Flipped

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-6

Chapters 7-10

Chapters 11-12

Chapters 13-14

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Character Analysis

Juli Baker (Julianna)

Julie is an eighth grader in the present action of the story. Much of her narrative covers her memories of notable backstory events in previous school years, such as her fifth-grade egg incubation project and her attempt to save the sycamore tree in seventh grade. All of Juli’s recollections combine with her eighth-grade narrative to build a complete look at this three-dimensional, dynamic protagonist. Juli lives in a Mayfield neighborhood with her parents and two older brothers, Matt and Mike. Little is mentioned about her physical appearance, though from Bryce’s indirect details, readers can infer that Juli has long hair that can be swept back by the wind and that it can be “brushed out” (147) when she chooses. From Juli’s narrative, the reader can infer that she is not overly concerned with appearance, as she flippantly refers to Shelly Stalls’ too-perfect hair on auction day: “She’d probably been up since five, making her hair into some impossibly pouffy do” (195). Furthermore, when Juli gets the idea to tag along on her father’s visit to Uncle David, she thinks nothing of hopping in the truck as she is: “I wasn’t even really dressed—I’d just pulled on some sweat and sneakers, no socks—but in my mind there was no doubt. I was going” (130).

Juli’s character arc is a coming-of-age process defined by a few crucial events over the years that she knows Bryce. She could not stay away from him in second and third grades, but she thinks her behavior is more civilized and controlled in fourth grade. If anything, however, that control was a dormant resting period to gear up for fifth-grade events. Juli’s fifth-grade year contains two especially formative events in her growing up: her battle with Shelly Stalls over Bryce and her successful science fair project. Both represent facets of Juli’s personality; her choice to take on Shelly symbolizes Juli’s overall confidence and self-assurance, as she is certain that Bryce needs saving from Shelly and that even the principal is on her (Juli’s) side in the matter. With incubating the eggs, Juli is nervous at first but grows excited and capable as she observes the chicks’ development in the shells and once they are hatched. This symbolizes her growth and development in confidence, risk-taking, and learning new things. Caring for her hens and starting her egg business within the next year is evidence of Juli’s continually increasing self-assurance; at school, she feels increasingly connected to Bryce because they sit near one another, and her growing sureness allows her to break the rules for him (when she cheats at spelling by whispering answers).

Eighth grade, though, holds the most importance to Juli’s growth as a character. The sycamore tree, having taught her the meaning of her father’s cryptic philosophy about true beauty being more than a sum of parts, supplies Juli with a perspective and everyday magic that matches the “iron backbone” and zest for life inside her; she wants that experience in the branches to kick off each day. However, she meets and must accept failure when she cannot dissuade the tree cutters or property owner from cutting the tree down. The passing of the family dog, who had been with the Bakers since Juli was six, is undeniable proof that everything changes. She makes the shocking discovery that her best eggs ended up in the Loskis’ trash for two years and must contend with the feelings of betrayal and threat to self-worth accompanying this finding. These events give her pause and force her to face reality; the poise and reflection of an older and wiser Juli begin to appear.

Juli begins the work on her front yard out of anger toward Bryce and his rudeness, but the improvements quickly become more representative of a transformation in Juli herself—especially with the repair of the fence (this symbolizes her new need to protect herself from others who might hurt her) and the new grass seed (fine blades of grass replace the rough ground cover that was there before, symbolizing Juli’s transformation from an unsubtle child to a teen with more refined composure). Her experiences and new maturity promote her ability to forgive Bryce—several times—and to ready herself to see him with new eyes.

Bryce Loski

Bryce, his parents, and his sister Lynetta move in across the street from the Bakers just before he begins second grade. He recognizes little change in Juli from that time until eighth grade. He focuses on her annoying, clingy habits and her chaotic, messy house and yard, but he cannot look more deeply than that due to a lack of maturity and fear. Bryce turns away from conflict as a rule: he “dives” to calmer hiding places while arguments with his parents or sister surge overhead, he runs away when Shelly and Juli fight in fifth grade, he takes up a spying mission instead of asking Juli straightforwardly about a rooster, and he secretly pitches fresh eggs for two years to get out of having a conversation with her.

Because of his fear and avoidance tactics, Bryce opts for safe, uninteresting pastimes—hanging with Garrett, staying in his room, playing basketball for leisure—compared to Juli’s busy activities with raising hens and climbing trees. Symbolic stand-out moments juxtaposing Bryce’s conformity with Juli’s vigor fill the narrative as they grow: She climbs the tree while he flies a kite, she hatches all six eggs successfully for the science fair—an unheard of accomplishment—while he shows up with a trite volcano eruption; she tries to save the sycamore while he gets on the bus with the rest of the students. For all these reasons, though, Bryce’s character arc turns more dramatically than does Juli’s; when he “flips” for her in the days leading up to the dinner party, the sudden change packs a wallop he is not expecting and can barely handle; luckily, thanks to his grandfather’s tutelage regarding those “dipped in iridescent” (96) and forewarning that Bryce will “never be the same” (187), Bryce defeats peer pressure and stays the course toward a relationship with Juli that is based on his newfound and sincere respect for her. Ultimately, he proves himself a dynamic, interesting character like Juli.

The reader very gradually learns that Bryce’s father is an unsupportive, negative influence in Bryce’s life. Part of the reason for the slow pace of this discovery is that when Bryce recalls his early years of struggle with Juli, he thinks his father is on his side, so he projects an image of his father as a helpful Ally. As Bryce grows to see his father for whom he really is, though, the reader begins to see Mr. Loski’s true character as well. This change contributes strongly to Bryce’s coming-of-age, as he is faced with a significant choice regarding his own personality: Should he be more like his dad or less like him? By the time of the dinner party in eighth grade and the subsequent dysfunction in the household, Bryce chooses to be unlike his father, though it still takes him several days to figure out how to prove it to Juli.

Grandad Duncan (Chet)

Bryce’s maternal grandfather Chet Duncan comes to live with the Loskis when Bryce is in seventh grade. Initially, Bryce and Granddad are not close, and in fact, their early conversations are distinctly uncomfortable for Bryce. Granddad is a vocal supporter of Juli, while Bryce still finds her annoying and impossible. Granddad sees a fiery spirit and forward momentum in Juli that he finds similar to that of his late wife, Renee. He takes it upon himself to offer Juli yard help, and the two become friends. Granddad’s welcoming attitude toward Juli and the Bakers influences Mrs. Loski to initiate the dinner party despite her husband’s disapproval.

Granddad is thrilled to see Bryce come around regarding Juli. He speaks to Bryce much more warmly once Bryce apologizes to her for his poor decisions and comments. When Bryce admits to liking her and almost kissing her because of how much she’s changed, Granddad quickly points out that Bryce is the one who changed, not Juli. His wisdom and knowledge make Granddad a strong Mentor character archetype for Juli and Bryce. He is a dynamic character who regains some energy and liveliness when he is inspired by Juli’s actions and begins helping with her yard project. With his age, experience, and insight, Granddad Chet also symbolizes the no-nonsense dose of reality and maturity both Bryce and Juli need to accept change, see each as they really are, and take courageous steps toward a mature relationship with one another.

Mr. Baker (Robert) and Mr. Loski (Rick)

Juli’s father and Bryce’s father, both static characters, are dramatic foils in several ways. Mr. Baker is a mason who works in various places; he enjoys painting landscapes and possesses romantic sensibilities about life, beauty, love, and learning. He is devoted to his family, proud of his children, and kind and nurturing (as seen with his instruction to Juli regarding incubating and candling the eggs). He is also devoted to his younger brother David who needs expensive care. Mr. Baker is also humble, as he admits to Juli that Mr. Loski is surely the better provider to his family. He instructs his children directly with words of wisdom and indirectly through his hardworking, moral example, fulfilling the role of an archetypal Mentor.

Mr. Loski, by contrast, works in an office job. He is short-tempered and judgmental, showing his disdain for the Bakers with repeated comments about their messy yard and property. He makes rude and insensitive comments when he learns about Mr. Baker’s brother. Within his home, he tends to deride his wife and children and make passive-aggressive comments to Granddad that he treats as humor, but others do not. Granddad can see Mr. Loski’s true nature, but it takes the dinner party and his subsequent accusations toward Mike and Matt for Mrs. Loski to see her husband’s true nature. In the last chapter, Mrs. Baker alludes to trouble brewing between the Loskis, now that Mrs. Loski “is seeing her husband for what he is” (208). He symbolizes small-mindedness, bias, and negativity and hurts the daily functional operational and communication processes of the Loski family with his antagonistic comments and behavior.