Review – Not Fair, Clare
Posted by shelburns on December 18, 2008
This is the 2nd book in the Clare Series.
Title: Not Fair, Clare
Author: Yvonne Prinz
Review Copy Provided by: Chronicle Books
Summary of Book: It’s the first day of eighth, but Clare isn’t nervous. Who cares if all the other girls look like they just got back from Camp Total Makeover? With her new BFF Allison by her side, Clare’s ready for just about anything.
But Clare’s rival, so-popular-it-hurts Ginny Germain, wants Allison in her clique – and Allison doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she fits right in. Soon, Allison’s eating lunch at Ginny’s table and getting invited to all the parties. And Clare’s not.
Now Clare feels so invisible, she might as well go back to hanging out with her friend Elsa (who’s used to the whole “invisible” thing, ’cause she’s imaginary). But these days, even Elsa’s too busy for her!
Without Allison and Elsa around, Clare is beginning to realize that having a best friend – real or imaginary – is the most important thing of all…
My Review: Clare is now in the 8th grade and doesn’t need Elsa as much as she did before. One reason is because she has Allison. In this, the 2nd book in the series, Clare has grown up, with breasts and all. Once again, Prinz takes us into Clare’s world and the world of many teenage girls growing up today. With Elsa, Clare never had to deal with jealousy, losing a friend to the “in” crowd, or boys. Now she does, and Prinz writes the story so well. Real world issues are brought to light in this book: lying to your parents to go to a party, sticking up for your friend so she won’t get in trouble, pesky young neighbor kids, and boys. In this story, Prinz brings in a young girl, Patience, who adds such humor to the story, but yet, causes the reader to see another side of Clare. A caring, empathetic, loving Clare.
“On the fifth day I’m curled up in my chair, watching Patience sleep with her arm wrapped around a stuffed penguin, when Simon walks through the door of her hospital room. I’ve missed three Macbeth rehearsals, which is bad.”
Clare learns more about herself in this story, as Prinz brings to light one of Clare’s talents: acting. Again, Prinz has built on a great character that pre-teen and teenage girls can grow with.
