| Booktalk
#1
The first time she saw him,
she flipped.
The first time he saw her,
he ran.
Is this the basis for a solid
relationship?
Ever since she saw Bryce’s
baby blue eyes in second grade, Julianna Baker has been completely smitten.
Bryce, on the other hand, has always thought that Juli is weird.
In eighth grade, however, everything
changes. After years of avoiding Juli, Bryce finally notices her, and is
surprised to find that she’s actually kind of cool. Different, yes—but
in a sort of cool way. After all, she raises chickens and sits in trees.
But when Juli finally looks beyond Bryce’s pretty eyes, she’s not sure
she likes what she sees.
The chapters alternate between
the voices of Bryce and Juli, and slowly the story of their eighth grade
year emerges—as well as some surprising similarities (and differences)
in their families. If you like sweet, funny stories with quirky characters,
chickens and trees, Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is the book for you!
(by Aarene Storms of King County Library System for Evergreen
Young Adult Book Award, 2003-2004.)
Booktalk #2
Bryce: "All I ever wanted was
for Julie Baker to leave me alone ... she was dangerous!"
Julie: "The first day I met
Bryce Loski, I flipped. It was his eyes ... something in his eyes..."
Ever since Bryce moved in across
the street from Julie, when they were both in second grade, there was chemistry,
of one kind or another. Julie pursued Bryce with unabashed passion,
and he avoided here with equal devotion. She was so weird about stuff,
like that whole business with the chickens and the eggs in sixth grade;
boy, did that hit the fan! And their families were as different as
night and day ... at least, that's what he thought. But since that
first meeting, many things had happened to change his mind. Now they
were in eighth grade, and the question was: Had she changed hers?
(New Hampshire Great
Stone Face Committee)
Booktalk #3
Julianna: I can’t believe how lucky I am to be living across from the most
handsome boy in school! Bryce Loski and his family just moved in. The first
time I saw him, I flipped! What beautiful blue eyes! Does he like me? Well,
I’m not sure. Hmm, in fact he did go into his house and not come back out.
No matter. I will keep trying.
Bryce: I can’t believe we moved into a house across the street from the
most annoying girl in the world. Juli Baker is good soccer player, true,
and she seems really, really smart. But, once she climbed that big sycamore
tree at our bus stop. What was that about? I am polite to her, but I’m
trying to keep my distance.
Julianna: I was a little disappointed when Bryce didn’t climb up the tree
with me. The city came to chop it down. I have never been so sad. Didn’t
they know from up on the top you can see the entire block and the town?
I can feel the wind in my face and smell the sunshine. It’s amazing up
there. I’m trying to forget about it so I better go concentrate on my science
fair project.
Bryce: Juli Baker won the science fair again. She hatched chickens from
eggs. Now she’s decided to keep them as pets. My grandpa asks why I don’t
have Juli as my friend. He says she reminds him of Grandma—full of life.
Hmmm. I’m not sure if I see that. She sits behind me in science class though
and I’ve noticed she smells my hair. I can hear her sniffing! I’m still
not sure I understand Julie. I know her family has gone through some difficult
times, well so has mine.
Will Juli and Bryce get together? This he said/she said follows Julie and
Bryce from 2nd grade through 8th grade. You’ll flip for Flipped.
(Barbara Stewart Zinkovich, barbiez@bellsouth.net,
USC library intern)
Booktalk #4
Have you ever wondered what the opposite sex is thinking? In the
story Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen you are able to see the story of
a boy and girl from each character’s point-of-view. In this amusing
story you learn how two different people can see the same situations in
very different ways.
Bryce first met Julianna when his family moved into the house across from
hers. Being only in second grade, Bryce reacted as most boys do to
girls that age…he hid. Not only did he hide from Julianna during
the second grade, but he also spent the rest of his elementary and most
of his middle school years trying to avoid her. On the other hand,
Julianna fell in love with Bryce the minute she met him. She stayed
hopelessly in love with him during all of that time he tried to avoid her.
Yet as boys and girls grow up, feelings often change. Just when Julianna
decides she is through with Bryce, he can't stop thinking about her. Will
it be too late for Bryce or will Julianna forgive him for all the years
of running and give him a chance? Read Flipped to find out what causes
each character to change his or her feelings and what really happens between
a boy and a girl. (Sandra M. Brundage, jimufl@bellsouth.net,
USC MLIS Student)
Booktalk #5
From second grade to middle
school, Juli Baker has had a crush on Bryce Loski. Unfortunately, Bryce
does not feel the same way and, frankly, he thinks Juli is weird. The two
teens alternately tell their stories and share their feelings and thoughts
about one another as well as other serious problems. There are lots of
egg jokes and humor in this novel, interspersed with realistic dialogue
and social commentary. This fast-paced romantic comedy will be a sure hit
with all young teens. (Sunshine
State Young Reader’s Award Program, 2004-2005)
Booktalk #6
When Juli met her new neighbor
Bryce, in second grade, she fell in love and he felt exactly the opposite.
She loved his bright blue eyes and long black hair. He was the most popular
guys in school. He hated her 'know-it-all attitude' and thought she
was just plain weird. She knew the answer to everything and raised
chickens in her backyard. For the past five years Juli has been chasing
after Bryce while he has been avoiding her. Then everything flips. Bryce
does some things that he regrets and causes Juli to hate him. Juli says,
"I felt a cold, hard knot tighten in my heart. I was through with Bryce."
At the same time Bryce falls in love with Juli and realizes there's
more to her than meets the eye. Bryce says, " I'd spent so many years
avoiding Juli that I never really looked at her, but now I couldn't stop."
Will they end up together or will she hate him forever? Find out in Flipped
by Wendelin Van Draanen. (Anja, student)
Booktalk #7
"Some of us get dipped in flat,
some in stain, some in gloss... But every once in a while you find someone
who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare." (p.
96) Bryce's grandfather could see that Juli was iridescent well before
Bryce could. Bryce was mostly annoyed with Juli, who attached herself
to him when his family moved to her neighborhood just before second grade.
Bryce was embarrassed at her clear crush on him and how odd she was.
Bryce said, "Flat, glossy, iridescent. What was up with that?
Juli Baker had always seemed just plain dusty to me." (p. 97)
But then there was an incident with the eggs and the tree that got cut
down and right about the time Juli looses interest in Bryce, he starts
to notice her more and more.
This is a quiet romance, filled
with humor and poignant thought. Juli is a beautiful character who
is comfortable marching to her own drummer. Bryce, well, Bryce.
Could he ever be iridescent too? (Book Talk Author: Jenna Obee, The
Colorado
Blue Spruce Award nominee 2012)
Booktalk #8
When seven-year-old Bryce moves
into Juli’s neighborhood, she is smitten. She says, "The day I first met
Bryce Loski, I flipped. Honestly, one look at him and I became a lunatic.
It's his eyes." However, Bryce thinks she’s the most annoying person on
the planet. “All I've ever wanted is for Juli Baker to leave me alone."
As she constantly pursues him, Bryce dodges her attentions, even though
his grandfather, who finds her uniquely delightful, tells him, "Every once
in a while you'll find someone iridescent, and when you do, nothing will
ever compare."
Six years later, they are eighth
graders, and their opinions have flipped. When Juli begins a campaign
to save a huge sycamore in their neighborhood, Bryce begins to admire her
spunk and tenacity. He can’t seem to get her off his mind. However,
Juli has finally had it with Bryce’s self absorbed behavior and realizes
his character matters much more than his appearance. In alternating “he
said – she said” chapters, the story of Bryce and Juli’s relationship unfolds.
Will Bryce be able to undo the damage his thoughtless behavior has done
to their relationship over the years? (Book Talk Author: Sharon Nehls,
The Colorado Blue Spruce
Award nominee 2012) |
