Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney (Laugh And Learn) [Paperback]

Trevor Romain (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Laugh And Learn

Cliques can make you sick. If you’re on the outside, you’re treated like dirt. And if you’re on the inside, you have to follow the rules. Who needs more rules at school?

Written for every kid who has ever felt excluded or trapped by a clique, this book blends humor with practical advice as it tackles a serious subject.

Trevor Romain starts by explaining what cliques are and why they exist: because everyone wants to have friends. He reveals why some cliques are so annoying—and often full of phonies. And he shares the secret to being popular: just be yourself!

Trevor knows how to get through to kids. As readers smile at his cartoons and laugh at his jokes, they’ll also be learning skills they need to make and keep friends—real friends, not people who pretend to be cool.

They’ll discover that some supposedly “popular” kids are lonely and miserable inside. And they’ll pick up important self-esteem tips that will help them feel good about themselves (because there’s no need to let a bad clique spoil a perfectly good day).

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-8-Youngsters who are sometimes victimized by their peers will appreciate this reassuring and humorous treatment of cliques versus friendship groups, phonies versus real friends, and popularity versus being popular with yourself. Romain defines these concepts, provides examples, and explores commonly held myths about them. With a sense of ease and lighthearted humor (sometimes bordering on the truly silly), the author serves up solid advice in friendly, reassuring prose, often using slang words, such as "Duh!" and "barfed." The book's expressive black-and-white cartoons, open layout, and easy-to-read text will appeal to reluctant readers. A solid purchase.
Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Reassuring and humorous…. A solid purchase.”—School Library Journal

Parent Council®  Selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; 1 edition (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420457
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420455
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science > Sociology
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Peer Pressure
  • #29 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Social Science

More About the Author

When South African-born Trevor Romain was 12, his teacher told him he wasn't talented enough to do art, but 20 years later he discovered that he could draw. He has since written and illustrated more than 30 children's books, and he has an animated video series for kids based on his best-selling, award-winning books. Trevor also visits schools to speak to children, and he spends his free time with kids who have cancer at the Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 12, 2001

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney (Laugh And Learn) (Paperback)

My mom bought me this book yesterday, and I thought it was so good that I finished it within 30 minutes. It really told me a lot about cliques, and friends. I've never been in one, and I wouldn't want to be in one, but I've always been excluded by them, and made fun of, so this was a great book. It told me that even though people in cliques act like they're cool, really they're just looking for a group of people to hang around with so they look tougher.

I think this is a great book for any kid/teenager who is either involved in cliques, or excluded by cliques. This is a great book for both, and a must read for anyone who has met up with cliques and phonies.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friend or Clique?, February 28, 2006

By 

Just My Opinion (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney (Laugh And Learn) (Paperback)

As an educator (elementary principal), I see students faced daily with decisions that place them to either leave someone out, or they themselves, are left out. Trevor does a fabulous job of explaining how/why a "clique" can be hurtful. Students learn how to spot "a fake", how to make and keep friends, popularity truths/myths, and tips for cliques/friendships. The book is "kid friendly" and an easy-read. At the end of 2006, this book should be made into a dvd and we can't wait! If you are not familar with Trevor's other books/dvds, make sure you check them out. They are a great resource for students - whether you are an educator or a parent.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ IT NOW, April 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney (Laugh And Learn) (Paperback)

This book changed my life our forth grade teacher read it to the class after we'd been having troble with cliques. evrything the book talks about is true now we solve our clique problems with out using names or using examples from the book to put the bullys in the bullyed shoes.
Signed
Clique Hater