"There are three and only three rules for shoplifting," Francie instructed me.
From the very first day Val meets the outrageously blond Fra... read full description
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Jul 21, 2008
Rachael
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Before Francie Knight comes along, Valentina is pretty much a nothing. She has no more friends since they all moved away. Francie and Valentina seem to be total opposites; Francie is the big-haired blonde, the girl that catches everyone’s attention, but Val is the brunette, the quiet one that fades into the background. They would make the most unlikely duo. However, the day that Francie calls out Val’s name in the mall, Val knows her life will never be the same. And it isn’t. The two new friends
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Apr 11, 2010
Lenore
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Val, a brunette, has always blended in, never stood out. That is until she meets Francie, a seemingly invincible blonde who takes Val under her wing and shows her that life is for the taking.
For a novel about shoplifting, it’s interesting that shoplifting really isn’t the point. Francie teaches Val how to steal, but in the end, it’s not about stealing the insignificant items that they do from the mall – it’s about finding that Holy Grail of theft – stealing an aura.
As Val More...
For a novel about shoplifting, it’s interesting that shoplifting really isn’t the point. Francie teaches Val how to steal, but in the end, it’s not about stealing the insignificant items that they do from the mall – it’s about finding that Holy Grail of theft – stealing an aura.
As Val More...
Jan 03, 2010
Telka
rated it: 
This book was about a girl named Valentina who is very lonely in her life. Her older brother is dying from who knows what, her mother has the most irritable husband, and Val has absolutely no friends. Well, that is until Francie shows up and changes Val's life forever. From being an A+ student to being an F student is quite a lot, and Val knows it. Could it be the prettiness of those enchanting blue eyes, or was it the attractiveness of Francie's hair that sucked Val into the blond world? Franc
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May 01, 2009
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Breanna F. for TeensReadToo.com
Valentina has had friends throughout the years. But they all just seem to fade out and then she's left by herself again. She spends her time at the mall, hoping that one day something there will change her life. And what do you know, it actually happens.
While she's browsing the racks at the Wet Seal, Francie Knight taps on her shoulder. Francie is a very provocative girl in Val's class who has been seen around campus wearing the More...
Valentina has had friends throughout the years. But they all just seem to fade out and then she's left by herself again. She spends her time at the mall, hoping that one day something there will change her life. And what do you know, it actually happens.
While she's browsing the racks at the Wet Seal, Francie Knight taps on her shoulder. Francie is a very provocative girl in Val's class who has been seen around campus wearing the More...
Jul 20, 2010
Christi
rated it: 
Summary: Francie Knight has it all: good looks, confidence, and charisma, at least that’s what Valentine Martinez believes. As good-girl Val becomes closer to Francie and her evil ways, Val discovers that not everything is what it appears to be. Val takes up Francie’s false confidence and takes a turn for the worse as she discovers her inner beauty, her self-worth, and the value of friendship and family. In the end, the joke isn’t really that funny and the only person you should depend on is
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Aug 11, 2009
Laura
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No one has ever looked at Francie without doing a double-take. Everything about her is big – her hair, her make-up, her boobs. Francie’s the kind of girl who ends up wearing the “whore’s raincoat,” an ankle-length lime green coat that is doled out to cover up inappropriate clothing, on her first day at a new school. No one has ever looked at Val twice. Why would they? She’s practically invisible, her hair “brown like something you looked for and looked for and couldn’t find until your mom t
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Jan 12, 2010
Rachel
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Dec 09, 2009
stephanie
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i wanted to like this more than i did.
perhaps i missed the major point of the book. but i don't understand val's thought process, and why francie ended up the way she did - val was the one that bought the illusion francie was selling, and i don't think francie was selling it vindictively.
the writing was strong, i definitely knew the characters - i just didn't like them, had a hard time identifying with anything about them, and really not understanding the ending.
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perhaps i missed the major point of the book. but i don't understand val's thought process, and why francie ended up the way she did - val was the one that bought the illusion francie was selling, and i don't think francie was selling it vindictively.
the writing was strong, i definitely knew the characters - i just didn't like them, had a hard time identifying with anything about them, and really not understanding the ending.
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Dec 08, 2009
Nian
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The beginning was catchy, but after Val became friends with Francie, things started to get confusing. I didn't really understand the commotion about what an enigma Francie was. I didn't understand how one point, Val needed Francie to keep from losing herself, and vice versa. I definitely didn't understand how Val could have treated Francie like that. I mostly did not get the whole "joke" that Val is trying to tell us. Is it that in the end, Val became the blonde, and Francie the brunet
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Jan 05, 2011
Hollie
rated it: 
Trashy book right from the first page. Contains language and sexual references. Sounded like a good idea for a book, but I couldn't get past the trash!
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Aug 11, 2010
Ashley
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This book was a little odd for me. The characters were not really very likeable, and the main character, Valentina, spent most of her time in this weird half dream, half reality state to the point where the lines blurred and I couldn't tell what was really happening and what she was dreaming. The story is essentially about two girls who become friends and shoplift together. Francie, the gorgeous blonde who is also a little "off", and Val, who fades into the background more often than n
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Sep 06, 2009
Jean
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This book was hard to classify. I can't say that I liked it. But I was impressed by it. And there isn't a category for that. The characters aren't always likable, but they are kids that you feel some sympathy for. I was curious about Val's obvious lack of connection with her own family. Except for her mysterious brother, they don't play much of a role in her life. But Francie's mother is a central figure in her life, someone she must protect but someone she tries to escape from as well.
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Nov 09, 2009
Nancy
rated it:
Val is one of those students at high school who just blends in. She doesn't have any particular friends, she skates by with a B+ average though she could do better; her physics teacher can't even remember her name.
Then Francie joins her class and everything changes. Francie is flamboyant, defiant, she smokes, she's always late to class, her clothing pushes the dress code: she's nowhere in Val's league. But for some reason, she latches onto Val, who is astonished and grateful, and wil More...
Then Francie joins her class and everything changes. Francie is flamboyant, defiant, she smokes, she's always late to class, her clothing pushes the dress code: she's nowhere in Val's league. But for some reason, she latches onto Val, who is astonished and grateful, and wil More...
Oct 02, 2011
Liany
rated it:
i do love this book its very witty and is relate able to teens the things its missing a few details i don't really understand how Francis brother was just gone and everyone knew it i suppose he killed himself but still confusing...also the ending is what threw me off i never really understood...but the book did grip from beginning to end and to me i really related to the characters and it strove makes you think i really do love this book as a whole but some parts are somewhat unnecessary
Aug 09, 2009
Ashley
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Thoughts: I really enjoyed most parts of this novel. In my opinion the swearing was a bit excessive but it was also needed as description in certain parts. The sexual nature of this book leaned a tad toward the creepy side. At sometimes they made the characters sound 13 or 14. I don’t know any 14 year olds who dress so trampy and deal with sexual advances in these ways. The story could have kept my attention a little better if the plot wasn’t so “out there”. Yes shoplifting is at large in teens,
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Jun 25, 2011
It's scary how emotionaly involve I got in this book. Not even in a fun sort of way, but more like I was looking down upon an awful situation with no way to help. I feel like there's something really deep in this book that I just don't have enough experience tobunserstand. Or maybe it was just written to act like it was smart really wasn't. Either way, I really don't have a legitamte opinion about this book, and I can't pinpoint exacty what made it so strange in the end.
Nov 04, 2009
Melissa
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The Blonde of the Joke by Bennett Madison (HarperTeen, $17). Val is one of those girls who's easily led. Francie is one of those girls who leads with ease. Watching their magical friendship develop against the bland backdrop of a suburban shopping center is a total delight. They turn palming lip gloss and shoplifting Gap sweaters into an otherworldly accomplishment and the book sparkles with the fantasy of their illusory friendship. I want to hang out at this mall.
Sep 14, 2010
Sara
rated it:
I really disliked this story - it lacked focus, and too much was unexplained, which made it seem like it was trying to be deep and profound, but felt more like an above-average submission to a high school literary magazine. Also, it was really unbalanced with the especially weird stuff was mixed in with the mundane. I guess I didn't get it.
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Jul 04, 2009
46milestogo
rated it:
Sharp and lyrical, this one stayed with me for days with thought-provoking questions about friendship, love, and identity. Should be an award contender but as I am always wrong about these things it probably won't be.
Oct 25, 2009
Adeline
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I related to this book on many levels. Sharp and funny, about frenemies -- and teens trying to find meaning, salvation and power in a mundane world. Which is kind of what being a teenage girl feels like.
Dec 15, 2011
Shi'Asia
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I didn't understand the book very much at all. The plot wasn't very real and the charcters weren't that great themselves. After I finished the book I questioned why I read it, not a good book at all.The ending wasn't very good at all and nothing was answered when it was over.
Aug 11, 2010
Allysonnn =]
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I really liked this book:) Hated the ending though, totally weird and just a waste of time, But the rest was really really good:)
Sep 30, 2009
Laurie
rated it:
I was very very disappointed. I loved the Lulu Dark books, but this one never came together for me. It had amazing potential but ended up as a waste of time.
Feb 03, 2012
Bennett
rated it:
Is it tacky to give your own book five stars? WHO CARES?!
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May 04, 2009
Outstanding! The writing is so powerful and evocative, and Bennett created two really memorable characters. I haven't stopped thinking about this one since I finished it.
Jul 29, 2008
MaryAnn
rated it:
I have been ruminating on this since I finished (I have to write a review) and I just do not know what to say . . . I love Lulu Dark but this not so much. At one point I was like this kind of Fight Club-ish only with girls shoplifting, hmmmm....... I wish I could put my finger on it but this is a tough one.
Aug 31, 2008
I got an advanced copy of this book. I have to review for HarperTeen by Friday...
Feb 07, 2012
