BDCHS Advanced Reading discussion

Before her sophomore year, Hailey Harper and her family are moving to Hollywood, California, due to her father’s job. At her old high school, she’s always been “invisible”. While packing, she goes through her older sister, Noel’s belongings. Finding her old clothes and a diary she wrote when she was back in high school, “How To Be A Hater”. This diary is full of do’s and dont’s and self-empowerment advice, which she will live by for her sophomore year, to achieve popularity. On the first day of her new high school, she is already accepted with the most popular girls, Skylar and the others. Who are your stereotypical mean girls. Skylar sets the ground rules to Hailey, who is intimidated. During her first week of school, she befriends Anya. Later Hailey finds out that Anya used to hang out with Skylar and the others, until an unfortunate accident comes along Anya’s freshmen year, which forces her to drop out. Hailey leaves Skylar’s clique who is furious, creating their own group, The Invisibles. The Invisibles live by Noel’s diary, following most of the tips. Meanwhile, Hailey dates the super cute guy, who also went out with Skylar, but broke up during freshmen year. Throughout the whole book, Skylar’s group and The Invisibles prank each other, leaving someone in trouble at the very end. The theme of the book was, the lust for power (in this case popularity) is not as satisfying as you think it is.

Overall, I would give the book a 4 out of 5 stars. In general I could relate to Hailey, feeling invisible. But at the same time I felt like I couldn't relate, because she was much older. I felt like the plot was well thought out, but could be written by a fifteen year old. The ending felt a bit rushed, leaving some things that I felt was important to be included in the end. I enjoyed the story, leaving me with laughter and an insight for my next few years of high school