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The Diamonds (2009)

by Ted Michael(Favorite Author)

3.33 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0385735790 (ISBN13: 9780385735797)

languge

English

genre

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

publisher

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

review 1: Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.comMarni Valentine is a "Diamond." The Diamonds are the four girls who basically run Bennington School. The name developed when someone made a comment about their matching diamond necklaces when they were freshman.Marni couldn't believe her luck when Clarissa took her into the fold. Being accepted by Clarissa brought instant popularity and acceptance. Which helped Marni, as she wasn't nearly as rich, smart, or pretty as the other three girls: Clarissa, Priya, and Lili.The girls show they are true friends when they come to Marni's aid the day Marni's boyfriend, Jed, publicly dumps her over the morning announcements. During an AP Government class mock trial, Clarissa turns the table on Jed and his new girl, and soon the rest of the school ... moreis giving Jed and Darcy the cold shoulder. Because of their composure and confidence, their teacher, Mr. Townsen, suggests the girls join the Mock Trial team.Before long, the Mock Trial team has turned into a mechanism that the Diamonds use to control the school. Fellow students are trying each other and the Diamonds create new rules that the administration unwittingly agrees with.It isn't until Marni finds herself involved with Clarissa's ex-boyfriend that the full brunt of the Diamonds' power is turned against her. She is disowned by her friends and takes refuge with the most unlikely group of people, including her ex-boyfriend, Jed.Marni tries to get the administration to realize that the Diamonds are up to no good, but she gets blown off and realizes that if she wants to remove the Diamonds and get the school back to normal, she'll have to do it herself, with her new friends.THE DIAMONDS was a fascinating look into the inner workings of a private school. It shows the reader how a seemingly small idea can blossom and get out of control. Marni enjoyed being on the inside but it isn't until she's cast out of favor that she truly becomes a decent person. She learns that everyone has something positive they can contribute and not to judge others by outward appearances alone.THE DIAMONDS is written as Marni's testimony on why she does what she does. It flows quickly and has entertaining moments. It's also scary to realize that situations like the ones in the story could actually happen if teens don't fight for what is right.
review 2: I honestly expected a lot from The Diamonds because it looked pretty interesting. So imagine my disappointment when I found the plot extremely cliche, the characters pretty shallow and the overall average outlook of this novel.The plot was the average friends turned enemies kind of book. Very middle-school like. However, I did enjoy the politics of the whole book - the mock trial with the jury and the judges and the attempt on bringing about justice in school. The fact is though that Clarissa and her followers are going about the wrong way and it's not until Marni gets kicked off that she realizes how "justice" really works.I honestly didn't like Marni. She's extremely shallow and just not a very friendly girl. Like I said before, she didn't realize how mean her friends were to everyone until she got ditched like a piece of hot potato. And even then, she just wanted to ignore them and she didn't want to stand up to them until Tommy gave her the idea. She's smart obviously because she literally rewrote the Constitution to fit her mock trial purposes and it's not until she gets the courage does she finally use her smartness to bring real justice in her school.Anderson, the reason Marni got kicked out of the Diamonds, was a jerk. At first, I thought he was a really sensitive and an overall awesome guy. But he's a coward. He betrayed Marni because he didn't want to become ridiculed anymore by his peers. And he didn't only betray Marni, he betrayed Marni's whole "motley" group and their whole plans.Overall, I can honestly say that The Diamonds didn't meet up my expectations. However, if you enjoy reading about a whole new side of politics and school, you can check this book out. less

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