Flipped Themes

Flipped follows neighbors Juli and Bryce from second to eighth grade as they navigate first love, heartbreak, and adolescent misunderstandings. The novel “flips” back and forth, presenting the story from both protagonists’ perspectives, a narrative tool that demonstrates how two people can see the same events in entirely different ways. For instance, when Juli first meets Bryce, she falls for his blue eyes instantly, but when Bryce first meets Juli, he can’t stand her. As…

More than just a love story, Flipped is also a tale about how family fundamentally shapes who a person becomes. Contrasting Bryce’s conformity to his father’s prejudice with Juli’s loyalty to her family’s values, the novel suggests that to discover one’s true identity, one must first have the courage to question—and, if necessary, to reject—the beliefs they’re raised with. Bryce spends his childhood idolizing his father simply because he never had reason to…

Wendelin Van Draanen’s Flipped is a coming-of-age novel that explores how personal integrity influences one’s significant relationships. At its core, the novel demonstrates that real growth comes from learning to live honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable. Juli begins the novel with a strong moral compass already intact, often going so far as to give to others—usually Bryce—at the expense of her own happiness. Bryce, however, avoids conflict, tells half-truths, and follows the path of…