The Clique

ANNOTATION

Wealthy Massie is determined to exclude middle class Claire, the daughter of her father's old friend, from her seventh-grade clique at a very exclusive private school in Westchester, New York, but after Massie steals her only friend, Claire strikes back.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Meet the Clique...

The most privileged middle-school girls navigate social minefields in this over-the-top, dramatic series set in suburban New York City's Westchester County.

Massie Block: With her glossy brunette bob and Whitestrip smile, Massie is the uncontested ruler of The Clique and the rest of the social scene at Octavian Country Day, an exclusive private school in Westchester, New York.

Dylan Marvil: Massie's second in command who divides her time between sucking up to Massie and sucking down Atkins shakes to try to get rid of the extra fifteen pounds that won't seem to leave her hips alone.

Alicia Rivera: As sneaky as she is beautiful, Alicia floats easily under the adult radar because she seems so "sweet." Would love to take Massie's throne one day. Just might do it.

Kristen Gregory: She's been dying to fit in ever since her parents went broke. She's smart, hardworking and will insult you to tears faster than you can say "scholarship kid."

And then there's Claire Lyons, the new girl in two-year old GAP overalls from Florida, who is clearly not Clique material. The only problem is that Claire's family is staying in the guest house on the Blocks' massive estate while they look for a new home! Claire's future looks worse than a bad Prada knock-off, but with a little luck and a lot of scheming, she just might come up smelling like Chanel Mademoiselle....

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Middle schoolers who have participated in the "popularity game" may be drawn to this series opener by a first-time author, which takes cliquish, snobbish behavior to Hollywood extremes. Massie Block, whom readers will love to hate, is rich, conniving and the uncontested leader of the "A-list" group of seventh graders at an exclusive private girls' school in New York's affluent Westchester County. When Mr. Block's unemployed college friend moves his family into the Blocks' guest house, Mrs. Block pushes Massie to befriend their daughter, Claire, who is the same age but dresses "like one of the cast members from Barney and Friends"; Massie predictably rebels. She wastes no opportunity to let Claire know there is no room for her in the in-crowd; Claire, however, decides to fight back. What follows is a rigorous battle of wills between the girls involving backbiting, scheming and carrying out nasty pranks. With an arsenal stocked with designer clothing and cosmetics, fancy cell phones and "mani/pedi" appointments, Massie and her friends publicly humiliate Claire time after time, and Claire, slowly but surely, figures out a way to turn Massie's friends against her. Readers who are initially amused may find that the successive acts of one-upmanship result in a one-note read-while Massie and Claire experience a moment or two of camaraderie, they stay pretty superficial, unchanged by their victories and defeats. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Cindy L. Carolan

Claire is not like the other 7th grade girls at the Octavian Country Day School, an exclusive private school she has just started attending as a result of her family's move from Florida to Westchester County, New York. She wears overalls from the Gap that are a few years old and her new Keds that she thought were great, are beyond horrendous in the eyes of the clique, a group of four conniving, judgmental girls. The leader of this group is Massie, whose family has opened their guesthouse to Claire and her family (the dads were college buddies) while they look for a new home. The two girls are thrown together with disastrous results. Few readers will actually relate to the lifestyles Claire's classmates lead: drivers to take them to and from school, multiple credit cards for superfluous purchases, cell phones, the mansions with pools and guesthouses, etc. Characters are thinly portrayed; one development in the plot attempts to expose each member of the clique weaknesses, but fails to effectively do so. The empty plot spins its wheels and goes nowhere, with little conflict resolution at the end. It's true that 7th graders, especially girls, can be cruel to each other, but directing them to read this book about the "have's" and the "have nots" is just a waste of time. 2004, 17th Street Productions/An Alloy Company, Ages 12 up.

VOYA - Stephanie Liverant, Teen Reviewer

The Clique was a sweet representation of life as a preteen. It was a little corny and goofy sometimes, but that only added to the genuine feel of the book and the characters. The book is definitely not one to expand your mind, but it serves as a nice quick read. The writing style was smooth and easy to understand, which makes it a bit more appropriate for a younger audience. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, Little Brown, 220p., Trade pb. Ages 11 to 15.

KLIATT - Olivia Durant

Massie Block has the perfect life: she has three best friends, dubbed "The Clique," who worship her; the latest fall fashions; and a gorgeous dog named Bean to dote upon. The student body of Octavian Country Day School looks to her in both fear and awe as a trendsetter. Then Claire and her family move into the guesthouse on the Block family property and this throws Massie's life into upheaval. Claire is completely out of her element in Westchester County, New York, where no one appreciates her white Gap jeans, navy blue Keds, and fondness for gummy candy. She tries desperately to make friends with Massie, who wants nothing to do with her and turns The Clique against her. However, Massie underestimates the feisty Claire as an adversary, and the two girls are soon locked in a contest of wills. The first book in a new series, this novel is a unique take on the popular "chick lit" genre for teens. One particularly amusing feature of the story is Massie's "State of the Union," her nightly report of what is "in" and "out" in her world. Despite the placement of numerous brand names on almost every page, Harrison creates characters that readers will want to get to know further. Recommended for younger teen girls who are not yet old enough to enjoy the Gossip Girl series. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, Little Brown, 17th Street Productions, 220p., Ages 12 to 15.

School Library Journal