It's never going to happen.

Meanwhile, Claire is nervous. Westchester, New York seems like a new planet compared to Orlando, Florida. And Massie and her friends are the opposite of welcoming. At school, Claire finds all the students dressed identically, and expensively. Massie's group is all about designer wear --- a whole new concept for Claire.

Massie's friends do a number on Claire, including viciously sneaking dabs of red paint onto the back of Claire's white jeans. When Claire's embarrassed male teacher sends her directly to the nurse's office, Massie's friends give her the wrong directions, sending her bumbling into the photography class darkroom.

The clique continues in its unrelentingly cruel tricks on Claire. Claire, however, earns a certain secret grudging respect by handling the harassment with graceful pride. Massie would never admit it to anyone, but she starts to feel a tiny magnetic pull to the new girl, and even feels the slightest twinge of remorse at the way she and her friends treat her. That doesn't change their behavior, though.

In the meantime, Claire wishes deep down that Massie and her pals could be her friends. Instead, she buddies up with fun and funny Layne, who is also not A-list. That friendship ends, though, when Massie steals Claire's new (and only) friend.

Claire enjoys the rare occasions when she is accepted into Massie's group, but she inevitably pays for the pleasure by being targeted with mean pranks by them afterward. Claire's grace under pressure finally cracks, and she deals Massie some payback, sinking low for revenge.

THE CLIQUE is a fun, fast read. The girls slowly reveal that they are more than the cardboard characters they appear to be. Claire is classy and intelligent, but occasionally shows some lapses in judgment. Massie and her friends gradually let slip intriguing hints that they are not quite the shallow monsters they seem.

Any girl who has struggled with wanting to fit in will no doubt gobble this book down, while eagerly reaching for the next one in the series. What will happen next with Claire and Massie? Stay tuned.

Web Page from http://www.teenreads.com/series/series-clique-titles.asp <--thank you!

MIRACLE ON 49TH STREET

BY: MIKE LUPICA

Twelve-year-old Molly Parker's life hasn't been the same ever since she moved from London to Boston with her vibrant mother Jennifer, who had sought medical treatment when she was diagnosed with cancer. Now an orphan, Molly has been living with her mother's former college roommate, Barbara Evans, and her family on 1A Joy Street (or, as Molly refers to it, 1A Joyless Street).

Molly finds school interesting and enjoys hanging out with her loyal friend Sam Bloom, a funny, super-smart boy who doesn't take himself too seriously but doesn't give himself enough credit where credit is due. She is grateful for the support and her mother's letters, but continues to feel a void in her life ever since her mother passed away.

Then Molly decides to seek out her mother's old college boyfriend, Josh Cameron, now known as the good-guy Boston Celtic MVP. She wants to let him know the sad news, as well as the secret she has kept ever since her mother revealed the truth --- that Josh Cameron is Molly's biological father. Molly is well aware that this could be a risky move but is determined to go through with her plan.

When Molly sneaks into the parking lot after a practice session, she is able to meet the basketball superstar. Josh is stunned to hear of Jennifer's death and offers his condolences to Molly. However, he refuses to believe that he's Molly's father, which sets Molly on a path to prove her mother's verity.

Molly's next opportunity to speak to Josh is at the Celtics opening night game. Because Sam's Uncle Adam is a sportswriter for the Boston Globe, Sam and Molly are able to snag free tickets and the chance to meet the team in the locker room while Adam interviews the players. The two friends formulate a plan that sets in motion the events whereby Molly enters Josh's private life. The partners-in-crime's crazy yet humorous scheme works, and Molly has the chance to get to know the man who once was the love of her mother's life before he broke her heart.

The association between Josh and Molly has to be kept a secret for now, and each are okay with that, even though Molly would like Josh to believe her unconditionally. Along the way, Molly meets some friendly faces, including Josh's motherly housekeeper Mattie, who uses her down-to-earth personality to smooth over the awkward new relationship. However, there are people and obstacles threatening to stand in the way of Molly's secret wish of having a real family once again.

Personaly, out of 10, I'd give this book a ten. It's a great book that can relate to all sorts of interests: girls/boys  sports, love, friendship, orphans, and a girl with a dream. This book is also being sold at Borders Bookstore on Church Street and you can also take it out at your own library.

from:http://aolsvc.teenreads.aol.com/reviews/0399244883.asp

RETURNABLE GIRL by Pamela A. Lowell

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