Book Review: Flirt Club

Flirt Club

By: Cathleen Daly

Published By: Roaring Brook Press

Release Date: January 2011

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Challenge: 2011 YA Debut Authors (Story Siren)

**This is a Young Adult novel*

I need to begin this review by making it perfectly clear that this is a cute read for middle school students, but it was just not for me. There were some things I really enjoyed, but they were far outweighed by my complaints. As always, even though this book wasn't my favorite, I can understand the thought and effort put into the work by the author.

I really enjoyed that this book is told only through notes and journal entries. I always find novels done in this manner intriguing. This format really helps you get into the characters' heads. However, since I found one of the characters to be truly annoying, having half the book told from her perspective caused the read to drag. I think if the book had been told totally from Izzy's perspective I might have enjoyed it more, but Annie's sections became so tedious for me. Again, I think part of the problem is I am not an 8th grade girl whose into drama. I wasn't into the drama club even as an 8th grader so I can't really speak on if Annie's voice rings true to that group.

However, I am an 8th grade teacher and I can tell you that very few of my students would talk the way Annie often does. I read them some excerpts and they said it sounded more like things a 6th grader would say. Annie is constantly making up words and calling people random names like porkchop. I also found it totally disgusting that she spends quite a few notes discussing her bowel movements. I understand getting nervous before a big test, audition, or talking to your crush - but do most kids these days really share information about their poo with their friends? Perhaps times have just changed. I also found Annie to be whiny; she just grated my nerves. 

There was also so many references to theater and musical theater that I was lost during those moments. I knew some of the plays - To Kill a Mockingbird - but some were totally foreign. Again, as someone who was never into the stage I may not have been the best reader for this book. I would be interested to see if others who are into that would enjoy this more.

I also thought the brief nod to Fight Club was cute. The only rule of Flirt Club is to not talk about Flirt Club. I wonder though if younger teens would pick up on this reference. I also remember me and my friends creating stupid little groups like this in middle school. However, I couldn't help but think back to The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg as I read this one. The clubs are created for different reasons, but I couldn't stop comparing the two after that point.

Finally, I rated this book as a 3 because the writing is strong and I did enjoy one of the main characters. I don't think it's a bad book by any means, but it just wasn't the right read for me at the time. I probably would not have read this one if it had not been part of a challenge. This is one of those books that will be loved my younger teens, but was not accessible to older readers. Again, I can't fault the author for that. She wrote with a specific audience in mind. However, I also think some kids will be turned off by Annie, thus, the 3 rating.

One Last Gripe: I hated the cover. It doesn't even look like Izzy or Annie.

My Favorite Things About This Book: Izzy's Journal Entries & the Locker Attack


First Sentence: Well, it turns out 8th-grade math is just as breathtaking and exciting as 7th-grade math. (NOT!)

Favorite Character: Izzy aka Cisco

Least Favorite Character: Annie

Summary:

When two self-professed middle school drama geeks––Isabelle and Annie (a.k.a. Cisco and The Bean)––fail at their attemps in romance, they start Flirt Club, an after school support group for similarly afflicted friends who decide to take decisive and strategic action with hilarious and touching results.