Trevor Romain - Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney

Copyright 1998 by Trevor Romain and Elizabeth Verdick

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Romain, Trevor.
Cliques, phonies, and other baloney / Trevor Romain.
p.cm.
Summary: Discusses cliques, what they are and their negative aspects, and gives advice on forming healthier relationships and friendships.
ISBN-13 978-1-57542-045-5

ISBN-10 1-57542-045-7
1. Interpersonal relations in childrenJuvenile literature. 2. Cliques (Sociology)Juvenile literature. 3. Friendship in childrenJuvenile literature. [1. Cliques (Sociology) 2. Social groups. 3. Interpersonal relations. 4. Friendship.] I. Title.
BF723.I646R65 1998
758.25dc21

98-36248

CIP
AC

eBook ISBN: 978-1-57542-815-4

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Reading Level Grades 34; Interest Level Ages 813;

Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Level O

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Dedication

For my young friend, Candy,
a true survivor and a fighter
who never gives up.

Contents

Introduction

Since this is the introduction, Id like to introduce something. Its a word thats spelled funny and sounds funny, and can actually be a pain in the neck. The word is clique. It sounds like trick. Its tricky being cliquey as you go through school.

Why? Because cliques can make you feel:

• lonely
• scared
• angry
• unwelcome
• unhappy
• unpopular

When you feel this way, its hard to have fun, pay attention in school, or feel good about yourself.

If youre bothered by cliques, this book is for you. If youre dying to be in a clique, this book is for you, too. Even if youre in a clique, you can learn something from this book.

This book is about cliqueswhat they are, what they do, and what you can do about them . Its also about making friends (those important people in your life who dont mind if you act like a big dork, say the wrong thing, or make a mistake). Youll learn that having good friends isnt always the same thing as being popular or being in a clique. Youll also discover that the best way to get along with peopleat school or anywhere elseis to be self-confident and friendly.

Just What Is a Clique?

CLIQUE (noun): a small, closely knit group of people who share things in common.

That definition sounds harmless. So why do some cliques leave you feeling annoyed, uneasy, and even a little queasy?

If cliques make you sick, you might have Cliques Vomititus, otherwise known as the Clique Sickness. Or maybe you feel like throwing up because the clique is being cliquey. This means the clique members might:

1. Leave other kids out on purpose, and

2. Act like theyre better than everyone elseincluding you.

Cliquey (the Dreaded C-Word)

Not all cliques are cliquey, but many are. Experts say that some cliques behave like this to feel stronger and more powerful. Kids in the clique might feel better about themselves if they say, Lets not hang out with that person.

B eing cliquey can make the clique feel secure (because being part of a group is a kind of protection). Think about how wild dogs form packs in the wilderness, or how gangs hang out in the streets. Cliques arent as dangerous, but the idea is the same. They stick together because theres safety in numbers.

The #1 Clique Myth

Kids in cliques are the most confident, happy, and popular kids of all.

The Truth: Some clique members may be confident and feel good about themselves. But others may be insecure, which is why being part of a group might make them feel better.

Its also a myth that kids in cliques are always popular. Actually, they may have trouble getting to know other kids in their class or school if they hang out with the same people all the time.

Four Dorky Things Cliques Do

#1: They always travel in a group. They go everywhere together, like a herd of cows.

Why do they want to behave like a big animal that says Moo?

#2: They have rules. The rules say whos cool and whos not, and what members can and cant do.

Some of the rules are really stupid. I heard about a clique where members pulled out their eyelashes so they would look scary. Duh! Imagine trying to blink in a sandstorm without eyelashes. Besides, who needs MORE rules at school?