Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: Best Friends and Drama Queens

Cabot, M. (2009). Allie Finkle's rules for girls: Best friends and drama queens. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary

Allie Finkle and her friends are fourth graders who try to welcome a new girl, Cheyenne, into their classroom. Instead of appreciating the girls' offered friendships, Cheyenne tells the girls their lack of interest in boys and kissing makes them immature and proceeds to upset the balance of a peaceful and happy class. All children who have been in school can relate to the excitement and anxiety that happens when a "new kid" joins the class, as the whole class works to figure out the new student's spot in the already established social circles of the class. Allie and her friends do not agree with Cheyenne that they need to have boyfriends to be cool or mature, but are not quite sure how to speak their minds when the whole class is against them. The issue even turns them against each other! Cheyenne also teases the girls for being "babyish" because they still play pretending games. Eventually Allie lets herself break down, having a good cry in her closet when she becomes overwhelmed by the problems she faces. While in the depths of despair she struggles whether or not to tell her mother, then worries about the consequences she may face with her classmates for opening up. This issue of how "grown up" to act at certain ages is one all children will encounter as they grow up, as well as facing peer pressure to do things they know are not appropriate.

Worth a bookmark?

Allie Finkle and her friends are so realistic they remind me of my group of girlfriends when I was in fourth grade! Allie is portrayed as a strong girl who, although she sometimes misses the mark, tries very hard to do the right thing. A reader walks away from this book learning the lesson of the old phrase "What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular." They see a great example of resisting peer pressure—great not because it is easy, but in the sense that it is worthy and makes a stronger person. Readers also learn about dealing with difficult people in a mature way, meaning standing your ground without being rude or mean. Readers who are paying close attention may also be reminded that trusted adults are great resources for help and advice when tough situations arise. Finally, young readers may realize that it is okay to be a kid, just as Allie was in no rush to grow up and have a boyfriend.

In my library…

The Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series would be excellent for a book club for fourth and fifth grade girls. Both the characters and problems are realistic and not superficial, so readers could easily relate and put themselves in the story. For example, the theme of this particular book is dealing with growing up. Throughout the story the characters struggle to balance what they want to be and do with what other kids their own age are doing, as well as what their parents and teachers expect. For the first time they are told by a peer that what they enjoy is "babyish" and to be mature they must do something they do not understand and are uncomfortable doing. This makes them question their values and views of their world. It seems as though this may be the first time Allie and her friends have encountered serious peer pressure. Although they try to resist, even Sophie and Caroline give in to do what Cheyenne says simply because it is easier or less embarrassing than to go against her. Allie finds that sticking up for herself and what she believes does not make her popular with the girls in her class, yet she does not give in and in the end is proud of herself and stronger for it. A reader can easily imagine she and her own friends in the situations Allie and her friends encounter, and may learn some valuable lessons about how to survive growing up following Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls.

Reviews

Gr 3–5—Allie Finkle is anxious to return to school after a rather boring winter break. Her spirits perk up when she hears about a new girl from Canada who will be joining their fourth grade class. However, Cheyenne is not what Allie and her best friends expected: she's a bully and thinks all the girls are immature. Cheyenne forms a new clique and institutes a new game which involves chasing boys on the playground and kissing them when caught. She orders all girls to "go with" a boy, even though most of Allie's classmates don't have a clue what they means. In this third book (Scholastic, 2009) in Meg Cabot's series, Allie decides she's not quite ready to be a grown-up and wants to enjoy life as a kid, no matter what Cheyenne tells her. Narrator Tara Sands perfectly voices the naïve but charming nine-year-old, expressing Allie's rollercoaster of emotions. She easily transitions from incredulous Allie and strong willed Cheyenne to sweet but authoritative Miss Hunter. The pacing is faultless and the production quality is first-rate. An excellent choice for individual or classroom listening.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN (School Library Journal)