The Clique: A Novel
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| Image:OMG THE CLIQUE.PNG | |
| 1st edition cover | |
| Author | Lisi Harrison |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Clique Series |
| Genre(s) | Young adult |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
| Released | May 5, 2004 |
| Media Type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 220 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-316-70129-7 |
| Followed by | Best Friends for Never |
The Clique: A Novel or The Clique is the first novel of The Clique Series by Lisi Harrison. It was published in 2004 by Little, Brown and Company.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
The plot follows the new girl, Claire Lyons, at the high end private school Octavian Country Day School while she struggles to fit in with Massie Block and her best friends Alicia Rivera, Kristen Gregory, and Dylan Marvil (the self proclaimed "Pretty Committee").
[edit] Plot summary
The Clique is the first novel in The Clique Series by Lisi Harrison. The story follows a stylish clique in 7th grade at Octavian County Day School where designer brands are essential and luxury cars are a common sight. Massie Block is the leader of the Clique (a.k.a. The Pretty Committee) that Claire Lyons strives to enter.
At the start of the story, Massie wishes she could be out on a Labor Day shopping spree with her three best friends rather than spend the weekend with her father's college friend and his family, including Claire. Even though Claire is friendly to Massie, she is rejected at home and at school where Massie is flanked by Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil and Kristen Gregory, because of her shoes, Keds, and "Rather be dead than Ked" Massie usually says. However, Claire does make one friend named Layne Abeley, an outcast at school who Claire is nevertheless drawn to for her quirky sense of humor and fun.
In hopes to destroy Claire's attempt to join the Clique and keep up her reputation, Massie has her friends humiliate Claire throughout the novel. For example, they painted a red spot on Claire's white pants that give off the impression she was menstruating. Hoping that will teach Claire being part of the Clique is not an option, Massie focuses on winning ninth-grader Chris Abelely's heart.
Massie meets Chris Abelely while horseback riding on Labor Day. When she discovers that Layne Abeley is Chris's sister, she befriends Layne in order to get closer to Chris. She takes Layne on a trip to the mall with many difficulties, Layne isn't the world's best shopper. Massie deals in her attempts to get next to Briarwood's hottie Chris, to gain more popularity around the school, and because she likes him.
Despite the cruel treatment, Claire hopes to win Massie's friendship and fit in by going to one of Massie's exclusive sleepovers. On another instance Massie is late for a pool party at her house, and while Kristen, Dylan and Alicia are waiting Claire talks to them and even has some fun. When Massie arrives, though, the girls resume their usual attitude towards Claire and Massie has them humiliate Claire by throwing food at her, while Claire holds back tears.
Claire uses a scheme to win over the rest of the Clique. While Massie takes her dog, Bean, for walks every evening, Claire sneaks in to use her computer and impersonate her by using Massie's IMing account. Using this plan, she convinces Massie's friends to befriend her. She also takes advantage of having Massie's identity and convinces them to start a fashion trend that Massie really doesn't know about, insults Dylan and even learns that Kristen is actually poor and on scholarship. The girls buy Claire new clothes, a cell phone, invite her to parties and even turn on Massie, temporarily kicking her out of The Clique.
Throughout the book, Massie and The Pretty Committee have a plan partially to help Kristen with a school project and also to maintain their social status. They create a homemade line of makeup they call Glambition. They start selling lip gloss on the bus during a field trip, but the project backfires many customers have allergic reactions to nut products used in the recipe.
Massie discovers what Claire has done and makes up with her friends. All of the girls are angry at Claire. At the end of the novel, Claire and Massie make amends at the annual OCD benefit (hosted at the Block Estate), but while Claire is not yet part of the desired Clique, there are indications she will enter in a later book. Also, Massie finds out that Chris Abeley already has a girlfriend named Fawn, but she decides not to tell her friends. http://www.lisiharrison.net
[edit] The Clique Series
- The Clique: A Novel (May 2004)
- Best Friends for Never: A Clique Novel (October 2004)
- Revenge of the Wannabes: A Clique Novel (March 2005)
- Invasion of the Boy Snatchers: A Clique Novel (October 2005)
- The Pretty Committee Strikes Back: A Clique Novel (March 2006)
- Dial L for Loser: A Clique Novel (August 4, 2006)
- It's Not Easy Being Mean: A Clique Novel (coming March 7, 2007)
