Library Reads:Wendelin Van Draanen's Flipped

There honestly is not enough good books about kids transitioning between their childhood and teen years. Flipped is definitely one that is suitable for that age group though. While the 8th graders in the story seems a little too young for their age it still introduces concepts and themes that are important for that age group. Considering that middle schoolers can be the worst about bullying this book really tries to tackle the idea. It does end up a little bit fairy tale, but one that does try to say that even when people seem lost they are still able to be redeemed while others we have to ignore.

Since childhood Bryce has been running from Julie, and Julie has been chasing Bryce that is until their 8th grade year when things flip. Bryce begins truly learning about Julie and her family, and after all these years of believing she was crazy for chasing him to be friends he begins to understand the judgmental perception he had set up of her. Julie continues to reach out though, but when she finds him throwing away the eggs she gave him it is the final straw for her, and she begins shifting away from him. The more Bryce attempts to reach out to her though the more mess ups that happen along the way.


Flipped captured me more than I expected it to. I don't usually read young adults novel as they don't have the same appeal to me as I they did when I was a teen, and I certainly don't read novels targeted to older elementary kids or middle school aged groups, but thankfully I did pick up this one after hearing about it. Flipped actually relies on character development quite well, and has nice small twists in the story that keep it moving including the development of Bryce's father. The very harsh reality of who he turns out to be is even difficult for me to still digest. There are these small adult things that are never delved into for the sake of young adult reading, but the fact it's presence says a lot.

There are also other things present I've never thought about, but it's how people perceive people with mental handicaps. In this story, Julie has an uncle who does have a mental handicap, and when this is found out this does bring her teasing. It's very odd, but for some reason many kids automatically react with teases toward this subject, and anyone related to someone of that group. Thankfully, as a substitute teacher I have witnessed there are kids who really try to reach out to those who are physically or mentally handicap, and take them into their group to give them a place with friends, though I will be honest they are a fewer bunch.

The age audience printed on the side of the copy I checked out of this said it was for at least a 10 year old, and I think that is a fair assessment. Flipped seems like a suitable novel for anyone who is 10-13 years of age. It brings in a lot more things that kids will begin to realize by the time they are that old, and uses appropriate language for that age group. The book is also labeled a romance, and while that does lurk and grow beautifully in the story the story really has something a little bit more to offer.

Rating 8 of 10