The Clique Summer Collection #5: Claire (Clique Series)

Back in Orlando for summer break, Claire's once comfortable and comforting world seems different --- almost like stepping into a time warp on a foreign shore. In the land of sunshine and bright colors, she works odd jobs for her younger brother Todd (owner of T-Odd Jobs, Inc.) to earn money for a back-to-school wardrobe that will pass the "Massie seal of approval." As if walking dogs, cleaning pools and washing cars aren't humiliating enough, she finds herself working up a sweat riding around on her old Powerpuff Girls bike.

After being apart for a year from her Florida best friends (FBFFs) --- Sarah, Mandy and Sari --- Claire realizes they haven't changed, except maybe for Mandy, who now wants to be called Amandy. The trio teases Claire about how she has changed, and not for the better. Deep down, Claire realizes she has changed, but she likes the new Claire. She doesn't want to offend Sarah, Amandy and Sari (SAC), so she tries to conceal her true feelings and emotions while caught between two cultures and two sets of friends.

Claire tries to reconnect with SAC by wardrobe shopping with them at the Dress Barn, all the while wondering what Massie would think. Fashion, beauty and style matters that a year ago Claire would not have questioned now bother her. She notices how SAC favor quantity over quality. Clothing texture or garish patterns don't seem to be an issue with them, and they still wear overly bright colors, which now look unfashionable to Claire. She tries to conceal her disapproval and even offers what she believes are helpful suggestions for SAC as they prepare for Kissimmee's much anticipated Miss Kiss pageant. But after a surprise package arrives at the Lyons's "estate" and an unexpected visitor shows up at their doorstep, Claire's friendship and loyalty are put to the test.

CLAIRE is the final installment in a five-part series of novellas, each one about a member of the Pretty Committee. Each story is a fresh and fun-to-read page turner with real-world advice for teenage girls. CLAIRE's message is one of fairness, loyalty and honesty --- and the true meaning of friendship.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

And though she's a great reader, she doesn't read as much as I'd like her to, so when she got hooked on the Clique series, I got her all of the individual books they came out with in the last year. She reports they are just as good as the regular books, but she's eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

The Clique Summer Collection
Lisi Harrison
Little, Brown and Company, 2008
ISBN: 9780316027502
4 stars
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 09/08
Perfect for Jr. High...
Claire is the fifth in the The Clique Summer Collection. I have not read the previous books in this collection, but I think it would be better to read them all in order. Claire has returned to Orlando and is glad to reunite with her Florida friends. They think she has changed, and they are not all sure they like the new Claire. As Claire is trying to convince her Florida friends that she is the same old Claire, Massie shows up. She doesn't really fit in with everyone else.
Claire is a story about growing up, maturing, and friends. Tweens will love this book. I'm all for anything that will encourage people to read. This one will definitely gain a fan club. Lisi Harrison has a flair for reaching tweens and understanding their world.

Sadly, this is the last book in the fabulous CLIQUE SUMMER COLLECTION series. It really ends with a bang, however!

Claire is back in Florida with her old best friends, and then Massie shows up. How can Claire handle having a group of friends that are not as popular as she is now, and Massie (who makes Westchester look like a snob town) in the same place?

And on top of all that, Claire is asked to judge a competition that she grew up wanting to be a contestant in. The same one in which all four of her friends are going to be a part of. How do you pick a winner?

Claire is very much herself in this novel, and even though this was not my favorite of the series, it had a fabulous ending and wrapped up the summer excellently.

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector