That's What's Up!: A del Rio Bay Clique Novel

by Paula Chase

It's springtime in Del Rio Bay, and everyone's heading to the O.C. to catch the varsity cheer squad. Mina and Brian are excited to have some unsupervised cuddle time, but Mina's number-one enemy, Jessica, has something up her sleeve. Even Mina's friends are in for trouble during spring break, as Lizzie takes her mind off books and puts it on boys for the first time in her life and Jacinta fails to break things off with Raheem - even when he does something...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758225822
• ISBN13: 9780758225825
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Kensington -Teen/Dafina
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

Enchanting Review: That's What's Up!

THAT'S WHAT'S UP PAULA CHASE Contemporary Young Adult Dafina Rating: 4.5 Enchantments The best thing about Ms. Chase's DEL RIO BAY CLIQUE series is that the stories focus on the entire clique, not just solely on Mina and that continues in THAT'S WHAT'S UP, the third book in the series. Its almost spring break and that means everyone is heading to the O.C. to cheer on the varsity cheer squad compete at Extreme. All right, so not everyone is going, while Mina and the guys are headed for fun, Kelly, Jacinta, and Lizzie are stuck at home...well, they're supposed to be stuck at home until one of them comes up with a surefire plan to get them all to the Extreme. But can things actually work out for the three girls? With her new Upper status, Mina can't wait to head to O.C for spring break and the Extreme. Sure, it sucks that some of the clique has to stay behind on vacation, but it gives her a chance to enjoy her time with the Uppers...including her sworn enemy Jessica Johnson. But when Jessica mysteriously calls a truce before the Extreme, is it too good to be true? What I love about Ms. Chase's books is the realism she brings to her characters and high school life in general. Everyone can identify with the cliques, especially the exclusive Uppers. Jessica is the perfect mean girl, willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Mina ends up back on the outside of the Uppers. And what she has in mind for poor Mina is truly disastrous. I'm anxious to see what happens in the next book, because there's definitely going to be fall-out from this one. My favorite part of THAT'S WHAT'S UP is when the book shifts to the O.C. and the Extreme itself. That's when things truly got interesting. All in all, THAT'S WHAT'S UP is a great third book in the series. Learn more about THAT'S WHAT'S UP at http://www.paulachasehyman.com/whatsup.php and read an excerpt at http://www.paulachasehyman.com/whatsup1.php Look for the fourth book in the series, WHO YOU WIT'? out in November 2008. Lisa Enchanting Reviews August 2008

It Can't Be

I have thoroughly enjoyed Paula Chase's teen series. In this episode of the Del Rio Bay Clique, Mina finds herself in a truce with her sworn enemy Jessica and involved in a great relationship with her boyfriend Brian. And as a freshman she's going to the finals. Life could only be sweeter if her girls, Lizzie, Cinny and Kelly, were rolling out with her. Hmmm... Chocked with lies and deceit, `That's What's Up!' is as the rest of the series - a very easy and relatable read. Reviewed by: Lauren OOSA Teen Reviewer

Maintaining the Status Quo

The Extreme Nationals cheerleading competition is all that's on the minds of the students of Del Rio Bay High School. Anybody who's anybody will be there for spring break. And now that Mina Mooney has achieved a certain status at Del Rio Bay, she will be there too. She has the boyfriend every girl wants and her friend, Sara, has helped her gain access to the cafeteria, where popularity reigns supreme. The only problem is Sara's twin sister, Jessica. Jessica hates Mina and doesn't want her in the cafeteria, but because of her sister she backs off, a little. In fact, Jessica offers Mina the olive branch of peace for the weekend at Extreme Nationals. Now just what's going on here? For the Nationals, the gang gets separated. Some are allowed to attend, while others have to improvise to get there. Once there, the competition is fierce, the partying goes nonstop and all conspiracies are revealed. Who will be left standing? Or, in this case, who will be left at the bottom of the heap? THAT'S WHAT UP! was a powerful trip down memory lane through the halls of high school life. Being part of the popular crew was every young girl's dream back then and it still is today. Accepted and well-liked by the "in" crowd is how most girls tend to value themselves. But as Mina and the gang find out, being popular has strings attached. Although this is my first Del Rio Bay Clique novel, I was enthralled by it and in love with the way Paul Chase portrays this age group's nuances, habits and colloquialisms. Although I felt this novel could stand alone, I would suggest everyone do as I will be doing, go read the first two novels first. Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Rummin'

The only thing going on in the Del Rio Bay is the extreme. While the main focus is on the varsity cheer squad, some are anticipating the partying while others are seriously plotting. The only people in the DRB who aren't buzzing about the extreme are Kelly, Jacinta and Lizzie, who will be stuck in the cove over spring break. Mina is fly! Not only is she officially apart of the uppers, Mouthy Mi is thrilled to be attending the extreme as a freshman. And not to mention, Mi snagged a true jedi-hottie named Brian who she can't wait to get some alone time with while chilling in OC. On top of all of this, Mina's worse enemy Jessica has called a truce. Although Mina doesn't completely trust Jessica, she can't help that she wants to be liked by everyone. Will her need to see the bright side of everything cause turbulence in her world? As usual, Paula Chase has written a great book that embraces assortment. The Del Rio Bay Clique is made up of mix-matched friends who are able to relate to one another despite their differences. I truly love how Paula has meshed suburbia and the hood and came up with books that all teens can relate to. I love this teen series and look forward to finding out what happens next at DRB. Reviewed by Nardsbaby for Urban Reviews

fascinating young adult relationship drama

At Del Rio Bay High School in Maryland, Mina Mooney is euphoric as she has achieved her dream of making the varsity cheer squad that is competing in the Extreme Nationals at O.C. (Ocean City). She knows that being a cheerleader means hanging out with the in crowd, the Upper Circle at DRB. Mina also looks forward to spending more time with her boyfriend Brian. However, not everyone welcomes Mina to the top social rung. The reigning queen Jessica Johnson plans to make trouble for Mina when they are in O.C., but puts on a façade of welcome. Her friends have issues too starting with the feeling Mina dumped them to enter the Upper Circle as they do not have a ticket. Lizzie has met Todd, the first boy to distract her from schoolbooks; Kelly is giving ex-hustler Angel a second chance though she has doubts; and Jacinta is thinking of ending her relationship with Raheem for slapping her. Finally Mina finds Craig hanging around her though she wants Brian. The four best friends need each other, but each member of the Del Rio Bay Clique is distracted. The latest DBR Clique tare (see SO NOT THE DRAMA and DON'T GET IT TWISTED; neither read by me) is a fascinating look at the teen lifestyle in a Maryland high school. The cast is sold though purposely stereotyped to bring out the message that diversity in friendships is good. Readers will see how different the Clique sisters are from one another and yet in spite of their differences and recent spats remain bonded friends. Paula Chase provides a fascinating young adult relationship drama as the quartet struggle with boy problems. Harriet Klausner