Book Synopsis: It's not easy being mean

Title: It's Not Easy Being Mean

Author: Lisi Harrison

Publication Date: March 7, 2007

Page Count: 224

Started: 9/10/07

Finished: 9/25/07

Grade: A



1. Why did I decide to read this book?
- I decided to read this book for many reasons. The main reason is that I already read the series up to this book and I wanted to finish it. The book before left you hanging really bad and it made me want to get this book to find out what happened. All the books before have been really good so far and I wanted to see if this one would be as good. The books in this series are about things I can really relate to and I wanted to read more.

2. Plot Summary.
- The plot starts out with the four main characters going back to OCD( Octavian Country Day School), after being expelled for three weeks.These girls are considered the most popular girls in the seventh grade and they call themselves the "Pretty Committee." After all the new drama of them returning to OCD settles, they are overcame with a new mission. They have to find the key that unlocks the secret room, that when obtained means you will be the most popular " Clique" in the eighth grade. This years eighth grade alpha decides to make finding the key tricky this year since it is the fifth year anniversary of handing the key down. Normally they just hand the key down to the seventh grade alpha, which in this case would be the Pretty Committee. It ends up that Layne finds the key, but compromises and ends up giving it to the Pretty Committee. On top of all this, their is boy drama, drama within the clique, and the thought of a Pretty Committee member moving to L.A. to star in a new movie.

3. What is the setting and why is it important to the novel?

- The setting takes place in the city of Worechester New York. It takes place all around the city around their school, massie's house and guesthouse, the soccer field, and Skye's house. Their is about three weeks of school left. This is significant because they need to get the key before they are in eighth grade because having the key means your the eight grade alpha. Finding the key wouldn't be as important as if it was later int he year. It wouldn't be as important if they were in a different school. If it was any other place or time they wouldn't have to worry about finding the key at all.

4. Who are the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

• Massie- She is the seventh grade alpha. She is very rich and head of the Pretty Committee.
• Alicia- She is Massie's best friend. She is boy crazy and is pretty second in command of the "P.C."
• Kiristen- The athletic and less likely to get into trouble "P.C." member because she is at O.C.D on a scholarship.
• Dylan- She is a "P.C." member that is always stressed about her weight.
• Claire- She is the newest "P.C." member she was at once left out. She is friends with Layne and she is the only one with a boyfriend, and she is wanted to star in a movie which makes Massie really jealous.
• Skye- She is the eighth grade alpha. She is the holder of the key.
• Layne- First to find the key with Claire so they could compromise with Massie. Massie considered her a Loser Beyond Repair (L.B.R)

5. What was the main conflict?

- The main conflict was finding the key. While trying to find the key other problems come about. Massie lied to Skye and now has to fix her first lie with other lies. Claire ditched the Pretty Committee for a luncheon with her manager. So, they throw her out of the "P.C." They now have to comprimise with Layne and Claire. On top of all this there is tons of girl drama that takes place.

6. What is the Climax?

- The climax of this story is defiantly when Layne and Claire finds the key right after Massie kicks Massie out of the "P.C." Massie is now really mad because if she wouldn't have thrown Claire out of the group then they would have the key. Claire will only give the key to Massie on a few conditions. Now Massie is really stressing because being alpha means everything to her. Layne is willing to give the key back on a few minor conditions and Claire really just wants back in the "P.C." and a few other conditions. They end up compromising so everyone gets their way.

7. Whats the significance of the title and is it appropriate?

- The title is very appropriate in this case. These girls are very mean and they think it is very hard to to be mean and stay the alphas. They think it is a very hard task. I would not change the title. It suits the book very well. The title fits very well with all the other books in the series. I think the title is very good and appropriate for this book.

8. Opinion.

- I really like this book. It was very Interesting book. It really fits with the other books in the series really well. I didn't want to stop reading it. When I finished reading I didn't want to stop and I wanted the next book to read right then. This book really relates to me and it was fun reading it.