Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is leaving Constance Billard to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids don't let the rules get in the way of an excellent time.
Determined to leave her Manhattan past behind her, Jenny sets off to Waverly with big plans of reinventing herself. She'll be a goddess--she's a sophisticated city girl, after all!--and will find a boy who can properly worship her. But that's going to be a little tricky since her self-absorbed new roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt, aren't exactly there to help--unless there's something in it for them.
Hot guys, new intrigue, and more delicious gossip all add up to more trouble than ever for Jenny. But if getting caught with boys and going up against the Disciplinary Committee is what it takes, Jenny's ready. She'll do all that and more to be The It Girl.
Cecily von Ziegesar is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl novels, upon which the hit television show is based.
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.
I've been stuck at my parents house for a while now and been randomly picking up books from the teenage Tijana's shelf. And I'm not even ashamed to say how glad I am for picking this one up! It was unexpectedly good, indescribably better than Gossip Girl. I was instantly hooked and it left me craving for more.
Okay, so I have to admit it. Every time I went into the library, there was always the long row of Gossip Girl books that took up two shelves, and I'd always scoff at them as I went by. I don't watch any of the shows created by this author, and while everyone else is talking about the latest 90210 I'm spacing out about painting my nails or something else I deem more worthy for attention.
However, when I noticed that this other series, a knockoff of Gossip Girl, sitting right next to the Gossip Girl books, I can't help but pick up the first one, and decide to get it.
This book surprised me, because while I'm not that into fashion and shallowness, I liked this book quite a bit. Some of the characters I thought were named ridiculously (cause face it, who names their kid Easy, or Tinsley?) but despite the minor unrealisticness of a few situations, the book caught my attention. Yeah, the characters were a teensy bit shallow, and brand names were thrown around like Halloween candy, but I've already read other books far worse in that department, so this didn't seem too bad. The It Girl managed to be funny and exciting without coming off too idiotic and girly, as most TA books do. The character types were a bit stereotypical and what you'd find in most books (i.e. the bad boy, the nice guy, the shallow diva, the new, sweet girl, etc.) but it was still fun to read. While I may now be sucked into finishing these books (and possibly back-tracking to Gossip Girl) I can still say that this type of book will never be my ultimate favorite and one that I adore.
The first type of book I read that was like this was Poseur, and I honestly did not like the series, so I assumed this series would be close to the same. Thankfully it wasn't, revising my view of these type of mindless books that are still fun to read. Coming back for more of Jenny later!
I've never read the gossip girl series, though I've seen the show, so I had a basic understanding of who Jenny was and what happened to her while she was still living in the city (the books are probably different). She goes to Waverly in hopes of a fresh start. A new place, where she can just try to be the best she is. And she really does try. That's where my problems start with her. At least in the show, Jenny was a mean girl. She had a backbone and would stick up for herself constantly. Now in this book, she keeps referring to old Jenny as someone who was shy but also outspoken? It gets confusing at times. She wants to blend in here but also wants to please the popular girls and completely goes along with that cheer prank. It just doesn't add up. She needs to pick her role and stick with it, shy or outspoken? Tinsely was referred to so much with such little detail that I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen when both her and Jenny clash, as that's alluded to in the final text messages. I really wanted Callie to get kicked out. She definitely seems the least trustworthy of the bunch, Brett just keeps to herself but doesn't seem to be intentionally mean. I'm assuing Callie and Brandon will rekindle next, while Jenny and Easy explore their feelings for each other. Overall, it was okay for a quick and thoughtless read.
Have you ever encountered a book that makes you want to flip page after page nonstop just to see what happens next? Well, The It Girl written by Cecily Von Ziegesar has written an interesting story filled with juicy gossip, great tone, and an amazing passion between the characters. Writing from her own experience, Von Ziegesar makes this book believable and entertaining at the same time. Published in November 2005, The It Girl is part of a bestseller that young adults will most likely love to read.
Jenny, the main character, is starting a new reputation at Waverly High and she wants to change herself to impress others. Before she even attended the first day of school, crazy rumors have been going around the school campus about Jenny Humphrey. However, Jenny had no idea of what the rumors were or even that rumors were going on about her. Jenny’s mind is set on her new reputation and how she is going to build it. She entered the school right when Tinsley, the girl who everyone loved and was the most popular girl around school, got kicked out. As you move into the story, it starts to become clear that Jenny Humphrey may be the new Tinsley around school.
This books has ups and downs throughout the story, but at the end of every chapter is a cliffhanger that builds suspension for the reader making him/her want to keep flipping through the pages. The gossip, drama, and relationships in this story are put into this 256 page book at a medium pace with great and attention grabbing narration. With a love and hate theme, this book reveals each character’s past, giving the reader a general idea about each character as it moves on. The It Girl, a young adult best seller, is a book that you wouldn’t want to put down until you’ve finished it without even realizing how far you have gotten into the book.
I remember when the Gossip Girl series was all the rage so reading this one, a spinoff of sorts featuring sophomore Jenny Humphrey, one of the characters from that series, seemed like going back in time. There's plenty of brand-name dropping and pop cultural references that make this one seem a bit dated, especially since the characters seem a lot less worldly than they might have been if this had been written in 2022 instead of 2005. The world has arguably changed quite a lot during those two decades. Leaving behind her in Manhattan a somewhat questionable past with a mistake or two, Jenny has transferred to an exclusive boarding school in upstate New York. She hopes to figure out the key to popularity once she arrives, ending up being placed in a room with two of the school's ruling class. But Callie and Brett are at odds over something that happened the previous year, and Jenny finds that her reputation has preceded her, only it's been embellished quite a lot. Still, there is much more to Jenny than can be seen at first glance, and her innocence, enthusiasm, and refusal to let others chart her course keeps her on course. The scene in which she belts out a bawdy cheer, tricked by the other field hockey team members, is simply hilarious. When Callie puts her in a difficult situation regarding Easy, Callie's boyfriend, Jenny faces consequences that may lead to her dismissal from the school. This was the expected entertaining read with some interesting character development and somewhat expected plot developments, but for me, the story hasn't stood up well with the passing of time. Maybe teens should read it for some historical perspective on life back then. What might have been shocking then seems rather commonplace nowadays--or perhaps I'm just jaded.
It was so exciting to see the most human Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey get to branch out on her own, getting away from the catty girls at Constance Billard, and having a chance to sort of start over on her own terms. Of course, boarding school is full of the same kind of rich, catty, beautiful girls with their own agendas -- and it seems that wherever Jenny goes, rumors fly around her. Her new roommates are interesting and mysterious: Brett, the secretive redhead who may be starting something up with the sexy young teacher, and Callie, the spoiled rotten governor's daughter who's used to getting exactly what she wants, even from her boyfriend, the arty, slacker boy, Easy Walsh (who you'll fall in love with, too.) Unfortunately for her, Easy Walsh seems to be taking notice of new girl Jenny -- much to Jenny's amazement.
Anyone who thought Jenny seemed like a very minor character in the Gossip Girls will appreciate how fully developed (not physically -- though of course she still has her large chest) she becomes once she's out of the shadow of Serena and Blair. She's still kind of awkward in this book, but she uses it to her advantage, and by the end of the book, she has a chance to prove herself as a strong girl that doesn't sit around wishing she were having fun -- she goes out and makes it happen.
Plenty of hot guys, love interests, and plot twists that will keep you turning the pages.
The brand name dropping in this book is out of this world. Shallow and vapid are the best words to describe the story and its characters. Nothing remarkable, but the ludicrous amount of brands that are mentioned in the span of a single page. Unbelievable.
Not normally a book I would go for but I needed something out of the usual fantasy style novels so I chose this.
It girl follows a newbie to Waverly, her name is Jenny and she gets put in a room with two of the most popular girls in the boarding school. She hasn't had the best start though, her stuff has been dropped off in the boys dorm as the school mistakenly thought she was a Mr not a Miss, and to top it off there's already rumors going round that she was a stripper!!
It girl follows Jenny and her two roomies Brett and Callie through a short easy read of school drama and bitchiness, and it doesn't stop there.
Overall It girl was exactly as expected, the writing was simplistic and whilst I wouldn't say it was great story telling it did keep me somewhat interested, mostly because the characters are all relatable. I did have one little issue though, every page pretty much brings up at least one designer name, It got on my nerves quite a bit but I will let it slide because I liked the chapter titles. I did expect there to be more bitchiness and typical high school banter than what was given but maybe thats all to follow in the next few books to this series.
I wouldn't rush to buy the next one but its certainly going to be bought for another light read. Im pretty sure the second one will be a lot more gripping though.
After Jenny Humphrey was asked to leave Constance Billard due to her promiscuity, she moves to this elite boarding school called Waverly Academy. Ok, Jenny is one of my least favorite characters in Gossip Girl but this series is so far a lot better than that one.
Jenny planned on turning over a new leaf, but not even a month in she is already facing the Disciplinary Committee for something she didn’t do. Since we’re not in the Upper East Side any more, we don’t get Gossip Girl updates but we do see the students’ IM’s and emails which I enjoyed so much.
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series and I’ll update with the ratings!
i knew this was going to be juvenile, i last read this series in the early stages of high school. definitely not a serious read, but i needed a reprieve from some of the more serious stories that i’ve read recently.
I am pretty far away from high school popularity. I attended high school in a very small town were popularity was incredibly relative. I don't recall any one particular girl whom everyone wanted to be or be with, and if that girl existed, she certainly wasn't me. My high school experience was such a unique one that I'm intrigued by girls who are willing to do and say and wear things outside their comfort zone for the sake of popularity. I suppose that curiousity is what led me to The It Girl.
Jenny --a spin-off character from the Gossip Girl series--has transferred to Waverly Boarding School where she hopes to shed her good-girl image, and earn some popularity with her new risk-taking attitude. Thanks to a series of mishaps and little white lies, Jenny fast becomes the most talked about girl on campus. The best-looking guys are all vying for her attention, and her pretty, popular roommates Brett and Callie are fawning over her. Mission....accomplished?
The It Girl is one of those books that I couldn't put down, but I couldn't tell you why. This isn't a page turner, full of adventure and action, nor is it a breathless romance. Truth be told, it's a droll little tale of drivel about unreal characters. So I suppose that's a testament to von Ziegesar's writing that she can keep my attention even when the subject is as trivial as high school popularity. The characters are flat and uninteresting, the plot is thin at best, and my interest in the outcome steadily waned from the very beginning. And yet, I couldn't put it down!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found von Ziegsar was completely in-tune with the teenage social scene, and their dialect, customs and ways, so much so it scared me - I felt like I was reading an anonymous guestbook of a ritzy, shockingly scandalous boarding school. The plot is full of drama, money, and deception. I love how each character is so different, but complements the characters closest to them. Brett, a fierce and modern girl seems to bring out Jenny's warm spirit, whereas Jenny seems to ground Brett a bit with her soothing capabilities. The character Tinsley is deliciously evil, she oozes sex appeal and is so vividly translated onto the page, I felt as if I were sitting next to her, cold sneer, stunning violet eyes, impeccable clothing and all. The boys are all very well developed, I love Brandon , and how despite how clean-cut, old-money and frantically OCD he is, I found him charming. Heath is filthy, beautiful and rich, complete with a sailor's mouth and an unquenchable desire for every girl he sets his eyes on at Waverly. Easy is a gentle spirit, usually drugged but with his compassionate moments he speaks to every one of the girls the book features - and they listen lustfully, and with intent. Overall, this is the perfect book for a summery day at the beach, a spring break trip to the pool, or just a moment of boredom on a dull weekend. Take heed, do not read this book on a school night. You will be up for hours wanting more and more of von Ziegesar's enticingly delicious work.
I really wish goodreads would allow half stars. Because frankly Cecily Von Ziegesar deserves a "pass mark" for her efforts, however, The It Girl doesn't quite deserve a 3. Von Ziegesar manages to write in a steady style: I've never been let down by any of her books, they've always entertained me enough to want to read the next in the series. However, this is no high-class literature. The books are shallow and trashy, and entertainment only in the sense of the gossip they contain. That being said, for her ability to continue to get them out edition after edition, and never disappoint as many authors with spanning series tend to do, Von Ziegesar will always deserve at least a pass.
I liked the role Jenny had in this new book, a step up from the original Gossip Girl books where she's almost a background character at times. I also like the new characters, although all rich like the kids back in Gossip Girl and NYC, they have a very distinct new culture, and I'm looking forward to seeing this expanded in future books.
Okei stundum les ég bækur sem ég veit að eru rusl, og dæmi þær því ólíkt bókum sem ég ætlast til þess að séu góðar. Þessi bók er rusl, en vá hvað hún var skemmtileg.
Ef þú elskar Gossip Girl þá er þessi bók fyrir þig því þetta er frumefnið sem þátturinn byggir á, nema spin off serían sem fókusar á Jenny Humphrey eftir að hún fer í boarding school. Allir eru 17 ára, upp dópaðir, annað hvort að deita kennarann sinn eða kærasta herbergisfélaga sinna og svo er smá field hockey líka. What is not to love.
Ekki fara inn í þessa bók með einhverja hugmynd um hver Jenny er, hvað þá Dan, því þetta eru allt aðrar persónur sem deila bara sömu nöfnum. Dan er t..d. í rokkhljómveit og Jenny er dökkhærð með risa stór brjóst (no hate sko þetta er bara í alvörunni reglulega nefnt og í raunni mikilvægt fyrir plottið) og algjört krútt ekki emo Jenny we know and love (eða hate kannski?)
Read the It Girl novels when I was in middle school. I got up to the 7th book and stopped reading because it just started feeling like one of those soap operas on daytime television. Yes, I know you all know what I'm talking about - "Days of Our Lives" the ones you can start watching in your teens and they'll still be on when you get married. The series was just overly drawn out, however for a middle school student these books kept my interest for quite some time, long enough to read all of the books and then wait for the 6th and 7th to come out. I would recommend it to more of a drama enthralled early teen or tween audience because most older teens would most definitely get bored with the annoying back and forth of the plot. There's a fine line between interesting teen angst and just annoying, irritating repetition - the It Girl novels are riding that fine line.
*SpoilerAlert* This is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. This Gossip Girl spin-off is far better than the original series. After getting expelled from Constance Billiard, Jenny Humphrey applies at Waverly Academy, a prestige boarding school. Jenny was admitted late and was forced to share a room with juniors even though Jenny was a sophomore. Her two roommates are what you would consider 'popular', but not as popular as their former roommate Tinsley Charmichael. She was expelled last spring for E. Jenny tries to take the place of Tinsley as Waverly's It Girl. But how will she do it? You'll have to read to find out!
If your ready to step up in your reading and experiment on having a good time, this book is for you. I recommend it to students who are older. The content isn't the best for younger kids though. This book is such a good book, i read the whole series! The it girl is about a girl who transfers to a new school. She gets caught up in all the action some what and people really start to notice her. In the book, they have emails between the kids and it's very funny. If you are ready to laugh out loud and a girl, you will totally enjoy this book!
This is a young teen/young adult book. That being said I wouldn't let my teen read this book. It makes it sound like casual sex is acceptable/expected for/of high school students. I was shocked at how shallow these kids where in this book. I was not impressed. Not everyone is doing "it" or drinking all the time in high school and I got the impression that if you didn't you were a nobody, I would rather have my children, grandchildren learning morals and values than behaving this way. Really disappointed in the book.
So if you love the Gossip Girl tv show, you are going to love this novel. I have only read a couple of the Gossip Girl books but I have seen the entire series, and one of my favorite characters was Jenny. Jenny was always interesting and stood out a lot from her family, which I always thought was very interesting because of how shy she actually was. This novel really brings in a lot of new characters that the reader learns to adore through the entire novel. Callie and Easy are by far my favorite, but I want to learn more about the rest of them especially the boys because there are somethings that aren't explained that I really want to know in this novel.
I restarted this book series again, and 13 year old me is living for it!! This was one of my fave series when I was younger. And tbh, it’s still so good! Privileged rich kids in boarding school? Yass hun give me the drama! I love the sassy writing too💅🏼✨