Nobodies and Somebodies [Paperback]

Doris Orgel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1993

Fifth graders Laura, Janet, and Vero will do anything to be popular until they realize that the price they might have to pay is their self-respect and friendship.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Popularity and friendship are the themes of this quietly assured tale. Beth, Liz and Vero--the girls with whom everyone in fifth grade wants to be friends--have formed a secret club and won't let anyone else in. Janet and her friends start their own club, the Nobodies (Nobs for short). Laura, a new student, is caught in the middle: she wants to be friends with both Janet and Vero. Told from the alternating points of view of Janet, Vero and Laura, this tale of friendship and rivalry is fresh and authentic. In the course of the narrative, all of the characters are allowed to develop; even snobbish Beth and Liz are revealed to be vulnerable as well as mean and glamorous. Readers will recognize themselves in this slice of upper elementary school life. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Arriving midterm at her new school, Laura is drawn to three girls who obviously are best friends and have formed an exclusive club. The story is told in succeeding chapters from the viewpoints of Laura; Janet, another excluded girl; and Vero, a recent arrival in town who has been accepted by the group because she seems to have the necessary attributes. In the end, all the problems are sorted out and both the nobodies and somebodies have an opportunity to join an open, environmentally sound club. The arrangement of the chapters is not entirely successful because the resulting flashbacks and overlapping versions create an untidy and somewhat confusing progression. Vero's account is almost a complete story in itself without the issue of clubs. While the book will find an audience, the unhappiness caused by cliques deserves a more serious treatment and a less contrived conclusion. --Phyllis G. Sidorsky, National Cathedral School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014034098X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140340983
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #781,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars ALRIGHT, May 3, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nobodies and Somebodies (Paperback)

this boook was ok. I decited that It was a little yourg for me. i recomend it to younger readers from 8-10. Doris Orgel conveied the whole cliques and clubs are bad well, but it could have been done better.

5.0 out of 5 stars the best book of a stroy of any girls life!!!, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nobodies and Somebodies (Hardcover)

If you want a book that is the truth about any childs life and the ups and downs of growing up this is the perfect book. even though it may be a easy, big print childs book anyone can relate to it. I have read this book many times and I have grown older but I would still recommend this book anyday