"Best Friends for Never" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "Best Friends for Never" by Lisi Harrison, the story revolves around a group of middle school girls, led by Massie Block, who form a clique called "The Pretty Committee." The roles of the characters are clearly defined, with Massie as the queen bee and Claire as the new girl trying to fit in. The other members of the clique, Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen, serve as followers and friends of Massie. Throughout the book, the characters navigate the challenges of middle school friendships and the pressures of popularity.

Character Descriptions

1. Massie Block: Massie is the main protagonist and the leader of "The Pretty Committee." She is described as beautiful, confident, and fashionable. Massie is known for her stylish outfits and her ability to set trends. She is also shown to be manipulative and controlling, using her popularity to maintain her social status.
2. Claire Lyons: Claire is the new girl in school and the primary narrator of the story. She is described as average-looking and initially struggles to fit in with the popular girls. Claire is kind-hearted, intelligent, and often clashes with Massie's domineering personality. She becomes an outcast within the clique but remains determined to find her place.
3. Alicia Rivera: Alicia is one of Massie's closest friends and a fashionista. She is described as stylish and confident, with a flair for drama. Alicia is fiercely loyal to Massie and often acts as her sidekick. However, she occasionally shows moments of independence and challenges Massie's authority.
4. Dylan Marvil: Dylan is known for her love of food and her struggles with body image. She is described as athletic and outgoing. Dylan is often the comic relief in the story, using humor to cope with her insecurities. She is fiercely loyal to Massie but also forms a close friendship with Claire.
5. Kristen Gregory: Kristen is the smartest member of "The Pretty Committee." She is described as organized and studious. Kristen is often the voice of reason within the group, providing practical solutions to their problems. She is loyal to Massie but also values her friendship with Claire.
6. Derrington "Derr" Levy: Derr is a love interest for Massie and is considered a "LBR" or "loser beyond repair" by the popular crowd. He is described as kind-hearted, funny, and down-to-earth. Derr challenges Massie's shallow worldview and becomes a source of conflict within the group.
7. Layne Abeley: Layne is a friend of Claire's and an outcast in the social hierarchy. She is described as quirky and artistic, with a unique sense of style. Layne provides support for Claire and helps her navigate the challenges of fitting in with the popular crowd.
8. Olivia Ryan: Olivia is another friend of Claire's and an outcast. She is described as shy and introverted. Olivia is often overshadowed by her more outgoing friends but provides a quiet strength and loyalty.
9. Josh Hotz: Josh is a love interest for Massie and a popular boy in school. He is described as attractive and charming. Josh's interest in Massie causes tension within the group and leads to jealousy and competition.
10. Kendra Block: Kendra is Massie's mother and a minor character in the story. She is described as fashionable and influential in the social scene. Kendra's presence affects Massie's actions and decisions throughout the book.

Character Traits

• Massie Block: Confident, fashionable, manipulative, controlling.
• Claire Lyons: Kind-hearted, intelligent, determined, clashes with Massie.
• Alicia Rivera: Stylish, confident, loyal, occasionally independent.
• Dylan Marvil: Athletic, outgoing, struggles with body image, comic relief.
• Kristen Gregory: Organized, studious, voice of reason, loyal.
• Derrington Levy: Kind-hearted, funny, down-to-earth, challenges Massie.
• Layne Abeley: Quirky, artistic, supportive friend.
• Olivia Ryan: Shy, introverted, loyal friend.
• Josh Hotz: Attractive, charming, causes tension within the group.
• Kendra Block: Fashionable, influential, affects Massie's decisions.

Character Background

• Massie Block: Massie comes from a wealthy family and is used to being the center of attention. She is accustomed to having control over her social circle and is motivated by maintaining her popularity.
• Claire Lyons: Claire's family recently moved to the town, and she is adjusting to a new school and social environment. She comes from a more modest background, which makes it challenging for her to fit in with the wealthy and fashionable crowd.
• Alicia Rivera: Alicia is also from a wealthy family and has grown up in a privileged environment. She values the status that comes with being part of Massie's clique and is willing to follow her lead.
• Dylan Marvil: Dylan struggles with her body image and often feels insecure about her weight. She uses humor as a defense mechanism and tries to fit in by conforming to Massie's standards of beauty.
• Kristen Gregory: Kristen is known for her intelligence and academic achievements. She values her friendship with Massie and the other girls but also prioritizes her studies and personal growth.
• Derrington Levy: Derr is not part of the popular crowd and is considered an outsider. He challenges Massie's views on popularity and materialism, offering a different perspective on social dynamics.
• Layne Abeley: Layne is an artistic and unique individual who is not concerned with conforming to societal norms. She befriends Claire and provides support as she navigates the challenges of fitting in.
• Olivia Ryan: Olivia is a quiet and loyal friend to Claire. She often goes along with the decisions of the popular girls but provides a steady presence in Claire's life.
• Josh Hotz: Josh is a popular boy who catches Massie's attention. His interest in Massie causes tension within the group and leads to competition between the girls.
• Kendra Block: As Massie's mother, Kendra is influential in the social scene and sets high expectations for her daughter. Massie's desire to please her mother motivates her actions throughout the story.

Character Arcs

• Massie Block: Throughout the book, Massie's character arc revolves around learning the importance of genuine friendships and finding her own identity beyond popularity. She begins to question her actions and the impact they have on others.
• Claire Lyons: Claire's character arc centers around finding confidence and self-acceptance. She learns to stand up for herself and challenges the social norms of the popular clique. By the end of the book, she becomes more comfortable with who she is and finds her place within the group.
• Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil, and Kristen Gregory: While these characters don't experience significant individual character arcs, they all play important supporting roles in Massie and Claire's journeys. They provide insight into the dynamics of the group and demonstrate loyalty and growth throughout the story.
• Derrington Levy: Derr's character arc involves challenging Massie's shallow worldview and encouraging her to see beyond materialistic values. He offers a different perspective on popularity and ultimately helps Massie to grow as a person.

Relationships

• Massie and Claire: Massie and Claire's relationship is at the heart of the story. They start off as adversaries but eventually develop a complex friendship. Massie learns to appreciate Claire's individuality, while Claire gains confidence and finds her place within the group.
• Massie and Alicia, Dylan, Kristen: Massie's relationship with her followers is primarily based on loyalty, with Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen often following her lead. However, as the story progresses, they also challenge Massie's actions and offer support and guidance.
• Massie and Derrington: Massie's relationship with Derrington is complicated due to their different social statuses. Their interactions create tension within the group and force Massie to question her priorities.
• Claire and Layne, Olivia: Claire forms close friendships with Layne and Olivia, who provide support and acceptance. These relationships help Claire navigate the challenges of fitting in with the popular crowd.
• Claire and Massie's Mother: Claire's relationship with Massie's mother, Kendra, influences Massie's actions. Kendra's expectations and influence on Massie's life create pressure within the group.

In conclusion, "Best Friends for Never" by Lisi Harrison explores the dynamics of friendships and the pressures of popularity among a group of middle school girls. The characters, led by protagonist Massie Block and new girl Claire Lyons, navigate their roles within the clique and experience growth and challenges throughout the story. Through their relationships and character arcs, the book delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and self-acceptance.