SOLVED. Juvenile; A group of kids are seen as losers at school, so they band together, group symbol = blue dot on back of hand. There was an intense game of capture the flag (losers vs. others), and losers hid the flag in the basketball hoop's rim [s]

[k]

There was another scene where everyone in the class took the infamous ptc test (a bitterness test that had a reputation for determining future romantic relationships), and everyone in the loser club pretended they couldn't taste the bitterness, even if some actually did.

[Rainbowheart]

When did you read it?

[k]

Rainbowheart wrote: "When did you read it?"

probably around 2013–2014 ish

[Rosa]

Liar & Spy?

[k]

Rosa wrote: "Liar & Spy?"

nope, sorry...I do remember reading that book when I was younger though!

this book centered around a group of kids who all went to the same school

[Rainbowheart]

Were these kids in middle school or high school?

[k]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Were these kids in middle school or high school?"

definitely middle school. I'd say 6th grade?

[Rosa]

k wrote: "Rosa wrote: "Liar & Spy?"

nope, sorry...I do remember reading that book when I was younger though!

this book centered around a group of kids who all went to the same school"

Okay. I haven’t read it, but I looked up the key phrases and words “blue dot,” “capture the flag,” “basketball hoop,” “bitter,” and “loser” on archive.org using the “search text contents” function, and Liar & Spy kept coming up. That’s why I suggested it, although the summary doesn’t include any of your details. Good luck!

[Rainbowheart]

The Loser List?

The Losers' Club?

[Jesse]

K, I recall what you described being the sub-plot in Liar & Spy.

[Rosa]

K, are you still looking?

[k]

Jesse wrote: "K, I recall what you described being the sub-plot in Liar & Spy."

really? I'll take another look then, thanks! I only vaguely remember the part of the plot with Safer from Liar and Spy, so I'll look again

[Rosa]

The suspense is killing me.

[Rosa]

K, did you find out?

[k]

I checked out the Google Books preview of liar and spy again, and it actually was liar and spy! I have no idea why my mind had somehow separated the two storylines into separate books...thanks so much to everyone who helped me!

[Rosa]

Great, I'm so glad this mystery was cleared up!