Flip Flop

Chickie put her arms out and sashayed around the room, hips in full sway. We’re going to be stars… we’re going to be stars with gorgeous new rooms.” “Jesus help!” Briana took another drink of water. “What’s the chance that I can ever crawl back into my cave and keep a lid on my Pandora’s box now?”

Book Flip Flop by Wendy Lawton, Moody Publishers, 2004

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-19

Subjects: Alcoholism, Friendship

Summary: Briana has a very big secret. Chickie thinks she knows everything about Briana, but she has no idea what Briana’s home life is like. So when Chickie submits their names to be on the reality tv show, Flip Flop, all Briana can think is how dangerous this could be for her secrets. What will Chickie think if she finds out that Bree’s dad is an alcoholic? If her dad is home while they record, he’s sure to find a need for a drink and come home raving and yelling. Her miserable life will be displayed for all to see. All Briana can do is pray that God doesn’t let them get chosen!

Notes: This is a story about a seventeen year old girl who struggles with having an alcoholic father and a mother who does her best to deny how serious the problem really is. Her mom is a very private person and has taught Briana to not share their family business with anyone – ever. So Briana’s closest friend has no idea what is going on in her life, in fact no one does – until one of the designers on Flip Flop who has struggled with the same things in her life, recognizes the signs and convinces Briana to open up to her. An interesting theme running through the book is the serenity prayer – God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. She clings to this as a lifeline and prays it often. The designer who reached out to Bree challenges her to draw even closer to God, as does the older brother of her best friend.

Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 86:16 – Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.