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Girl Talk #1
Welcome to Junior High!
It's the beginning of an unforgettable year. . .
Seventh grade has just started and Sabrina Wells has got troubles! She's made an enemy of the principal's daughter, Stacy the Great, met the boy of her dreams, and been put in charge of the Homecoming Dance decorating committee.
Will Sabrina manage to keep Stacy off her back, fall in love, and get shy Allison, preppie Katie, and Randy, the hip new girl from New York, to agree on a theme for the dance?
Seventh grade has just started and Sabrina Wells has got troubles! She's made an enemy of the principal's daughter, Stacy the Great, met the boy of her dreams, and been put in charge of the Homecoming Dance decorating committee.
Will Sabrina manage to keep Stacy off her back, fall in love, and get shy Allison, preppie Katie, and Randy, the hip new girl from New York, to agree on a theme for the dance?
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1990
21 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 2, 2013
When I was nine, a friend of my mom's gave us a big 'ol pile of these books. I don't think it was all of them, but it was most; and we still have some. I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out the name of this series. All I clearly recalled was that one of the girls was Native American and became a model during the series, and that there was a kid named Arizzonia or something simliar. Well, while cleaning the house for a party, I found a box of books with some of these in it! Yay!
I read them all countless times. I remember laying in my bed all day when I was twelve, and reading them one after the other. What you would expect from these books is typical: school problems, family problems, love problems, friend and peer problems, all from the point of view from a group of young (stereotypical, but that's ok) girls. From what I recall, they all end on happy notes and are filled with life lessons. They're not brilliant stories, but they're fun, easy to digest, entertaining, and perfect for the age bracket they are aimed at
I read them all countless times. I remember laying in my bed all day when I was twelve, and reading them one after the other. What you would expect from these books is typical: school problems, family problems, love problems, friend and peer problems, all from the point of view from a group of young (stereotypical, but that's ok) girls. From what I recall, they all end on happy notes and are filled with life lessons. They're not brilliant stories, but they're fun, easy to digest, entertaining, and perfect for the age bracket they are aimed at
March 5, 2023
My childhood in the 90s can be defined by many long-running children's and 90s YA book series that I ate up like candy back then, and Girl Talk is one of the series I remember having a few books for. It's been ages since I read any of them and the copies I used to own have all long since vanished off to stars-only-know-where.
But this year for a new reading goal, I decided to try to find and purchase copies of a couple of different 90s YA series and read them again (or for the first time!) and give some thoughts on them. Girl Talk was the one I've most wanted to pick up. And it's therefore probably not a surprise I decided to start the year with it.
Most of the 90s YA book series that I remember being like this would probably be reclassified as middle grade based on modern/current decision clarification. And I think that's largely the case with this; the characters are starting seventh grade (junior high here) and despite the heavy focus throughout this book on crushes and who's taking who to homecoming, a lot of the way this book is written does seem to fit the middle grade demographic. There is, however, enough maturity to the characters that it can still hold up as a light-hearted YA read (albeit the younger end of the scale. Perhaps it's better to say this could still bridge the gap between middle grade and YA, as the writing style is very middle grade but a lot of the emotions and events feel closer to YA.)
All things said, this was a fun way to reintroduce myself to Sabrina, Katie, Allison and Randy. The girls all remain fairly unique and fun even today, and seeing them come together in this book was a nice little change of pace between all the heavier stuff I've been reading. I'm excited to continue with the series~.
But this year for a new reading goal, I decided to try to find and purchase copies of a couple of different 90s YA series and read them again (or for the first time!) and give some thoughts on them. Girl Talk was the one I've most wanted to pick up. And it's therefore probably not a surprise I decided to start the year with it.
Most of the 90s YA book series that I remember being like this would probably be reclassified as middle grade based on modern/current decision clarification. And I think that's largely the case with this; the characters are starting seventh grade (junior high here) and despite the heavy focus throughout this book on crushes and who's taking who to homecoming, a lot of the way this book is written does seem to fit the middle grade demographic. There is, however, enough maturity to the characters that it can still hold up as a light-hearted YA read (albeit the younger end of the scale. Perhaps it's better to say this could still bridge the gap between middle grade and YA, as the writing style is very middle grade but a lot of the emotions and events feel closer to YA.)
All things said, this was a fun way to reintroduce myself to Sabrina, Katie, Allison and Randy. The girls all remain fairly unique and fun even today, and seeing them come together in this book was a nice little change of pace between all the heavier stuff I've been reading. I'm excited to continue with the series~.
September 26, 2016
I had forgotten about this book until I read a blog about kid's books that mentioned it. I went to Goodwill that same day, and there it was on the shelf. I had to buy it, and I loved rereading this blast from my past.
November 7, 2014
Serial Girl Talk ini jadi favorit gue waktu SD-SMP dulu. Ceritanya abg banget, tapi waktu itu kan gue emang masih abg. Hehehe.. Sampai sekarang masih lengkap nih dari buku 1 sampai buku 27. :D
February 10, 2023
I read this book for the first time when I was 10 and just going into 6th grade. I loved the book then and just reread it for the first time in 22 years. I have to say I still loved it just as much. It was my favorite book as a kid and I read it several times until one day, it went missing. I never figured out where it went but I never forgot it and when I found it on amazon, I knew I had to buy it and read it again. This was one of the first books I read that made me say, I think I love reading. The books that I read before was more of a forced chore that I wasn't a huge fan of, but this book and a couple others made me change my way of thinking. It started me on a reading journey that has turned me into an avid reader and a huge lover of books. I am so glad I read this book and highly recommend.
December 10, 2018
I was introduced to this series back in fifth grade when I used to exchange books with my best friend. I ended up with #3 in the series and never got to read any of the others until I started tracking them down as an adult to read and recap. This one starts us out nicely, introducing us to the characters and their entry to junior high. It's a fun read, maybe a bit too cutesy in spots, but nothing egregious. Fully recommend!
Read my full recap at ogwnostalgia.wordpress.com/girl-talk-1
Read my full recap at ogwnostalgia.wordpress.com/girl-talk-1
May 8, 2011
These books were my Babysitter's Club - they defined my early childhood. My mother bought the entire set for me at one go and I devoured them before I even got to junior high myself. They are full of ridiculous stereotypes of teenagers, but I loved them all the same.
May 23, 2011
I remember my sister took me to a book exchange store where you could donate books and get "store credit" per say and get more books. I remember finding these and loving them. I was about 6th grade probably. I loved them though. Fun reads. :)
October 26, 2020
It's a pity the marketing is so skewed toward boys: girls might get something out of this too.
January 30, 2022
let someone wipe my mind
this book traumatized me
😭😭😭
this book traumatized me
😭😭😭
August 21, 2023
Sometimes, as a way to broaden my reading, I pick random Goodreads lists and read my way through them. This was on one such list.
At least it was short.
In fairness, I am at least thirty years too old to be the target audience for this book, but even twelve year old me would have side-eyed the boy-crazy airhead who is the main character here. I went to an all-girls school, and no one was this vapid. Maybe girls like this do exist, but I've never met one in real life.
I'm trying to block out the fact that this is the first in a forty five book series, and that I always try to finish series that I start, but it's not working. I need a drink.
At least it was short.
In fairness, I am at least thirty years too old to be the target audience for this book, but even twelve year old me would have side-eyed the boy-crazy airhead who is the main character here. I went to an all-girls school, and no one was this vapid. Maybe girls like this do exist, but I've never met one in real life.
I'm trying to block out the fact that this is the first in a forty five book series, and that I always try to finish series that I start, but it's not working. I need a drink.
June 9, 2021
Sabrina was supposed to organise decorations for the junior high dance but she left it til the literal last minute, I thought I was going to throw UP. I don’t need to give my brain new ideas for stress dreams, thanks.
December 4, 2020
Holy cats are these girls starting on the BOY! drama early. I wish their parents luck 🙄
March 6, 2021
Describes my 7th grade experience perfectly.
January 2, 2023
I read this as a kid and now as an adult it is still a cute book, although a little diet obsessed.
Read
May 30, 2025aku pikir masa SMP bakal plek ketiplek begini :( 3
January 17, 2023
Welcome To Junior High
Sabrina is starting junior high and meets picture-perfect Katie, shy girl Allison, and tough chic chick, Randy. They bond and become friends over boys, a mutually hated rich bitch clique, and a homecoming dance.
My Thoughts
*Firstly I sympathize with Sabrina. And I'll tell you why. Now even though these are junior high books and these girls are 12 years old I think anyone can understand what it's like to fall for someone and they don't even know it. Or maybe they do know it and they still end up with someone else that's not even worth it. It's GUT-WRETCHING! And then I think also anyone can understand what it's like (as a female) to see the man (boy) that makes your heart stop and then just don't have the courage. And so you rely on your friend (as juvenile as it is) to kind of find out what they think. Oh yes! I HAVE BEEN THERE! So I KNOW what it's like.
*Then she gets dumped the night of the dance! That was so petty of Nick. I mean well he's in the seventh grade, but still. Sabrina isn't even his girlfriend yet and I hate to think what kind of guy he's going to grow up to be in high school AND as an adult if he's already this possessive. But then we all can be a little petty when we're angry. So I'll cut Nick a little slack.
* And speaking of homecoming dances since when does the school pick out certain people to be over it? Isn't that what committees are for? And those are usually voluntary.
*I liked Randy as a character and how she totally shuts down Stacey's ish every chance she gets! I think I liked Randy the best of all the Girl Talk clique.
*After the ish Nick pulled I really wanted to see Sabrina with Spike. I thought what he did was very romantic! But we'll see. Do I see a love triangle in future books? As this is the only one I read from my nostalgia days I guess I'll have to keep reading now that I found a few more of them online.
*Also I felt for Sabrina. Having a friend like your brother is AWKWARD! I also have had this happen. Just glad nothing came of it.
RATING: I give it a 7 on second read. I could relate it to a little more this time around which upped it a star. Previously I had it as 6. But it did put me in the mind of junior high (regrettably) and what it was like to crush hard on someone and they were with someone else.
A lot of Junior High ish things going on in this book, as it’s appropriately named. I can’t believe I found a review of it online, which is lucky because I had to refresh my memory on it. Four junior high girls (Sabrina, Katie, Allison, and Randi) have to help come up with a theme for the Homecoming Dance. Since when? Don’t you usually get the choice of volunteering to do this in school? Isn’t that was committees are for? Then there’s this girl named Stacey, who thinks she’s so HOT, and wants and claims all the guys for herself at the school. Witch! Seriously first Alec, a eighth grader that Sabrina happens to like. Then she tells her to say away from her ex-boyfriend Nick. Randi is a totally cool character, that’s from New York and doesn’t take Stacey’s ish… Not only does she check Stacey on several occasions, she comes up with an theme for the dance, (Space), AND she finds Sabrina a date when Nick dumps her at the last minute. It’s like wow, to just be starting off in junior high Sabrina sure does get off to on a good start, doesn’t she?
I don’t know though about having a friend, date my brother. I remember a girlfriend of mine once liked my brother and I’m thinking one word awkwardly. In a way, this book was better than the BSC.. Same really colorful descriptions of their clothes. If you’re into that sorta thing. It really did talk about more junior high issues, but other than this book surprisingly this was the only one I read in the Girl Talk Series. Also, read there was a TV show. Don’t remember it. I’d probably rate this book six stars. Then it might sound weird and all but I liked the telephone conversation. I’ve used that technique myself as a writer. Enjoyable.
Sabrina is starting junior high and meets picture-perfect Katie, shy girl Allison, and tough chic chick, Randy. They bond and become friends over boys, a mutually hated rich bitch clique, and a homecoming dance.
My Thoughts
*Firstly I sympathize with Sabrina. And I'll tell you why. Now even though these are junior high books and these girls are 12 years old I think anyone can understand what it's like to fall for someone and they don't even know it. Or maybe they do know it and they still end up with someone else that's not even worth it. It's GUT-WRETCHING! And then I think also anyone can understand what it's like (as a female) to see the man (boy) that makes your heart stop and then just don't have the courage. And so you rely on your friend (as juvenile as it is) to kind of find out what they think. Oh yes! I HAVE BEEN THERE! So I KNOW what it's like.
*Then she gets dumped the night of the dance! That was so petty of Nick. I mean well he's in the seventh grade, but still. Sabrina isn't even his girlfriend yet and I hate to think what kind of guy he's going to grow up to be in high school AND as an adult if he's already this possessive. But then we all can be a little petty when we're angry. So I'll cut Nick a little slack.
* And speaking of homecoming dances since when does the school pick out certain people to be over it? Isn't that what committees are for? And those are usually voluntary.
*I liked Randy as a character and how she totally shuts down Stacey's ish every chance she gets! I think I liked Randy the best of all the Girl Talk clique.
*After the ish Nick pulled I really wanted to see Sabrina with Spike. I thought what he did was very romantic! But we'll see. Do I see a love triangle in future books? As this is the only one I read from my nostalgia days I guess I'll have to keep reading now that I found a few more of them online.
*Also I felt for Sabrina. Having a friend like your brother is AWKWARD! I also have had this happen. Just glad nothing came of it.
RATING: I give it a 7 on second read. I could relate it to a little more this time around which upped it a star. Previously I had it as 6. But it did put me in the mind of junior high (regrettably) and what it was like to crush hard on someone and they were with someone else.
A lot of Junior High ish things going on in this book, as it’s appropriately named. I can’t believe I found a review of it online, which is lucky because I had to refresh my memory on it. Four junior high girls (Sabrina, Katie, Allison, and Randi) have to help come up with a theme for the Homecoming Dance. Since when? Don’t you usually get the choice of volunteering to do this in school? Isn’t that was committees are for? Then there’s this girl named Stacey, who thinks she’s so HOT, and wants and claims all the guys for herself at the school. Witch! Seriously first Alec, a eighth grader that Sabrina happens to like. Then she tells her to say away from her ex-boyfriend Nick. Randi is a totally cool character, that’s from New York and doesn’t take Stacey’s ish… Not only does she check Stacey on several occasions, she comes up with an theme for the dance, (Space), AND she finds Sabrina a date when Nick dumps her at the last minute. It’s like wow, to just be starting off in junior high Sabrina sure does get off to on a good start, doesn’t she?
I don’t know though about having a friend, date my brother. I remember a girlfriend of mine once liked my brother and I’m thinking one word awkwardly. In a way, this book was better than the BSC.. Same really colorful descriptions of their clothes. If you’re into that sorta thing. It really did talk about more junior high issues, but other than this book surprisingly this was the only one I read in the Girl Talk Series. Also, read there was a TV show. Don’t remember it. I’d probably rate this book six stars. Then it might sound weird and all but I liked the telephone conversation. I’ve used that technique myself as a writer. Enjoyable.
September 30, 2019
Mentioned Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, GNR's Welcome to the Jungle and Madonna's "Crazy for You."
June 27, 2013
Wow, I don't remember junior high being that complicated! Then again I was shy and quiet like Allison Cloud. I also see a lot of Sabrina Wells in me.
Welcome to Junior High is a cute story about the complexity of relationships in seventh grade. Tween girls will probably like this book. It made me feel young again.
Welcome to Junior High is a cute story about the complexity of relationships in seventh grade. Tween girls will probably like this book. It made me feel young again.
May 26, 2013
pertama baca ini ceritanya pas dulu abegeh, jadi seneng banget. Kalo sekarang baca lagi, tetep menghibur sih, sambil cekikikan bayangin waktu dulu baca ini yang ampe girang gimana gitu. Dasar abegeh! XD
May 14, 2023
To me, the 90s were the golden age of middle grade chick lit series- BSC, Sweet Valley, and this little series topped the list for me in late elementary school. I am excited to revisit all of these at some point.
November 24, 2008
a fun light reading.
August 8, 2009
Read during the tween years until around #20-ish. Sometimes I found this series more interesting than Sweet Valley High.
October 23, 2010
jaman2 smp dulu, ini adalah salah satu judul buku yg selalu d tunggu2 terjemahan barunya ^^
sayang, krn satu dan lain hal, semua koleksi buku ini menghilang tak berbekas, hiks..hiks T_T
sayang, krn satu dan lain hal, semua koleksi buku ini menghilang tak berbekas, hiks..hiks T_T
September 16, 2011
ahh love this book!!dont ask why :D
Read
January 12, 2012I read this in elementary school in like the 3rd or 4th grade.
March 4, 2012
I remember this series. I used to love it when I was in elementary school. I think I read most, if not all of, the series. Allison was my favorite. I don't remember why though.
May 11, 2012
Omg loved this series in my pre teens and you were only able to get them through mail order you couldn't get them in book stores!!! Great memories reading this series!!!
July 23, 2012
My absolute favorite series as a young girl growing up!!!
July 25, 2012
This was another series that I was stuck on in my earlier teen days. Gosh I miss some of these books when I see the covers. I just want to dig them out and re-read a bunch of them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews