Why was it more difficult than normal to find this book? It should be in every library!

This was a book that I wish I had read in high school.  I was shocked when I went to the library a couple weeks ago, and they had to get this book sent to me from a different library!  After reading it entirely, I know it really should be everywhere.  So, here's me spreading the word on this book... :)

Jamie Bartlett, became a famous author (pretty much overnight!), all because she accidentally handed in her own journal as her English assignment.  After being fed up with rude popular and picture perfect girls, her journal demonstrates a story made for all teen girls.  

Based off of her true reality as a freshman in high school.  Her main character Isabella transforms into 'IS'  and has superpowers and it changes everything; we read how with the simple motion of a 'Flick' can create a balance between her friends and her vs. the Evil Clique of Populors.  

Everyone (mainly teen girls-- but everyone) goes crazy about this book.  Even everyone in her school.  It is top rated, number one! You'd think that Jamie had it all.  She was flying to Hollywood and New York City; making appearances, doing interviews, signing books.

But not many people expect Jamie to be like Jamie, they think of her as 'IS', which puts even more pressure on Jamie.  Jamie/IS is a huge role model to young teens and by the end of the story you can see why.  Teen girls feel empowered.  They are standing up for themselves, and believing in themselves.  This message is definitely carried over into our book, and I was rooting for all the girls that felt left out throughout her story.  Reading about the 'less-popular' girls smiling and feeling great put a smile on my face, for sure.

 Especially today, I think there is more of a focus concerning bullying and treating each other with respect.  It seems as if adults are just now realizing how some students are being treated.  I wish I knew about this book in high school as there are many of the same qualities and/or situations I feel I can completely connect to.   I can only see this book becoming more popular as we demonstrate treating people as you'd want to be treated.  This would really be a great read for girls just entering high school.


This book was a great read.  Like I have mentioned before, it does take me back to my high school years. Although they mention characters in the book that younger readers nowadays might not be aware of  (such as the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Amber Tiffany), the way the author set the book up, I don't think that it would affect how the reader connects to the book.  It would almost be as if readers nowadays may think they are made-up characters. 

Anyways, the boys, cliques, popularity, family members, they all play a huge role in the lives of everyday teen girls.  I don't think people tend to understand the kinds of pressure teen girls are under in our society, at times.   This book is made for all girls (and boys!), but it really does send a great message.  Believe in yourself, stop putting yourself down, try and be positive, be you FOR you.

P.S.-- One of my favorite pieces of advice in the book... is putting sticky notes around your things to write down POSITIVE things about yourself.  That way, you can read it and believe in yourself even more :)