Books like The Clique

A glossy, cutthroat plunge into the hyper-exclusive, brand-obsessed warfare of middle school social climbing. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Clique.

glossy
cutthroat
exclusive
status-obsessed

01
Best Friends for Never
Lisi Harrison
A deliciously catty, brand-obsessed plunge into the cutthroat social warfare of wealthy middle schoolers.
Shares:
- snarky
- catty
- satirical
- dramatic
02
Bratfest at Tiffany's
Lisi Harrison
A glossy, brand-obsessed dive into the cutthroat social warfare of elite middle schoolers where a single fashion misstep or forbidden crush can ruin your life.
Shares:
- glossy
- snarky
- satirical
- dramatic
03
How to Be Popular
Meg Cabot
A bubbly, laugh-out-loud exploration of high school social climbing that proves the best version of yourself is usually the one you left behind.
Feels:
- lighthearted
- nostalgic
- bubbly
04
It Had to Be You
Cecily von Ziegesar
A deliciously voyeuristic plunge into the scandalous, brand-obsessed lives of Manhattan's teenage elite.
Shares:
- snarky
- dramatic
- social hierarchy
- wealth and privilege
05
Gossip Girl
Cecily von Ziegesar
A deliciously toxic, brand-name-dropping plunge into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's teenage elite.
Shares:
- snarky
- satirical
- social hierarchy
- wealth and privilege
06
The Carrie diaries
Candace Bushnell
A youthful, observant journey through the social labyrinth of high school and the spark of creative ambition.
Feels:
- formative
- energetic
- nostalgic
07
Dork Diaries
Rachel Renée Russell · 2009
A highly visual, laugh-out-loud plunge into the dramatic, doodle-filled chaos of surviving middle school as an unapologetic outsider.
Shares:
- dramatic
08
First Day Jitters
Julie Danneberg · 2000
A clever, comforting embrace of a story that validates the universal dread of starting over before delivering a delightful, tension-breaking twist.
Feels:
- anxious
- lighthearted
- comforting
09
Hating Alison Ashley
Robin Klein · 2004
A lively, competitive dive into the fierce and familiar world of classroom rivalry.
Feels:
- lively
- energetic
- schoolyard-centric
10
Perfect chemistry
Simone Elkeles
A high-stakes, opposites-attract romance that crackles with tension and the desperate ache of trying to be someone you are not.
Shares:
- dramatic
11
Perfect
Sara Shepard · 2007
A glossy, paranoia-fueled descent into the dark secrets hiding behind manicured lawns and designer labels.
Shares:
- glossy
12
Pretty Little Liars
Sara Shepard · 2006
A deliciously soapy, paranoia-fueled plunge into the dark secrets hiding behind manicured suburban lawns.
Shares:
- dramatic

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