Flip-Flop Girl

by Katherine Paterson

Nine-year-old Vinnie feels out of place when she, her mother, and her brother move in with Grandma after Daddy dies, until she meets a flip-flop-wearing girl named Lupe--an outsider like herself. By the author of Lyddie.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, School, Friendship

120 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

Katherine Womeldorf Paterson is an American writer best known for children's novels, including Bridge to Terabithia. For four different books published 1975–1980, she won two Newbery Medals and two National Book Awards. She is one of four people to win the two major international awards; for "lasting contribution to children's literature" she won the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 1998 and for her career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" she won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2006, the biggest monetary prize in children's literature. Also for her body of work she was awarded the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature in 2007 and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association in 2013. She was the second US National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, serving 2010 and 2011.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paterson is indeed brilliant. She gets that kids aren't always angelic, and that parents aren't perfect either, even when a family isn't dysfunctional. Mistakes are made. Naughty impulses are acted upon. Mistakes are made. And yet, somehow, by the end, there's real hope for healing.

Still, it's such a struggle to get there, and there is some weak characterization sometimes, and the unreliable narrator drove me nuts (is Grandma that difficult, or is Vinnie whiny, for example)... well, I just did not enjoy reading this, or feel enlightened, as I have done with other books by the author.

I am not surprised to see that the reviews are polarized. If a reader knows someone like Vinnie, or feels empathy for her, s/he'll probably like this a lot. Others will not like or respect the characters, and not like the book.

I recommend it for Paterson completists, maybe others who feel like most tween fiction is unrealistic.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Vinnie (Lavinia) lost her father to cancer, her younger brother, Mason stopped speaking. Now Vinnie and Mason have left Washington, D.C. and, along with their mother, they have moved in with their grandmother in Brownsville, Virginia, where they are starting a new school. Though she really likes her new teacher, Vinnie struggles to fit in among her new classmates, and she finds that only Lupe, whom she nicknames the Flip-Flop Girl based on her footwear, pays any attention to her at all. As the school year gets underway, Vinnie struggles to help her brother's teachers handle his behavior, to make her teacher notice her and understand her crush on him, and to see herself as the kind of person who might be friends with an unusual girl like Lupe.

I would describe this short, descriptive novel as a cross between The Hundred Dresses and The Summer of the Swans. It shares themes in common with both of these books, and it delivers a story that addresses them succinctly, clearly, and with beautiful prose. While this book isn't as deep or layered as something like Lyddie or Bridge to Terabithia, it does reflect upon issues of grief and loss in ways that are very palatable and accessible for kids. This book isn't heart-wrenching, as the death itself has already taken place when the book begins, but instead it focuses on moving forward after the initial shock of loss has worn off, and it gives the reader a sense of hope that things will improve as time goes on.

When I mentioned to my husband that I rated Flip-Flop Girl four stars on Goodreads, he remarked that he couldn't imagine Paterson writing a book that wouldn't get four or five stars, and I tend to agree with that statement. Paterson's writing is consistently of very high quality, and she tells stories that are real, believable, and relevant. Having read her astute observations about writing children's books in Gates of Excellence and The Spying Heart, I am pleased that her fiction, so far, very much lives up to my high expectations.

This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book for kids is about siblings who recently lost their father. Little Mason refuses to talk and older Vinnie is supposed to "help" her mother as they move into Grandmom's house, start at a new school and meet new friends. I can't really say what the point of this books is. That the kids were disturbed? That no one ever seemed to talk to Vinnie? That Grandmom and mom were both bullies and only seemed to care for Mason's problems? That the only adult nice to Vinnie ended up being the target of her vandalism? From an adult's perspective I know what the author wants to do with this, but frankly I can't see reading this book with fourth or fifth graders because I just don't think they'd get it. I think that Vinnie's responses to her life would make sense and the ending is too abrupt and doesn't actually resolve any of the problems. The only redeeming part of the book is that Vinnie learns that there are people who are kind no matter what and sometimes friends are found in the most surprising places.

[Hope Alden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn’t particularly exceptional but for whatever reason I feel compelled to rate it 4 stars instead of 3. The story could’ve definitely benefited from a bit more explanation and details but I really liked the characters. I feel Paterson truly understands the minds of children and it’s apparent in her characters.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I read this in like fifth grade. Maybe not. But it seemed familiar. Anyway, it was decent. Nothing exceptional, but nothing horrible. I kind of wish it had been a little longer.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as re-readable as my favorites of Paterson's, but still full of the same truth and hope without sugar-coating.

[Sophia Barsuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was eleven. I loved Vinnie's sassiness; I was intrigued by Lupe. Fifteen years later, I don't think this book holds up. I didn't realize how whiny Vinnie was, or how much harder she made life for the people around her. The one thing I didn't outgrow was my intrigue for Lupe. It's frustrating to have the best character in the entire book get completely shafted by a very rushed ending that doesn't really resolve anything. Lupe deserved better than Vinnie.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with important themes: loss of a parent, struggles with a sibling, and being a lonely “new kid” at a school where everyone knows each other already.

I definitely read this when I was young. I wonder what I thought of it then. As an adult, I found it at times moving, at times relatable, and at other times I wondered if the older children were really acting like 9 year olds, or if they were acting older than their age. Probably Katherine Paterson got the age behavior correct, as she raised four children (two girls and two boys) plus taught school for a year. I often didn’t fit in with my peers, so I wouldn’t necessarily know what other kids were thinking and feeling.

I think “Lupe” was a super interesting character about whom I wish we knew more. Is she taller because she’s actually older than the other kids? (Was she originally educated in another country and is repeating grades in English?) She certainly acts more mature. Lavinia was lucky to have such a thoughtful person in her class, because Vinny certainly didn’t do anything to earn Lupe’s kindness.

It’s also interesting to see how teaching and school standards change. Nowadays a kid who vandalized a teacher’s car would be sent to juvenile prison, particularly if she was black. The teachers would be so busy teaching to standardized tests that they wouldn’t have time to enjoy and adapt the day’s lesson to a spectacular pumpkin brought in by a student. And teachers are paid so poorly that they wouldn’t be able to afford a nice car or give needed items to students.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story about a family who moves to a new town after the death of the father. The girl (Vinnie) and boy (Mason) both deal with the loss of their dad in different ways. Mason refuses the talk, and Vinnie takes her anger out on her brother.

For Vinnie, it's not only losing her dad, but also her best friend. A move means a new school. And that's where she comes across the Flip-Flop Girl, who is dealing with her own loss. But she's a little... weird. Definitely different from the other kids in Vinnie's class.

I liked how Paterson connects the threads of Vinnie and Mason's story with the Luce's story, especially through Mason, the brother.

While this book is not as powerful as Paterson's masterpiece Bridge to Terabithia, it's still a good read. Vinnie's reactions and thought-process is very interesting.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside look at the distorted thinking of the mind of a child. How much simpler life would be if these erroneous thoughts could be openly shared and worked through with a trusted individual. Much pain would be spared those who carry such burdens and those who reap the consequences of the actions carried out by the misconstrued reality of those thoughts. It was bothersome to me that Vinnie was so mean, verbally, to her brother, and never apologized to him. It affected him deeply.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel tells the story of nine year old Vinnie and her five year brother Mason, and how they deal with the death of their father to cancer. Vinnie is filled with hate, anger and grief, and Mason has chosen elective mutism. It isn't until they both encounter Vinnie's classmate Lupe, that they are able to face their individual grief, and overcome their deep seated issues.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Age: 11+
Content Considerations: Way too many morbid thoughts concerning cancer and the father's recent death. Disrespect toward authority and in sibling relationships.

This is not Mrs. Paterson's best work. Thus far, I believe it is my least favorite of her stories. I do not hate it, but I have no desire to read it again and wouldn't highly recommend it.

[Reagan Church]

The protagonist of the book is a nine-year-old girl named Lavina (often known as Vinnie), whose life has been upheaval since the passing of her father. After their father's funeral, Vinnie and her five-year-old brother Mason, who has become mute, are transferred to live with their grandmother in a small town in rural Virginia.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, not as much as Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine, but it was good. She writes in a real way with real thoughts. Ya, it's not all happy, so I can see not everyone enjoying it. But it's nice to read a book that isn't so far-fetched.
Thanks to my friend, Trish, for recommending this author.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me a lot of, “Daphnes Book,” by Mary Downing Hawn.
Vinnie goes through hard times after her father dies and her brother refuses to speak. She moves out of her town to live in Brownsville with her grandmother.
No more to say or I will spoil it. But I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book is a bit older but it’s still on point. Katherine Patterson always hits the mark. Grief affects everyone differently, especially those who already have issues dealing with day to day. We never know what everyone else is dealing with in their lives. Be kind.

[Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNFed halfway through. The girl having a crush on her teacher is a large part of the story, and being a teacher myself, that was just really uncomfortable. It still handles the themes of grief and isolation in a compelling way.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that I liked Bridge to Terabithia much better, but this was an okay story.

[KarlaLou · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 10 year old daughter picked this book out for me because we wear flip flops quite a bit.

[Jeannie Comiskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing will top Bridge to Terabithia by the same author, and this book was nowhere close. A bit disappointing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful message. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Sue J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katherine Paterson has done it again. Written a poignant and believable story of the trials of youth.

[Selena]

Completely forgot I read this until the name "Lupe Mahoney" randomly popped into my head to day. No idea why.

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw moments that masterfully capture the pain we navigate on the journey through childhood. Just beautifully done.

[Vendea]

A little odd and a little sad in the way I feel like all Paterson's books are... I don't think this is one of the stronger ones, but it is fairly short.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes: loss, friendship, poverty

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

an outstanding story. So Sweei.

[Hailey Hudson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t really into this one

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about how children suffer loss and how they cope. Each in their own way, but all need help understanding their emotions. Just because a child appears to be doing okay, don’t ignore them, they still have problems! Lupe was a great help! And in most cases very mature for her age.

[the_storied_life (Joyce Santiago) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️