Flipped

Van Drannen, W. (2001). Flipped. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Plot Description: For weeks, Juli was looking forward to the new neighbors moving in because they had a son her age and she desperately wanted someone to play with.  When Bryce finally arrives Juli immediately falls in love, and stalks Bryce for the next six years until her feelings all of a sudden change in eighth grade.  She overhears Bryce talking with his friend about her Uncle who has special needs and she decides he isn’t worth her time.  That is when everything flips and Bryce starts liking Juli.  She wants nothing to do with him. but that doesn’t stop him from trying to kiss her and climbing in her window.  As a last attempt to win her over he plants a tree for her in her front yard.  As he is walking away he see Juli in the window staring at the tree and then she waves to him.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 5-8.

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Personal Thought: The two main characters in this book take turns narrating each chapter.  It gives the reader the perspective from each character.

Subject/Themes: Love, Friendship, Relationships

Awards: School Library Journal Best Book, IRA-CBC Children’s Choice, IRA-CBC Teacher’s Choice, & Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Winner.

Character Description: Bryce is seven years old at the start of the book.  He has just moved in across the street from Juli and has been trying to avoid her ever since.

Julianna (Juli) is also seven at the start of the book.  She falls in love with Bryce from the moment she sees him because of his blue eyes.

Annotation: It is love at first sight when Juli lays eyes on Bryce for the first time but she is seven and obviously Bryce doesn’t feel the same way.  Over the years Julie love only grows but will Bryce ever change his mind?  Read along to find out.