Flipped. The book I couldn't stop flipping. This spectacular novel is by Wendelin Van Draanen, the book has a he-said, she-said style, having two protagonists with two different views. It's crazy how both of them, more often than not, say something that contradicts the other. Such as the part where Juli thought Bryce liked her, since misinterprets his stares at her. When the truth is Bryce was not staring at her but rather on her quiz paper, he was only copying her answers. The book may look like it's all about light teen romance, but within the book there is a deeper message. While the main characters Bryce and Juli finds who they are and what they want to do, I too, found myself.

Bryce Loski, the blue-eyed hottie used to avoid Juli Baker, the girl who followed him since they were seven. He always thought she was an annoying weirdo. Juli Baker, on the other hand had the warmest personality I had ever seen, ok, maybe not seen but read. This is something Bryce had missed out for the longest time, until one day he learned to look beneath the surface, he flipped. But is it too late for him? Did Juli really like someone else?
It all started in second grade when Juli and Bryce was caught holding hands by Mrs. Loski, this, my friend, was a wrong interpretation. They accidentally held hands. But Juli took this as a "he likes me" gesture. For years Juli liked Bryce, for years Bryce tried to hide from Juli.
Until one day, in fifth grade Juli tried to hatch eggs, chicken eggs, for their school's science fair. As a result, she has her own pet chickens, who soon lay eggs. At first they tried to keep up with her hens by eating these eggs, but her mother couldn't take it anymore. So, Juli sold her eggs to their neighbors, but gave them to the Loski's for free. The Loski's fear that these eggs are contaminated with salmonella, Mr. Loski asked Bryce to tell Juli not to give them anymore eggs, but Bryce was a coward, instead he throws the eggs Juli gives, without either Juli or his father knowing.

Bryce should have told her straight, since in the end Juli caught him. After 2 years of giving them free eggs, Juli was angry at him for doing such horrible things. Bryce didn't know what to do, he was confused. Until he realized that he exchanged his old problems with Juli Baker with new problems with Juli Baker.

One of my favorite characters here is Chet, Bryce's grandfather. At first he seemed like a nobody, but in the end he was one of the people who actually made Juli know more about Bryce and vice versa. I learned so much from him especially when he said "One's character is set at an early age, the choices you make now will affect you the rest of your life...". And yes, in reality whatever you do today will affect your future. I usually rush my decisions but because of this quote I realized that I need to think about things slowly and carefully, this is my future.

I also liked Robert, Juli's father, the painter. He has a large view of things, I love what he said that "A painting is greater than the sum of its parts", meaning the sun looking at it is just some light, the tree is just some branch and the river is just water but together they are a miracle.

Matt and Mike, the Baker Brothers were actually deeper than what I actually thought of them. "It's a show me don't tell me thing", they say. They are both equally talented musicians, and I could sense that Lynetta, Bryce's sister, likes them. Although the Bakers are not exactly as rich as the Loski’s, the two strived and saved every single penny they own for their equipments, they saved up for their future. I also admire their cool attitudes, I mean they kept their cool even though Mr. Loski was already hot on them. They weren’t short-tempered, instead they calmly reasoned out with Mr. Loski.

The book showed how the two teenagers grew, how they matured. My favorite part would have to be the sycamore tree. The day they cut the tree down down, the tree whom Juli loves, is the start of change. Juli matured as much as Bryce did. Juli and Bryce realized that the outer appearance is not what really matters; it's the inside that really counts.
This novel made me laugh, growl with anger and almost cry at the same time. Teens of today would be able to relate and learn a thing or two from this book. This book will sure leave you flipping for more, I flipped for flipped.

HOW I FLIPPED (This is my thoughts about the book, How This book was able to change me and perspectives, There may be some spoilers once in a while)

LOVE

Just today at school, I heard about these so-called "LOVEBIRDS", don't get me wrong but I found some disgustingly gross. Sorry for the term, but while they all tease this couples, I felt my insides going topsy-turvy, my stomach went upside down, I felt like throwing up. Oh my gosh, I'm insane. No, I'm not saying anything bad, all I am saying is... I HAVE NO INTEREST IN HAVING A BOYFRIEND! No, not now, not anytime soon. Not with my schoolmates, batch mates and most specially, never with my classmates. Yeah, I'm weird. But that DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE NO INTEREST IN BOYS. I have, I do. Just not with my the people in my school. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not ready and I don't want to be. I just want to focus on my dreams, myself and my family. Rare, huh?

Ok, you wouldn't be able to understand why I felt sick unless I tell you this. But keep it to yourself, this will never come out! I'm saying is that some fellas are just too desperate. Yes, desperate. Call me mean but at least I'm honest. What I mean is, why can't they wait? Why do they settle for someone just because of peer pressure, rebellion and pride. Pride, what do I mean? I mean, come on, some of them have this "collect and select" mindset. It's dirty. Don't get me wrong, having 13 boyfriends at the age of 14 is like, oh my gosh. As for me, I would never settle for leftovers... I will wait; wait for the one that God will give me. I hope you get my point, I'm not trying to offend anyone, I just hate to see my friends get hurt in the process.

By the way, I'm single since birth, No kidding. Actually, nobody believes in that. Weird. The reason I have no boyfriends? It's because of this guy.

I'm like, madly, deeply in love with him. I wouldn't want anyone else but him, unless of course, someone looks and has the same spirit as him, which is rare.

In the book there is a quote saying, "Most people don't look beneath the surface before it's too late, get beyond his eyes and smile and the sheen of his hair and look at what he really is", call me a fan girl, (ok, I am one) but his surface is even more beautiful. Actually, can I ask something? Who thinks he is a she? *looks for people who raised their hands* Well, I'm not gonna say "WHAT???? HE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A GIRL!" Because he does, at first I really did thought prince charming is a lady. I mean, he is too beautiful too be a guy, It's insane. He wasn't really the one I like, the person I like is actually this guy.

Handsome, right? I'm not saying he is worthless (he is so totally worth it, girls would like.. oh my gosh..) What I mean is that, the other guy, I love his personality. He reminds me of me, ever since that time I heard him say "Everyday is Special", I never forgot him. He was a bit like me, I love his funny attitude, his leadership and speaking ability. I love him as a whole. I may not be in the right position to say this, but I know that he does have a kind heart, it's obvious. How he cares about people, I love him for that............... ......I am INSANE. LOL.

FAMILY

"WHERE WOULD I HAVE BEEN IF THINGS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT?"

Bryce didn't know about his condition when he was a baby until 14 years later. I knew about mine. Bryce almost became a retard, I almost became dust. Yes, I was born as a pre mature baby. Now that I think about it, it gives me chills. But instead of getting angry (I have no reason to do that), I feel thankful. Thankful to God and my parents, I feel glad and alive. Now I have more reason to live life to the fullest. I still have a long way to go.

Although sometime I do feel sorry for my parents, I do feel like a burden. But I try to shake this feelings off. Instead, I work hard, study hard, train hard everyday. I feel so lucky to have my parents, as Juli says "I'm lucky they were mine".

ME, MYSELF and I

"I've always been the kind of girl
That hid my face
So afraid to tell the world
What I've got to say
But I have this dream
Right inside of me
I'm gonna let it show, it's time
To let you know
To let you know

This is real, this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, now
Gonna let the light, shine on me
Now I've found, who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me"

I FOUND ME.