Reading Metrics
Description
In the exclusive world of a Westchester private school, Massie Block rules the most popular clique with her polished looks and sharp social tactics. When middle-class Claire arrives, she quickly becomes a target of Massie's exclusionary schemes. After Massie steals Claire's only friend, Claire refuses to stay silent and fights back against the clique's power. The story follows the ensuing social drama and the battle for acceptance among the school's elite.
Quick Summary
If you've ever wondered what happens when the "in crowd" decides you're not cool enough to sit at their table, this is the book for you. The Clique follows Massie Block, a seriously wealthy girl who rules her exclusive private school with an iron (but designer-clad) fist, and Claire, a new girl from the wrong zip code who's desperately trying to find her place. When Massie makes the mistake of stealing Claire's only friend as a prank, Claire stops being nice and starts playing dirty and watching her turn the tables is seriously satisfying. It's quick, funny, and reads like middle school drama distilled into its most entertaining form, which is exactly why kids who think they don't like reading tend to devour these books. Parents should know it deals with themes like social exclusion, jealousy, and some pretty petty behavior, but nothing goes too far, and there's actually a lesson buried under all the drama about standing up for yourself. The series goes on for quite a few books, so if your kid loves it, you've got plenty more where this came from. If your kid enjoys books about friendship messiness and the trials of navigating social hierarchies, they'd probably also like the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Ren e Russell.