The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life [Hardcover]

Lauren Myracle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Alli longs to be popular, but fate just keeps conspiring to make her totallyuncool. Who else would be humiliated by a piece of her mom's underwear stuck to her butt by static cling? Despite the fact that Alli is certain the universe is plotting against her, she does eventually break into the inner circle of seventh-grade cool. But nothing is as she expected, and there's ugliness lurking behind even the prettiest face.Alli bares it all to her journal as she figures out where she fits in and, most important of all, what it means to be a real friend.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7 -Alli begins seventh grade with her mom's underwear clinging to her pants. The most undesirable guy in the class, Jeremy, not only notices, but also refuses to forget. Alli goes on to journal the ups and downs of her year as she struggles with relationships and feelings. She constantly is either keeping a diary or instant messaging; the whole story is told through her writings. Central to her thoughts is becoming part of the most popular girl's small circle of friends, thus turning away from her longtime best friend. The story is fairly predictable, but Myracle's insights into a seventh-grade girl's insecurities and feelings make this a fun read with some real truths.-Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-old Allison had hoped that seventh grade would be the year that she "finally stopped being invisible." But her first day of school brings more attention than she wished for: she unknowingly arrives with her mother's underwear clinging to her pant leg. Her "fashion disaster" has unexpected consequences when Rachel, queen of the popular clique, defends Allison against her classmates. Allison has conflicting feelings about her closest friend, Kathy, whose frequent jabs hurt her feelings, and she is more confused when Kathy accuses her of being a "wanna-be" in Rachel's clique. Myracle captures the stomach-twisting anxiety of middle-school friendship with spot-on details. Allison tells her own story in a diary filled with sharply authentic emotions that many kids will recognize: "I wish I were anyone but me." Supported by family members whom she finds both comforting and annoying, Allison finally learns to rely on her own instincts. Readers negotiating changing friendships of their own will find themselves in this honest, comical tour of middle school. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (July 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525472223
• ISBN-13: 978-0525472223
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren Myracle is the author of many popular books for teens and tweens, including New York Times bestsellers ttyl and ttfn (Abrams). She lives with her family in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1 of the BEST books I have ever read!!!:), September 23, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life (Hardcover)

Wow! I loved this book because of how true it was. I think that every girl, far and wide, can somehow relate to Alli (a seventh grader in this story) and that reading about Alli makes them so much more comfortable knowing that they aren't alone in the huge, scary place called junior high. Just remember, this is modern day junior high, so there are some curse words. I suggest that your child be at least 12 before reading this book.

Overall: A good, realistic book that any girl can relate to. But, because of the few curse words, this book is aimed at girls 12 and up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not appropriate, October 20, 2011

By 

Andre Lamb - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life (Mass Market Paperback)

The concept of the book sounded good. It appeared that it would be humorous and a relatable story. I was offended that they assume that young girls are this raunchy and exposed to such inappropriateness. I simply do not understand why people choose to include such sexual content and language. Newsflash: everyone is not exposing their young girls to such filth. Why not bring your reader up a level instead of belittling them. I am mad at myself for not researching the book better before my daughter brought the book to me and said, "mom this isn't appropriate for me." Seriously folks - just write for adults and you can say whatever you like! My daughter saw one of her other books at a book fair and said, "well i won't be reading anymore of her books!" My daughter is in the 6th grade!! Disgusted!!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, February 20, 2008

By 

Nelly "teendream" (Sacremento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life (Hardcover)

This book is pretty good. Not the best, but has a unique plot line, well-written story, and interesting characters with unique personalities. It's about a girl entering seventh grade with her mom's panties on her pants. The most popular girl (Rachel) in the grade defends her to everyone's surprise, and although the main character, Alli, realizes how unkind Rachel is in the end, Alli forgives all of the mistakes that Rachel makes throughout the book. The unique twist is that Alli's unpopular friend who has stuck with her thick and thin is exactly like Rachel, except she is unpopular. A fun read.